The AOC 16T3EA ($129.99) is a low-priced transportable monitor that is among the many most bodily versatile on the market. Its stand helps inserting the show in both portrait or panorama mode, and an included VESA bracket enables you to mount the panel to an arm or a wall in case you have a suitable mount. A 1080p IPS display provides good distinction, however shade protection is proscribed, and a single USB-C port handles each energy and sign (information and video) out of your laptop. So the 16T3A is simply price contemplating over the Editors’ Alternative-winning ViewSonic VG1655 should you do not want a number of connectivity choices and are restricted to a sub-$150 price range.Design: Versatile Stand, USB-Solely InterfaceCompact and light-weight, the 16T3EA measures 9 by 14.3 by 0.5 inches (HWD) and weighs simply 1.8 kilos, making it simple to take to a espresso store or a convention. It comes with a material sleeve adorned with a hexagon sample, which can be utilized for storage and fundamental safety whereas touring. The 16T3EA’s chassis has a matte-black entrance with pretty skinny bezels, which body a 15.6-inch (diagonal) in-plane switching (IPS) display with a decision of 1,920 by 1,080 pixels (aka Full HD, FHD, or 1080p) and a 16:9 widescreen side ratio that matches most laptops. It helps huge vertical and horizontal viewing angles of as much as 178 levels, which implies that one can view the display from an excessive angle with out vital degradation in brightness or shade.
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On the left fringe of the 16T3EA’s display is a USB-C port, the monitor’s solely connector. This upstream port, which provides each energy and sign (information and video) from a pc, helps DisplayPort over USB Alternate Mode and energy supply of as much as 15W.
(Credit score: Joseph Maldonado)
We favor that displays have a number of connectivity choices—many transportable displays add a mini HDMI connector—or no less than a second USB-C port in order that the show may be linked to an influence adapter if want be.
(Credit score: Joseph Maldonado)
On the again of the 16T3EA, which is adorned with a sample of tiny grey dots, are two fold-out panels that act as stands, one to assist the monitor in panorama orientation and one to prop it up for portrait mode.
(Credit score: Joseph Maldonado)
They really feel moderately sturdy, although their tilt angle is proscribed in order that the highest of the display is tilted barely again from the viewer. Nonetheless, they’re an enchancment over the folding, origami-style stands that include another price range transportable displays. And the 16T3EA additionally comes with a VESA bracket, which may be screwed into 4 holes behind the monitor for attachment to a VESA mount in order that the show may be arm- or wall-mounted.
(Credit score: Joseph Maldonado)
On prime of the 16T3EA, to the best, are 4 small buttons: one for energy, two arrow buttons, and one button labeled OK. The OK button can be utilized to lock in settings, however it has a extra elementary objective: You could press it twice to entry the monitor’s on-screen show (OSD). As soon as I figured that out, OSD navigation was easy sufficient. Nonetheless, I favor the mini-joystick type controller that we sometimes see on transportable displays (often dearer ones) to the tiny buttons.Testing the AOC 16T3EA: Restricted Coloration CoverageI examined brightness, distinction, and shade protection utilizing a Klein K10-A colorimeter and Portrait Shows’ CalMAN Final for Enterprise software program. AOC charges the 16T3EA’s luminance at 250 nits (candelas per sq. meter); in my testing, it got here up a bit in need of that at 211 nits, nonetheless a typical brightness for a price range transportable monitor.The 16T3EA’s marketed distinction ratio is 700:1; I measured it at a significantly higher 1,045:1. Most opponents have rated distinction ratios between 600:1 and 1,000:1.
(Credit score: Portrait Shows)
The A1 confirmed mediocre sRGB shade protection, typical of price range transportable displays, overlaying 64.7% of that area in my testing (see the chromaticity chart above). The triangle represents the colours that comprise sRGB—primarily, all the colours that may be made by mixing completely different percentages of crimson, inexperienced, and blue. The white bins present the place the information factors could be for a monitor that covers the total sRGB area, and the circles signify our personal measurements. A number of of our check factors are properly inside the triangle, displaying a crimped shade gamut, significantly within the crimson, orange, and pink a part of the vary. Discover, although, that the blue circle is barely exterior of the triangle.This sample may be very acquainted, as we’ve seen it on 1080p IPS screens from quite a few transportable displays launched since 2019—most of those panels possible come from the identical supply. Though shade protection in midrange and high-end transportable displays has typically been a lot better up to now three years, often exceeding 90% for sRGB, we nonetheless usually see price range displays with shade protection much like the 16T3EA (within the 60%-to-65% sRGB vary); different latest examples embrace the MSI Professional MP161 E2 and the Arzopa A1. Because of this though the 16T3EA is just not nice for leisure or photograph work, it is nice for general-purpose private and enterprise use. Our formal picture testing, during which I seen our chosen movie clips and our photograph suite on the 16T3EA, confirms this. The monitor is usable, although not best, for watching movies or photographs. In each photographs and movies, colours appeared a contact muted, with reds trying a bit orange and greens usually showing yellowish. The monitor did do properly in displaying element in each mild and darkish areas.Verdict: A Extremely Transportable, Low-Priced Second ScreenFor simply over $100, the AOC 16T3EA is a light-weight and extremely transportable second display so as to add to your on-the-go laptop computer setup. Its uncommon stand enables you to use the monitor in both portrait or panorama mode, and it even features a VESA bracket for wall mounting. Picture high quality, with good distinction however mediocre shade protection, is typical of low-priced transportable shows. If you would like a transportable monitor with wider shade protection, you might have to pay a bit extra. The LG Gram +View is an efficient selection, providing full sRGB and Adobe RGB protection, and the ViewSonic VX1655-4K-OLED gives a candy OLED display and wonderful sRGB, Adobe RGB, and DCI-P3 shade protection, although it’s going to value you half a grand.
(Credit score: Joseph Maldonado)
Finances displays, significantly transportable ones, usually have restricted connectivity selections, and the 16T3EA is proscribed to a single USB-C port to obtain energy, information, and video from a pc. We favor an extra connector, such because the mini HDMI port discovered on the Arzopa A1, and/or a second USB-C port—the Editors’ Alternative-winning ViewSonic VG1655 has two USB-C plus one mini HDMI port. Each of those displays additionally embrace built-in audio system (granted, of restricted quantity and mediocre audio high quality), which the 16T3EA lacks.Finally, the very best causes to purchase the AOC 16T3EA are its low value and versatile stand, which is especially handy should you incessantly work in portrait mode. In any other case, the VG1655 is healthier for most individuals.
Cons
Depends on a single USB-C port for energy, information, and video
Mediocre sRGB shade protection
The Backside Line
The cheap AOC 16T3EA transportable monitor has a flexible stand and features a VESA bracket, however mediocre shade protection and a skimpy port choice restrict its enchantment.
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About Tony Hoffman
Senior Analyst, {Hardware}
Since 2004, I’ve labored on PCMag’s {hardware} crew, overlaying at varied instances printers, scanners, projectors, storage, and displays. I presently focus my testing efforts on 3D printers, professional and productiveness shows, and drives and SSDs of all types. Through the years, I’ve reviewed iPad and iPhone science apps, plus the occasional digicam, laptop computer, keyboard, and mouse. I’ve additionally written a bunch of articles about astronomy, area science, journey pictures, and astrophotography for PCMag and its previous and current sibling publications (amongst them, Mashable and ExtremeTech), in addition to for the PCMag Digital Version.
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