We’ve seen several options in portable monitors that you can use to augment your laptop’s display on-the-go. They work well enough, but wouldn’t it be better if your portable monitor is integrated right into the laptop’s body? That’s exactly what Mobile Pixels bring with the DUO.
Like other portable monitors, it’s a plug-and-play display that you can use to extend your workspace, mirror your display, or just watch a movie while working (yeah, it wasn’t meant for that, but we all do it). Unlike them, it’s designed to install right on the laptop, essentially making it part of the notebook, ready to be deployed any time you need a secondary isplay.
The DUO is a USB-C monitor that measures 12.8 x 8.6 x 0.48 inches, allowing it to mount on the back of your laptop’s display without adding much bulk. That’s right, it mounts on your laptop’s lid using magnetic adhesives that allow you to simply snap the display on the back and snap it off when you don’t need it. Once mounted, the actual monitor is covered by a plastic case, ensuring it’s duly protected when you’re on the move. To use, simply slide the monitor to either the left or right side of your laptop (it slides both ways), then adjust it to the desired angle. It can rotate over 180 degrees, by the way, so you can place it slightly angled towards you or back-to-back with it, with the latter being useful when you want to show someone on the other end of the table something on your machine.
The actual monitor is a 12.5-inch IPS panel with 1080p resolution, so you get a second full HD screen to work with. No word on viewing angles or contrast ratio, but it does have 300 nits of brightness and a glossy finish, so you might have to turn up the brightness if you’re working outdoors. From what we can tell, it’s not the best display, but it will get the job done. Plus, the hinged design is so unique, it really allows you to do things you can’t do with any other option.
The DUO has a USB-C connection that allows it to get both data and power from your computer, with an included adapter that allows it to be used on laptops with USB-A slots. It’s platform-agnostic, too, as the outfit claims it works completely on Mac, Windows, Linux, Chrome, and even Android, provided it’s running on a PC. In case you’re worried about it turning your sleek laptop into a heavy machine, the darn thing weighs just 1.5 pounds.
Each monitor, by the way, comes with two sets of magnetic adhesives, so you can install them on two separate laptops. That way, you can simply snap the monitor off one laptop and snap it onto another – a great solution for those who use different computers.
A Kickstarter campaign is currently running for the DUO. You can reserve a unit for pledges starting at $220.