ASUS ZenScreen MB16ACV: 15.6-inch USB portable monitor explained

The ASUS ZenScreen MB16ACV is a slim 15.6-inch portable monitor that adds a second screen to a laptop. It takes both power and the picture over a single USB cable, so it needs no separate power supply. ASUS positions it for working remotely or for gaming on the move.

What a portable monitor is for

A second display lets you keep reference material, chat or a spreadsheet beside the main window without constant switching. Because this monitor is light and thin, it is designed to be carried with a laptop and set up at a desk, in a hotel room or at a shared workspace.

The panel

The screen is 15.6 inches, with a 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) resolution on an IPS panel. IPS panels typically have wide viewing angles and steady colour when seen from the side, which suits a screen that may be angled on a table. ASUS rates brightness at 250 cd/m², which is comfortable in normal indoor lighting, but is likely to look dim in strong daylight. The brand also lists the panel as flicker free.

One cable for power and display

The listing says it takes power and display through either USB-C or USB-A. In general, USB-C connections work when the laptop's port supports video output (often described as DisplayPort Alt Mode) and can supply enough power. A USB-A connection usually relies on a software display driver, which can add a little delay and uses the computer's processor. Check your laptop's specifications for which of these it supports.

Size and weight

The listing gives roughly 11.0 x 16.9 inches for the screen body and a weight of 1.8 lb (about 0.8 kg), with the stand depth around 3.1 inches. That makes it easy to slide in a backpack alongside a laptop, but the 15.6-inch size is close to many laptops' screens.

Using it for work and play

ASUS suggests telework or gaming. For work, a matching-size second screen is handy for video calls with documents open beside them. For gaming, the Full HD resolution suits laptops and consoles, but check that the source device can send a video signal over USB.

Who it suits

It suits remote workers, students, and anyone who uses a laptop in more than one place and wants extra screen space without carrying a full-size monitor.

What to check before you buy

• Port support: confirm your laptop's USB-C port supports video output, or that you can use the USB-A route with the right driver.
• Power draw: a laptop that is also charging may need a powered hub or a second cable.
• Operating system: check that your system supports the needed drivers or settings.
• Brightness: 250 cd/m² suits indoor use more than bright rooms.
• Cable and stand: check what comes in the box, as the listing doesn't say.
• Console or phone use: these may need extra adapters or power.

The short version

• A 15.6-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS portable monitor.
• 250 cd/m² brightness and a flicker-free panel.
• Power and display over USB-C or USB-A.
• About 1.8 lb for carrying with a laptop.
• Confirm that your device supports video over USB before choosing.

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