AOC and GeChic recently introduced a pair of portable, USB-powered displays. GeChic’s On-Lap 1502I boasts a 1920x1080 resolution and 10-point multi-touch. AOC’s E1659FWU delivers simplicity and a low price. We compare their display performance today.
Back in March, I wrote GeChic On-Lap 2501M 15.6" Battery-Powered Monitor, Tested, finding the 2501M to be an interesting, if not high-priced product. With the myriad of smartphone and tablet choices you have, a portable monitor is more of a niche accessory than an indispensable addition to the 'ol gadget bag.
AOC E1659FWU
Today, we're looking at AOC’s E1659FWU, which checks in at a more value-conscious $130 and offers utter simplicity of operation. Install the drivers, plug in the USB 3.0 cable, and you’re ready to work. We also have another unit from GeChic, the On-Lap 1502I, selling at much higher price point. The On-Lap comes loaded with more features, though. It's a 1920x1080 IPS-based screen, for starters; AOC makes do with a TN panel at 1366x768. At 15.6 inches, GeChic's pixel density is in Retina territory: 144 ppi. It’s also a capacitive touchscreen with 10-point multi-touch support in Windows 8.
GeChic On-Lap 1502I
Both products come as complete kits; all you need is a source. The E1659FWU only works with a computer, since its lone input is USB. The necessary cable is included, along with a carrying case. The On-Lap 1502I accommodates computers, gaming consoles, and even standalone Blu-ray players. All the cables come bundled, along with a very cool stand. Unlike its predecessor, the On-Lap 2501M, there’s no internal battery. Power comes from either the connected computer or a wall outlet. The main attraction here is touchscreen support and a native 1080p resolution. Believe us, though; you pay handsomely for those capabilities.
| Brand | AOC | GeChic |
|---|---|---|
| Model | E1659FWU | On-Lap 1502I |
| Street Price | $130 | $400 |
| Panel Type | TN | IPS |
| Touchscreen | - | Projected capacitive 10-point multi-touch |
| Backlight | W-LED | W-LED |
| Screen Size | 15.6" | 15.6" |
| Max Resolution | 1366x768 | 1920x1080 |
| Max Refresh Rate | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:9 | 16:9 |
| Response Time (GTG) | - | 17.5 |
| Brightness (cd/m2) | 200 | 220 |
| Speakers | - | 2 x 1 W |
| VGA | - | 1 |
| DVI | - | - |
| DisplayPort | - | - |
| HDMI | - | 1 w/MHL |
| Headphone | - | 1 |
| USB Input | 1, v3.0 micro | 1 |
| Dimensions W x H x D | 14.8 x 9.2 x .9 in 375 x 234 x 23 mm | 16.9 x 9.8 x .4 in 430 x 248 x 10 mm |
| Warranty | Three years | Three years |
You probably wouldn't expect the performance of a desktop display from a portable panel. But the pricing (particularly what GeChic wants for its On-Lap 1502I) suggests otherwise. In a time when even the cheapest monitors we test turn in excellent results, there’s no reason we can’t hold portables to the same standards.
GeChic takes steps in the right direction with a Full-HD IPS screen and a usable and practical OSD. AOC, ostensibly to keep its price down, forgoes the adjustments and the extra inputs. The company also leans on a TN panel as the basis for its E1659FWU. Straight-up, this is a six-bit part with no dithering, so the available color palette extends to 262,144 shades. As it turns out, GeChic’s offering is also natively six-bit-capable.
Since these are essentially laptop-style displays, they use laptop-oriented components. That is why their color bit depth and gamut volume are smaller. As you'll see on page seven, neither product renders the entire sRGB color space. Why'd the two companies choose the hardware they did? Mainly as a result of lower power consumption and heat output. The extra processing power required to manage an eight-bit color palette would have added bulk. And even a USB 3.0 connection like the one AOC uses only allows 1.5 A of maximum current.
- AOC E1659FWU And GeChic On-Lap 1502I, Two Portable Monitors
- Packaging, Physical Layout, And Accessories
- Setting Up The AOC E1659FWI And GeChic On-Lap 1502I
- Measurement And Calibration Methodology: How We Test
- Results: Brightness And Contrast
- Results: Grayscale Tracking And Gamma Response
- Results: Color Gamut And Performance
- Results: Viewing Angle And Uniformity
- Results: Pixel Response And Input Lag
- Two Portable Monitors: Simple Value Or Touchscreen Luxury
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).
-Christian-
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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