ASUS ZenScreen MB249C 24-inch Portable USB-C Monitor: features and who it suits

The ASUS ZenScreen MB249C is a 23.8-inch Full HD portable monitor designed as a second screen for a laptop. It is slim at 7.6 mm, weighs 2.8 kg according to ASUS, and comes with several ways to stand or attach it. It suits anyone who wants more screen space at home, in an office or in a shared workspace.

A large screen that still moves

Most portable monitors are 15 or 16 inches. This one is 23.8 inches, so it is closer to a regular desktop display, but ASUS keeps it light enough to carry with an integrated handle. It is better described as transportable than pocketable. A 2.8 kg weight and a width of about 21 inches suggest it is meant to go between rooms or desks rather than into a small laptop bag.

The panel is IPS, a type that typically keeps colour and brightness consistent from wide viewing angles, with Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution and an anti-glare coating. The frameless design is meant to make two screens side by side look more continuous.

Stand and mounting options

The stand design is the main feature. The listing names three:

• Kickstand with carrying handle. The integrated handle doubles as a kickstand for desk use.
• Height-adjustable C-clamp arm. It clamps to a desk edge and has Z-axis adjustment, which frees up desk space and lets you move the screen closer or further away.
• Partition hook kit. This lets the monitor hang on the edge of a cubicle or office partition.

Which is right depends on where you work. A clamp suits a fixed desk, the hook suits a shared office, and the kickstand suits temporary use.

Connections and power

The MB249C has a full-function USB-C port with 60-watt power delivery, an HDMI input and an earphone jack. Full-function USB-C usually means one cable can carry video from a compatible laptop and supply power to it. Sixty watts covers many thin-and-light laptops but not larger ones, which may need their own charger. HDMI is for computers without USB-C video output. A speaker is also noted in the product name.

Who it suits

It fits people who work from home or in several spots and want a bigger second display without installing a permanent one. It is also useful for students, hot-desking and anyone who regularly moves their setup. People who need very high resolution or fast gaming refresh rates should look at the specs carefully, since this is a Full HD office-style panel.

What to check before you buy

• Whether your laptop's USB-C port supports video output and whether 60W is enough to power it.
• The space it needs: about 21 in wide and 13.6 in tall.
• Which stand option you will use. The clamp needs a suitable desk edge and the hook needs a suitable partition.
• What comes in the box, including cables, and whether you need an adapter.
• Whether you need a screen with higher resolution for photo or design work.

The short version

• 23.8-inch Full HD IPS portable monitor, 7.6 mm thick and 2.8 kg per ASUS.
• Kickstand and carrying handle, C-clamp arm and partition hook included.
• USB-C with 60W power delivery, HDMI and an earphone jack.
• Anti-glare frameless panel, with a three-year warranty.

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