I just recently got a NUC, which has blown away my old laptop so far.  I've been nothing short of pleased.

However, as I do travel a bit, lugging around a normal monitor would be cumbersome.  I've purchased a very portable travel keyboard/touchpad, and I'd like to find a monitor that I can carry in my laptop bag when I do travel.  Something ~18" or less.

Anyone have any experience using portable monitors?  Any recommendations?  I'm not looking to break the bank, but if I've got to shell out a couple hundred for it, I can.  Even with that, the whole setup would be cheaper than getting a new laptop with comparable specs (NUC was $240).

Appreciate the help!

Interesting question.  I've thought about getting a tablet to use as a second monitor, figuring I could connect to my laptop via bluetooth.

But looks like there are actually larger, and more affordable true "portable monitors" out there.

I didn't even know these existed. 

Quick search shows Newegg has some nice options.

posted by gut

Interesting question.  I've thought about getting a tablet to use as a second monitor, figuring I could connect to my laptop via bluetooth.

But looks like there are actually larger, and more affordable true "portable monitors" out there.

I'd never thought about it before this little computer, either.  When I thought about it, though, it seemed like an intriguing prospect.  Having something something more robust and more able to spread out but just as portable as a laptop.
 

posted by Automatik

I didn't even know these existed. 

Quick search shows Newegg has some nice options.

Yeah, I did see that.  Amazon has some options, too.  Thing is, since I've never looked for anything like this, I have no idea what I'd be looking for.  It seems like several of them actually function with nothing but a USB connection, but I'd have to imagine that a USB cord will have lag and resolution issues that VGA and HDMI won't have ... but I guess I'm just assuming?  I dunno.

posted by O-Trap

I'd never thought about it before this little computer, either.  When I thought about it, though, it seemed like an intriguing prospect.  Having something something more robust and more able to spread out but just as portable as a laptop.

I've thought about those NUC's in the past.  Decided against it because I use my laptop as an actual laptop far too much, on planes, too.

Let me know what you get and how it works.  One hang-up for me is whether I want one with it's own power supply (if they exist).  Don't really want to run it off my laptop battery or be forced to otherwise always plug-in the laptop.  Might go the tablet route, after all.

posted by gut

I've thought about those NUC's in the past.  Decided against it because I use my laptop as an actual laptop far too much, on planes, too.

Let me know what you get and how it works.  One hang-up for me is whether I want one with it's own power supply (if they exist).  Don't really want to run it off my laptop battery or be forced to otherwise always plug-in the laptop.  Might go the tablet route, after all.

I went the NUC route precisely because I find myself using my laptop as a PC 99% of the time, plugged into my mouse, keyboard, and monitor sitting shut in my office for weeks at a time.  The biggest advantage to the laptop for me has been that when I hook up the television to watch a movie or show on the TV, I have a keyboard built in.  And that I don't have to restart it when I get it downstairs and plugged back in.  But I only do that a handful of times every few weeks.

Certainly, if you use your laptop as a laptop more often (on a plane, as you mention), the NUC makes no sense.  Even if you find a way to make it portable, it probably won't be as convenient as a laptop or tablet.

I never feel comfortable enough using a laptop on a plane.  Then again, I usually fly economy, so almost nobody is comfortable.

posted by O-Trap

I never feel comfortable enough using a laptop on a plane.  Then again, I usually fly economy, so almost nobody is comfortable.

That's why I got an XPS 13.   My old 13.3" was borderline too large, and 15" definitely too big for a plane.  Trade-off as you get older is a 13" screen is kind of small.

Clients don't always have the resources I'd like, so that's why I'm looking for something like a 15" portable monitor.  Pretty much always end-up working off a laptop - forgot how nice an actual desktop spread out is.   I did get myself a wireless mouse a few years ago, which was like "why was I too stupid to do this sooner?".

posted by gut

That's why I got an XPS 13.   My old 13.3" was borderline too large, and 15" definitely too big for a plane.  Trade-off as you get older is a 13" screen is kind of small.

Clients don't always have the resources I'd like, so that's why I'm looking for something like a 15" portable monitor.  Pretty much always end-up working off a laptop - forgot how nice an actual desktop spread out is.   I did get myself a wireless mouse a few years ago, which was like "why was I too stupid to do this sooner?".

Embarrassingly, I still haven't done that.  I usually try to stay on top of advancing tech in tools, but one thing I've carried with me for over a decade now is my stupid trackball mouse.  I've gotten used to using the trackball with my index finger as opposed to thumb, which most seem to be built for now.  It's the one little area where I fall back to being a creature of habit.

You're absolutely right, though, about being able to spread out a bit.  For my last trip to San Francisco, even though I was still using a laptop at the time, I lugged my mouse, keyboard, and a USB cable with me, and I hooked up to a television while I was there.  I just can't get comfortable working in such a small space anymore.

That, and my home setup has always been a little spoiling.  About four years ago, I won a 4K 40" television at a Christmas party.  Since our television in the living room was already bigger, and almost none of what we watch is 4K anyway, I've been using it as my monitor.  Between that, the robust keyboard, my old-ass (but favorite) mouse, a decent machine, and a big whiteboard on my wall, I have a better setup in my home office than I've ever had in any office I used at an actual workplace.

This last month, we had an on-location FFL draft in Indiana.  I brought the giant monitor and keyboard, because it was what I had.  The smaller one and a portable screen would have been a MUCH better choice ... and I would have gotten far less ribbing from the other managers for it.  lol

posted by O-Trap

That, and my home setup has always been a little spoiling. 

When I started working from home more, years ago, I got into the bad habit of always working on a laptop (because it was all I had).  I sit on my couch or recliner and work on a laptop exclusively.

Some day soon I will probably set-up a proper office for myself.  Working for hours at a time on a laptop on a chair is all kinds of bad for posture.

On the mouse, I got a logitech bluetooth (so no transmitter to plug in).  Runs on two AA batteries, lasts about a year.  Just turn the power switch on and it's almost flawless auto-connecting to my laptop.  Sensor is good on all kinds of surfaces, too.

posted by gut

When I started working from home more, years ago, I got into the bad habit of always working on a laptop (because it was all I had).  I sit on my couch or recliner and work on a laptop exclusively.

Some day soon I will probably set-up a proper office for myself.  Working for hours at a time on a laptop on a chair is all kinds of bad for posture.

I started out doing that when I lost my job back in 2009.  I had a tiny little laptop that I used to apply for jobs and build a small business, and I usually did it sitting on the couch and putting the laptop on the coffee table.  I know exactly what you mean about posture, and I imagine that would only be worse today, being almost ten years older.