The InnoView 15.8″ Moveable Monitor is one of the modern entries in the Chinese manufacturer’s growing inventory of lightweight Small Devices, affordable monitors.
Carrying monitors with you can be a frustrating accessory. Too many variables risk dissatisfaction with the product. They may lack performance and features and may only be compatible with some of your devices.
The cumulative use of smartphones and tablets drives the need for mobile solutions, and portable screens like this add more screen real estate and increase productivity.
This is the company’s most extensive display offering. Three other models vary in size and shape at 14″ and 15.6″.
The biggest drawback of the 15.8″ unit is the lack of a touchscreen. But its attractive price and exceptional overall features make this model a must-have option.
Checks Most Boxes
This capable portable board costs $189.99 on Amazon and $179.99 on the manufacturer’s website. It is a plug-and-play USB-C portable screen with Full High Meaning (FHD) display capability with 1920 x 1080 resolution and 300 nits intensity. It produces a 16:9 feature ratio with a 60Hz refresh rate.
This brands the device a suitable secondary monitor, connected to smaller devices with tiny screens. Its display capabilities are pleasing to the eye.
The 15.8″ model is an ultra-thin IPS screen with a viewing angle 178°.
It has two speakers (unknown brand) and three cables that connect most devices. These are a Mini-HDMI to HDMI channel, a USB-C to USB-C cable, and a USB-C to USB-A cable.
This practice requires electrical power. An 18W wall outlet connector and USB cable are included to power the monitor. It has no battery and cannot be powered by the connected computer or tablet, even when the battery is not powering it.
The monitor features a high dynamic range, or HDR, a new display technology that progresses colour presentation. FreeSync and low blue light technology are also integrated to provide a better viewing experience.
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Monitor Build
The monitor has a robust metal construction with skinny bezels on the top and both sides—the bottom bezel measures 1.25″. The case measures 0.212″ wide, 14.37″ x 9″ and weighs 1.5 pounds.
The all-black metal casing is firm and does not bend when held. A thicker casing at the base houses the additional circuitry and mechanisms that make the portable panel plug-and-play. The base also houses two high-fidelity speakers.
There is no MicroSD slot. A 3.5mm headphone jack, a dial button to access settings, and the power button are on the bottom left edge of the base.
On the bottom right edge of the base, when viewed from the front, there is a mini-HDMI port, a USB-C port, and a micro-USB port. One of these ports must have an electrical connection.
Using It
Other than adjusting the display to your needs, no hardware or software configuration is necessary. If you’re connected to a computer, you must open your computer’s display settings to select how you want the panel to respond.
The standard computer setup usually allows the secondary monitor to mirror the contents of the primary screen or viewport that you drag from the primary monitor to the external panel.
Pressing the wheel button on the panel opens a pop-up window at the lower left angle. Use the dial to select the settings you want to adjust. These include image brightness, colour, and audio elements.
Compatibility Matters
This InnoView monitor works with a wide range of computers and mobile devices. Characteristically, Microsoft Windows and Apple computers work with the comprised cables. However, some Apple-specific cables or connectors may be required.
Apple iPhones need an adapter. Some Android smartphones connect, but not all Android builders provide a signal through the USB-C or USB-A port to control the monitor. This could also be a problem with some Android tablets.
The monitor also fixes Xbox, PS3/PS4/PS5, Switches, etc., via USB-C or mini-HDMI ports.
Linux, Too, Mostly
Product information does not include this monitor’s compatibility with Linux. However, in most bags, I learned that the portable panel was fully functional for Linux devices.
The interfering factors are the hardware standards of the computer and the absence of secondary code in the specific Linux kernel that powers the distribution you are using.
For example, when I connected the portable panel to a laptop consecutively, the KDE Neon distribution recognized the external monitor. Still, it only displayed the screen when the settings enabled it. But it automatically turned off the laptop screen.
When connected, the portable panel had a distorted screen. The Chrome OS device also changed the display. Mouse actions have become slow, and open windows are only partially displayed.
Chrome OS, the operating system with the Chrome web browser to optimize Chromebook performance, has no system settings related to dual-monitor display capabilities.
So, while on some Chromebook models, you can drag windows from one screen to another, on other models, you can’t move the mouse pointer beyond the Chromebook’s internal screen.
This phenomenon has also occurred with other portable monitors connected to my Chromebooks.
The portable panel maker has never claimed that the InnoView portable monitor is certified to work with the Linux operating system or Chromebooks. Perhaps Linux certification can now be declared.
Final Thoughts
This portable monitor is a perfect solution to add extra screen space to laptops and moveable devices with small screens. It was not envisioned to be used as a primary monitor.
This model is ideal if you can live without a touch screen. Check out one of the other InnoView portable boards if you need a contact.
If you need a portable expedient for your Chromebook, good luck. Google, which makes Chrome OS, is only now starting to certify screens and other peripherals to work with these computing alternatives.
Two other minor disappointments are at play with this model.
The first is the poor sound quality of the two hi-fi speakers. I found them very spindly due to the lack of a base. It was less boring to listen to a speech. However, playing music was less fun.
The second weakness is the flimsy backing that also serves as a protective cover for the panel. Other InnoView models feature a one-piece metal bar that extends from the edges to form a rigid tripod with the panel.
Instead, this model features a split plastic covered in vinyl (or other material) that folds into a triangular form with the panel resting against the backrest.
