Tech

This flip-out mobile monitor is my secret productivity weapon


A MacBook Pro with Mobile Pixels Duex Plus display extended to the right.

Jun Wan/ZDNET

Since the pre-pandemic days, I have had a predestined relationship with Multi-monitor setup. The strategic placement of a given space-based screen (aka my desk) is like one of life’s puzzles — the ultimate reward is the joy of productivity.

Naturally, there was a void in my multitasking heart as remote work turned to hybrid work, and the fear of power outages gradually turned into fear of bad weather and missing the commuter bus.

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That’s probably exaggerating it, but I’d be lying if I said I’m as productive on a single laptop as I am when I’m working with two or three monitors that blow up windows. window before my eyes.

In my quest for productivity solutions on the go, I found Mobile Pixels, which introduced me to Duex Plus Screen during CES earlier this year.

Unlike traditional portable monitors, Duex Plus attaches to the back of your laptop via magnets and can be stretched out and angled for your viewing pleasure.

Monitor $279.99 (I’m seeing one for as low as $239.99 at the time of writing) imperfect by any means; it lacks touchscreen support, doesn’t have the most accurate colors, and is barely adequate for outdoor viewing. But if you want to set up two monitors without the hassle of carrying a separate monitor, this is the best it can be.

Screen Setup

At first glance, you’d think setting up Duex Plus would be pretty complicated, but that’s far from happening — at least for me. This package includes a sliding display, four magnets, an alcohol wipe, and a USB-C to USB-A/C cable. To install, you start by wiping dust and dirt off the surface of your laptop. Mobile Pixels says the Duex Plus will work with any model ranging in size from 13 inches to 16 inches. I tested it with a MacBook Pro 16 inch.

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After cleaning, you place four magnets along dedicated spots on the Duex Plus’ base, remove the adhesive covers, and place the display in the center of the laptop. Keep in mind that even after you’ve attached the magnet to the laptop case, you can still lift it out and flip the screen to the side where you want it to slide out.

The top of the Mobile Pixels Duex Plus is attached to the MacBook.

The monitor weighs about 1.3 pounds, and it’s no surprise that it adds a bit of mass to your laptop.

Jun Wan/ZDNET

Duex Plus works on both Windows and Mac laptops, and getting screen output is as simple as connecting it via USB-C. You don’t have to use an HDMI cable, which is great. Once I had everything set up, I simply pulled the display away from the side and my MacBook automatically detected it, configuring the display with its default 1080p resolution and color profile.

Jun Wan/ZDNET

Usability and performance

At this point, Duex Plus is what you make of it, whether you use it to span multiple windows, as a dedicated Nintendo Switch display, or to broadcast presentations to a conference room by rotating counterclockwise. lake. My typical work setup includes having my content management system open on my laptop’s home screen and the split-screen layout of Slack and any other related websites on Duex Plus. This way, I can focus on what’s in front of me while having quick access to exchanges in the background.

Also: 10 best big monitors you can buy

I also found Duex Plus to be very useful when editing videos. Now, I’m no creative expert and by no means recommend a portable monitor for your 4K/8K movie production, but having a larger real estate to stretch the timeline and move switching workspaces freely has been enough to enhance my editing workflow. The same goes for photo editing. And for what it’s worth, you can manually adjust the display settings (contrast, saturation, brightness, etc.) of the Duex Plus using the physical buttons on the back of the display.

Edit videos on Mobile Pixels Duex Plus

Jun Wan/ZDNET

Probably the biggest question I had when testing was how the additional display would consume the battery. When the Duex Plus was constantly on and its brightness set to maximum, I found the battery to drop 6%-7% per hour, which is about the same number I get with other portable displays. Remember this is with 16-inch MacBook Pro M1so your number may change.

bottom line

Mobile screens come in all shapes and sizes, but the sliding mechanism of the Mobile Pixels Duex Plus is perhaps the most seamless way to integrate a second display with your laptop. It’s not the only one mobile screen to flaunt such a form factor, and list price $279.99 not cheap — you can grab one kickstand monitor for less, but Duex Plus is a thoughtful design, like any machine you attach it to, Windows or Mac.

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