CES 2020: ASUS Reveals Portable 15.6-inch ZenScreen MB16ACE USB-C Monitor
by Anton Shilov on January 13, 2020 3:00 PM EST- Posted in
- Asus
- Trade Shows
- Monitors
- CES 2020
- ZenScreen
ASUS has introduced its latest external display for laptops that features a USB Type-C connector that is used to transfer both video signal as well as power. To simplify use, the ZenBook MB16ACE monitor comes with a new foldable case that can be easily transformed into a stand.
As the name suggests, the ZenScreen MB16ACE belongs to the company’s premium Zen product lineup and therefore matches ZenBooks in terms of design and premium feel. In general, the ZenScreen MB16ACE uses a 15.6-inch IPS panel featuring a 1920×1080 resolution, 250 nits brightness, a 5 ms response time, and a non-glare coating. Since the LCD comes in a metallic chassis, it is 8 mm thick and weighs 710 grams, which can be considered as a price for some additional toughness.
One of the main selling points of the ZenScreen MB16ACE is of course its USB Type-C single-cable connection (using DP Alt Mode), which greatly simplifies use of the additional display with a laptop while on the go. The monitor can still be plugged to a regular USB Type-A port, but in this case the host system must have a DisplayLink driver installed.
Like most monitors from ASUS, the ZenScreen MB16ACE supports various color temperatures, eight video preset modes, and even modes for games. Meanwhile, the display fully supports HDCP, so it can be used to view protected content.
It is noteworthy that the ZenScreen MB16ACE can be used both in landscape as well as portrait modes and comes with a special folio that can be used as a stand, which clearly improves usability of the device.
ASUS already lists its ZenScreen MB16ACE USB-C display over at its website, so expect the product to launch shortly. Pricing is unknown.
Related Reading:
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- Lenovo's New 595-Gram Portable Display: The ThinkVision M14 USB-C Monitor
- MSI Preps 240 Hz Optix MAG161 External Monitor for Laptops
Source: ASUS
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xype - Tuesday, January 14, 2020 - link
"Pricing is unknown."ASUS already offers such screens (even with the same design, as reported by AnandTech https://www.anandtech.com/show/11422/asus-zenscree... so I assume the pricing would be similar to those.
dontlistentome - Tuesday, January 14, 2020 - link
Got one of the older ones of these. That came with the case and the pen stand thingie.That case basically wrapped around 3 sides of the screen, was magnetic to hold it in place and also to keep it folded into a stand (landscape only).
If the new one does portrait as well, great, as long as it's not thicker/bulkier than before.
Panel on the old one was pretty good - slightly limited brightness but that was probably to allow the displaylink gpu and the panel to be powered within the USB A limit.
GreenReaper - Tuesday, January 14, 2020 - link
Pity they couldn't find a way to plug it in that didn't lead to it sticking up in the air all dorkily like that.Jon Tseng - Tuesday, January 14, 2020 - link
Just buy an L-shaped USB adapter, or a USB cable with the same.danielfranklin - Tuesday, January 14, 2020 - link
Pretty sure they have an almost exact screen available.Would be nice to know the DIFFERENCE in the post...
Tomatotech - Wednesday, January 15, 2020 - link
I have an older model, a USB3 TN 15 inch version, can't remember if it's ASUS as it's up in the attic. I found it almost useless. The picture quality was poor, moving windows made it flicker, the difference between the monitor and the laptop (colours, dot pitch, screen angle, resolution etc) made it annoying to use. Pulling it out and packing it for transport was a faff.Thankfully I didn't pay much for it as it was a used model, but it was still wasted money. I expect the IPS model will be better, but be warned, it's still not very useful. It's like trying to work with two very different monitors at the same time.
umano - Thursday, January 16, 2020 - link
I really like what they did with their portable oled monitor but it should have been 4k dci in my opinion not 4k uhd for that price tag.I am eager to see these products evolve, for my needs 15,6 is not a big improvment and the 4k oled for that price lacks dci resolution, a vesa mounting system , a hood that works in both in portrait and landscape configuration, hardware calibration and some waterproof certification.
I would like to use it on set outdoor so I need a way to put it on a stand, protect it from sunlight, and if it starts to rain I need 2-3 minutes to put it back in its case.