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Two Portable Monitors: Simple Value Or Touchscreen Luxury

AOC E1659FWU And GeChic On-Lap 1502I: Portable Monitors, To Go
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GeChic has always been a niche company, creating interesting products for enthusiasts looking for unique technology. While the adoption of Windows 8 has been relatively slow, it's one of those companies answering the call with touchscreens ready to support the new OS. This tech doesn’t come cheap, and the On-Lap 1502I is a perfect example. At $400, it will set you back almost as much as an iPad.

With the On-Lap 1502I, GeChic raises the bar not only with touchscreen support, but also a decent IPS panel at its core. Grayscale and gamma performance are impressive, as is the inclusion of calibration controls. Overall brightness and contrast are also improved. The only flaw worth pointing out is the under-saturated color gamut. Considering the color quality of even value-oriented desktop displays in today’s market, there’s no excuse for a portable monitor at this price point that can’t come close to the sRGB standard.

The On-Lap’s versatility is certainly a positive in its favor. You can connect just about anything to it, even an analog source. And power can come either from your computer’s USB port or a wall plug. There’s no battery, but the 1502I is slimmer and lighter as a result. We’re also impressed with the full complement of accessories included. All the necessary cables come bundled, along with a very nice stand. The only thing you might purchase separately is a VESA mount.

AOC takes a much more minimalist approach with its E1659FWU. All of the magic happens through a single USB 3.0 input, so there’s only one cable to carry. You do need to address driver installation before using the E1659FWU, whereas GeChic's On-Lap is plug-and-play. The biggest draw for this product is its low price. For $130, you get 15.6-inch monitor that’s lightweight and easy to set up. AOC even includes a nice carrying case. And if you need a larger screen, it sells a 22-inch E2251FWU for $200.

For our standards, the E1659FWU falls short in most performance areas. It’s not quite bright enough to overcome the viewing angle issues of a TN panel. And its lack of color temp adjustments means you have to accept its overly cool white balance. Like the GeChic, it too has an under-saturated color gamut. Nearly every computer and video source conforms to the sRGB gamut. We believe every display should too.

It’s difficult to recommend one of these portables over the other. One costs more than twice as much as the other, so they don't really compete. If you need a cheap solution that’s quick and easy, and are willing to tolerate the shortcomings we've identified, go for the AOC. If you want a touchscreen with more versatility, choose the GeChic. There’s no doubt that GeChic offers the better-performing panel. But you pay dearly for that step up. Viewed purely as a workplace tool, AOC's solution is fine, and has less of an impact on your wallet.

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  • 0 Hide
    g-unit1111 , January 2, 2014 12:58 AM
    Interesting, I'm interested in getting one of the USB displays but the resolution is keeping me from purchasing one. I'd like to see how the AOC monitor compares to the ones being offered from Asus, HP, Dell, and so on and so forth.
  • 0 Hide
    mathew7 , January 2, 2014 3:47 AM
    So....I am looking for a few years for a small (15" would be limit) portable VGA+HDMI monitor (as in not a bulky stand). I don't need FullHD resolution, but it should accept it.

    In a related note, I have been thinking about a laptop-styled monitor+keyboard (and maybe mouse/touchpad) but to be plugged into a desktop PC. You know...when you receive a PC case (or go to someone) and have to debug it. But again, 15" is already big (I'm using a 12.5" thinkpad when not at my gaming/workstation PC).
  • 0 Hide
    Amdlova , January 2, 2014 4:45 AM
    can connect to smart phone!???
  • 0 Hide
    ceberle , January 2, 2014 9:16 AM
    You can connect the On-Lap to a phone or tablet via its HDMI/MHL port. The AOC will only work via USB.

    -Christian-
  • 0 Hide
    Nicolai8086 , January 2, 2014 10:47 PM
    When can we expect a Miracast (or WiDi) version of these screens?
  • 0 Hide
    CrisCrossed , January 3, 2014 7:19 AM
    Two words:
    Able HD
    http://www.able-hd.com
    One of the most funded projects on kickstarter. These guys make portable monitors that are HD and really cheap. Unfortunately, they still have their flaws (the circuit board is exposed and not attached to the screen) but you cannot beat the price/performance.
  • 0 Hide
    Nicolai8086 , January 3, 2014 7:23 AM
    The weight is impressive, but i wouldn't call 17" portable.
  • 0 Hide
    g-unit1111 , January 3, 2014 10:00 AM
    Quote:
    Two words:
    Able HD
    http://www.able-hd.com
    One of the most funded projects on kickstarter. These guys make portable monitors that are HD and really cheap. Unfortunately, they still have their flaws (the circuit board is exposed and not attached to the screen) but you cannot beat the price/performance.


    I have to say after reading about these that I do want one. When my laptop's primary display is 1920 x 1080, why would I want to add a second monitor that's 1366 x 720?
  • 1 Hide
    egaskill , January 3, 2014 11:12 AM
    Portable display for Raspberry Pi?
  • 0 Hide
    CrisCrossed , January 3, 2014 12:15 PM
    Quote:
    I have to say after reading about these that I do want one. When my laptop's primary display is 1920 x 1080, why would I want to add a second monitor that's 1366 x 720?

    I'm sorry, I mistyped. The monitor is actually a FHD (1080p) display, and it comes in 15.6 and 17 inch screens. I hope this helps. I'm ordering mine soon to use with a LAN box.
  • 0 Hide
    CrisCrossed , January 3, 2014 12:15 PM
    Quote:
    I have to say after reading about these that I do want one. When my laptop's primary display is 1920 x 1080, why would I want to add a second monitor that's 1366 x 720?

    I'm sorry, I mistyped. The monitor is actually a FHD (1080p) display, and it comes in 15.6 and 17 inch screens. I hope this helps. I'm ordering mine soon to use with a LAN box.
  • 0 Hide
    CrisCrossed , January 3, 2014 12:16 PM
    I apologize for the double (now triple) post - toms hardware keeps reloading on me.
  • -1 Hide
    gondor , January 3, 2014 12:49 PM
    Too expensive (that damn thing costs more than a Nexus 5 with better specs ?!), too weak hardware (why go for Snapdragon 600 when 800 can easily fit into desktop form factor, given that it works just fine in mobile phones ?).

    Hopefully this thing has (micro)SD card support and unlocked bootloader. Wired networking support woudl be a big plus too.

    If folks at Acer come to their senses regarding the pricing and the SoC.and sort out the feature set they might just be able to start the new PC revolution IT analysts have been predicting for 2015(-ish), one without x86 and Microsoft's Windows. With Ubuntu working on their mobile touch-enabled OS I can see them clinching a piece of the pie too.
  • 0 Hide
    rwinches , January 4, 2014 2:01 AM
    1080p
    ASUS $219
    http://www.amazon.com/MB168B-15-6-Inch-Screen-LED-Lit-Monitor/dp/B00H0FK2A6/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1388829044&sr=1-2&keywords=asus+usb+monitor
  • 0 Hide
    waynesjw , February 27, 2014 4:52 PM
    Quote:
    So....I am looking for a few years for a small (15" would be limit) portable VGA+HDMI monitor (as in not a bulky stand). I don't need FullHD resolution, but it should accept it.In a related note, I have been thinking about a laptop-styled monitor+keyboard (and maybe mouse/touchpad) but to be plugged into a desktop PC. You know...when you receive a PC case (or go to someone) and have to debug it. But again, 15" is already big (I'm using a 12.5" thinkpad when not at my gaming/workstation PC).
    Check out Gechic's other products on Amazon and www.Icitouchtech.com
  • 1 Hide
    waynesjw , February 27, 2014 4:53 PM
    Quote:
    Portable display for Raspberry Pi?
    Ya, Gechic 13.3" 1302 would be perfect for that. VGA or HDMI input
  • 1 Hide
    Viviian , March 20, 2014 3:13 PM
    found this amazon link helpfulhttp://www.amazon.com/Projected-Capacitive-Touchscreen-Compatible-thickness/dp/B00DS18ZTG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1395338266&sr=8-2&keywords=gechic