ASUS ZenScreen MB16ACE 15.6-Inch Portable Monitor: specs and who it suits

The ASUS ZenScreen MB16ACE is a 15.6-inch portable monitor that adds a second screen to a laptop. It is thin and light enough to carry in a bag, and it connects with a single cable. This page covers what its features mean and what to confirm before pairing it with your laptop.

Display: 15.6-inch Full HD IPS

The MB16ACE has a Full HD panel (1920 x 1080 pixels) using IPS technology. IPS panels typically hold their colours and brightness well when viewed from the side, which matters for a screen that sits at an angle next to a laptop. ASUS lists an anti-glare surface, which generally reduces reflections in bright rooms, and an eye-care feature set.

At 15.6 inches, it matches the size of many laptop screens, so a laptop and monitor side by side look consistent.

Slim and light

ASUS describes the monitor as ultra-slim and ultraportable, about 0.3 inch (roughly 8 mm) thick, and 1.5 lb according to the description (the dimension table lists 1.6 lb). It measures about 8.9 x 14.2 inches (22.6 x 36 cm). That is small enough to slide into a laptop sleeve, which suits client meetings, travel and shared workspaces.

One cable for power and video

The headline feature is ASUS's hybrid-signal design. A single USB cable carries both power and the video signal, so there is no separate power adapter. ASUS says this works with laptops that have either a USB Type-C or a Type-A port. In general, a USB-C port needs to support video output (often called DisplayPort Alt Mode) for this to work, while the Type-A route relies on a software driver. It is worth checking your laptop's port specifications.

Because the monitor draws power from the laptop, expect some extra drain on the laptop's battery while it is connected.

Auto-rotation and the folding case

The built-in sensor detects the monitor's orientation and switches between landscape and portrait automatically. Portrait mode suits reading documents, code or long web pages.

The included foldable case doubles as a stand. ASUS says it can prop the screen up in either portrait or landscape. That means you don't need to carry a separate stand.

Who it suits

It fits people who work across two screens away from a desk: those who travel, hot-desk or present, as well as anyone who wants a movable second display at home. It is not designed as a replacement for a large desktop monitor.

What to check before you buy

• Laptop ports: confirm that your USB-C port supports video output, or that your Type-A setup is supported by the drivers.
• Power draw: check your laptop's battery and port power output, since the monitor is powered through the cable.
• Operating system: check ASUS's compatibility notes for your system.
• Cables in the box: check which cables and adapters are included.
• Promotional offers: the listing mentions a three-month software subscription, valid only through 8/31/2024, so it has expired.
• Warranty: the listing mentions a three-year warranty, but confirm the terms for your region.

The short version

• A 15.6-inch Full HD IPS portable monitor with an anti-glare surface.
• About 0.3 inch thin and 1.5 to 1.6 lb.
• One USB cable can carry both power and video on compatible laptops, via Type-C or Type-A.
• Auto-rotates between landscape and portrait.
• The included case folds into a stand.

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