ASUS ZenScreen Touch MB16AMTR 15.6-inch Portable Touch Monitor: specs and fit

The ASUS ZenScreen Touch MB16AMTR is a slim 15.6-inch portable monitor that connects to a laptop, phone, tablet or game console over a single cable. It gives a small second screen to anyone who works or plays away from a desk, and its touch panel and built-in battery mean it can be used without a wall socket nearby.

A thin panel built to travel

ASUS lists the monitor at about 0.5 inches (roughly 1.3 cm) thick and 2.5 lb (about 1.1 kg), with outer dimensions of 14.2 by 8.9 inches. That is close to the footprint of a 15-inch laptop, so it typically slips into the same bag. The screen is an IPS panel at Full HD (1920 x 1080). IPS panels are known for wide viewing angles and steady colour when seen from the side, which suits a screen that is often propped at an angle on a table.

What 10-point touch lets you do

The panel recognises up to ten simultaneous touches. ASUS says it supports swipe, scroll, drag and pinch gestures, the same actions you would use on a tablet or phone. On a laptop running a touch-aware system, that means you can scroll a document or zoom a map directly on the second screen. On a phone or tablet, it can act as a larger display. How well touch works depends on the host device and its software, so it's worth checking that yours supports touch input over USB-C.

The built-in battery

A 7800 mAh battery is built in, and ASUS rates it for up to four hours of use. Battery life in practice depends on brightness and what is connected, so treat four hours as the brand's figure, not a promise. The battery matters mainly for devices that can't power a screen, such as some phones and consoles. When a laptop supplies power over USB-C, the monitor can typically run from that connection instead.

Ports and stands

The monitor uses a hybrid-signal USB-C port, which carries video through DisplayPort Alt mode along with a USB signal, plus a mini-HDMI port. USB-C works with many recent laptops, tablets and some phones, while mini-HDMI covers devices without video over USB-C, such as many consoles and older laptops. A mini-HDMI cable may be needed, so look at what is in the box.

An integrated kickstand lets the screen sit in landscape or portrait. Portrait suits long documents, code or chat windows. A tripod socket is also included, which allows mounting at a more comfortable height.

Who it suits

It fits people who travel with a laptop, work from shared spaces, or want a compact extra screen for a console or phone. For a fixed desk where a full-size monitor is available, a larger display would offer more space.

What to check before you buy

• Confirm your laptop, phone or tablet supports video output over USB-C (DisplayPort Alt mode), or has an HDMI output you can adapt.
• Check that your device supports touch input over the connection if touch matters to you.
• Look at what cables and accessories are included, and whether you need a mini-HDMI cable.
• Consider the screen size: 15.6 inches is compact, and Full HD is the only resolution listed.
• Think about how long you need to run without power, given the four-hour battery figure.
• Check that a tripod you might use has a standard socket that matches.

The short version

• 15.6-inch Full HD IPS portable monitor, about 0.5 inches thick and 2.5 lb.
• 10-point touch with swipe, scroll, drag and pinch gestures.
• Built-in 7800 mAh battery, rated by ASUS at up to four hours.
• Hybrid USB-C and mini-HDMI inputs, kickstand for landscape or portrait, tripod socket.
• A three-year warranty is mentioned in the product title.

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