AOC debuts MacBook-compatible 15.6-inch USB-C monitor
Display maker AOC is rolling out a new 15.6-inch portable USB-C monitor, allowing MacBook and MacBook Pro owners to provide power and the video signal to the display through a single cable.
The I1601FWUX only scales up to 1,920-by-1,080 pixels -- below Apple's "Retina" level -- but is also just 8.5 millimeters thick, and weighs less than 1.8 pounds. In keeping with the USB-C standard, video is carried via a DisplayPort signal.
The screen is an IPS panel with 160-degree viewing angles, and a 5-millisecond response time. A Low Blue Light mode can be activated to reduce eye strain or sleep better at night.
For protection when traveling the monitor has a metal back and a bundled "smart" cover. The latter turns into a display holder, working in both landscape and portrait views.
The retail price on the AOC I1601FWUX 15.6-inch USB-C monitor is $199.99. At present, it is available in the U.S. for $195.85 on Amazon.
The I1601FWUX only scales up to 1,920-by-1,080 pixels -- below Apple's "Retina" level -- but is also just 8.5 millimeters thick, and weighs less than 1.8 pounds. In keeping with the USB-C standard, video is carried via a DisplayPort signal.
The screen is an IPS panel with 160-degree viewing angles, and a 5-millisecond response time. A Low Blue Light mode can be activated to reduce eye strain or sleep better at night.
For protection when traveling the monitor has a metal back and a bundled "smart" cover. The latter turns into a display holder, working in both landscape and portrait views.
The retail price on the AOC I1601FWUX 15.6-inch USB-C monitor is $199.99. At present, it is available in the U.S. for $195.85 on Amazon.
Comments
Power from the display to the computer.
The monitor has a battery inside it and can both power the monitor and the laptop?
It isn't an HDMI monitor.
So will it work?
Mac OS High Sierra knocked out USB Monitors. We have been waiting months for new drivers to be compatible.
http://www.displaylink.com/downloads/macos
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Also, this is a Full HD Monitor (if it can show 16 million colors - not all can do this. The top end GeChic monitor only shows 230,000 colors).
The good part - if it works - is that you won't need a new cable to use this with new Macs. You just need a USB-C Cable.
This monitor uses USB-C alt mode, and does not need the DisplayLink drivers. FTA: "In keeping with the USB-C standard, video is carried via a DisplayPort signal."
To be clear about this, this is a news item. We aren't endorsing the monitor, just pointing out that it exists.
I wonder what powering this thing directly from your laptop does to the battery life, though I guess if you’re somewhere that can fit both your laptop and this display in front of you, you’re also somewhere that your laptop can be plugged in.
The rest is just math. It would reduce the runtime of a MBP15 to about 70/12 ~= 5 to 6 hours, or 40 to 50%. Only gets worse with MBP13 and MB12.
It has to be one of those situations like being at a camp or conference type of thing. Maybe a quick one hours of work at a library or coffee shop, maybe airport?
or in my case, edit the software based on what we need.
When I travelled more, I used my iPad and Duet Display for a while for the same purpose. I'd be doing work that really is helped with dual monitors, but be able to carry them both easily in my laptop bag.
As long as it's not a DisplayLink product, which it doesn't appear to be, this could be helpful for my MBP and Surface Book