ASUS ZenScreen MB166C 15.6-inch Portable USB-C Monitor: specs and who it suits

The ASUS ZenScreen MB166C is a slim 15.6-inch portable monitor that connects through a single USB Type-C cable. It adds a second screen to a laptop for remote work, travel or a small desk, and it packs flat enough to go in a laptop bag. Here is what its main specifications mean.

The panel: 15.6 inches, Full HD, IPS

The screen has a 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) resolution on an IPS panel, with a brightness of 250 cd/m² according to ASUS. IPS panels typically keep colours and brightness consistent from wider viewing angles than other common panel types, which matters when a screen sits beside a laptop and is seen slightly from the side.

A brightness of 250 cd/m² is reasonable for indoor use. In direct sunlight, any screen at that level is hard to read. The anti-glare surface cuts reflections from windows and room lights.

One cable for power and picture

The MB166C uses a USB Type-C connector with DisplayPort Alt Mode. In practice, a laptop whose USB-C port supports video output can send the image and power the monitor over the same cable. Not every USB-C port can do this. Some carry only data or charge only, so it's worth checking the laptop's specifications. ASUS also notes that real transfer speeds over USB depend on the host device and its configuration.

Comfort features

ASUS lists TÜV Rheinland-certified Flicker-free and Low Blue Light technologies on its Eye Care monitors and describes them as supporting a comfortable viewing experience. The certification is a third-party test of those two features. It's a statement about the display's design, not a medical claim.

Orientation, sleeve and tripod socket

DisplayWidget software lets the monitor sense its orientation and switch between landscape and portrait modes automatically. Portrait suits long documents, code and web pages.

The foldable sleeve works as a cover for travel and as a stand. A tripod socket is built into the rear, so you can mount it on a camera tripod or a monitor arm that accepts that thread. The monitor measures about 16.9 x 11.8 x 3.1 inches in its packaging dimensions and weighs 3.5 lb. ASUS backs it with a three-year warranty.

Who it suits

It suits people who work from a laptop and want more screen space on the move, such as remote workers, students and anyone who shares a small desk. It also works as a second display for a compatible phone or handheld console, if the device can output video over USB-C.

What to check before you buy

• USB-C video support: confirm that your laptop's port supports DisplayPort Alt Mode, or that you have a suitable adapter.
• Power draw: powering the screen from the laptop shortens battery life, so keep a charger nearby.
• Resolution: Full HD is sharp at 15.6 inches, but it is not a high-density screen.
• Software: DisplayWidget is needed for the automatic orientation switch.
• Stand or arm: check the sleeve's angles suit your desk, or whether you want a tripod or arm.
• What's in the box: check which cables are included.

The short version

• A 15.6-inch Full HD IPS portable monitor with an anti-glare surface.
• USB Type-C with DisplayPort Alt Mode for power and picture.
• TÜV Rheinland-certified Flicker-free and Low Blue Light technologies.
• Automatic landscape and portrait switching through DisplayWidget.
• Foldable sleeve, rear tripod socket and a three-year warranty.

Bloiq is reader-supported. Some links may earn us a commission; it never affects what we write. How we make money.