How to Choose the Best 4k Portable Monitor?

The evolution of gadgets has seen a pretty constant reduction in size, with a need to retain or even increase features like processing power and resolution. The days of humongous computer systems and screens are far behind as most people want something they can carry around conveniently and would be capable of catering to all their digital needs. Enter the 4k portable monitor! 

 

What’s so Special About the 4k Monitor?

One of the biggest problems that accompany reducing screen size is maintaining a great resolution. And 4K monitors, from their name, come with 4K resolution which is actually a huge deal. 

Of course, regular-sized computer monitors mostly use 4K resolution, however, finding a portable monitor with 4K is pretty rare. This is because it is a lot more convenient to fit monitors of this size with 1080p resolution. 

Therefore, this is one of the many reasons why 4K portable monitors are so special. In addition, they come in ultra-slim and portable sizes so that they can easily be slipped into backpacks or carry-on.   

 

Choosing the Best Portable 4K Monitor 

If this is your first time purchasing a 4K monitor, then it can feel quite overwhelming. There are several options out there, and it might seem like they are all identical, so, how do you know which is best for you? Well, there’s no need to stress anymore. We’ve done the work for you, so, here’s what to look out for when choosing the best 4K portable monitor: 

 

• Display 

This is paramount. The display determines how everything you do on your screen would appear. One factor that affects your choice of display is what you intend to use the monitor for. 

Everyday projects and work that call for the use of MS programs would require 4K resolution. This also applies if what you want is a 4K portable gaming monitor. 

Furthermore, irrespective of whatever functions you have in mind, you should always aim for portable monitors that have high-quality display resolution. A low-quality display implies low-quality images, a generally dull appearance, and might affect the eyes after a while. 

Similarly, a high-quality resolution is a lot more enjoyable. 

 

• Size

Two factors; what you need the monitor for and your lifestyle go a long way in determining the appropriate 4K monitor size to consider. For instance, if you’re a gamer, a good call would be to opt for a large display monitor, this also applies if you want to use it for work. 

On the other hand, if you’re very mobile, or you only need the monitor for schoolwork, then a medium-sized or smaller-sized monitor would be appropriate. This is because they would be easier to convey around relative to their larger-sized counterpart. 

However, since it is a smaller size, the downside is that the display would be significantly smaller, and may altogether not suit your needs. The bottom line remains that whatever display size you go for should fit alongside your laptop into your laptop bag or backpack. You don’t want to have to carry around extra weight. 

 

• Touchscreen Capability 

Not all 4K portable monitors come with touchscreen capability, so, you would specifically have to look out for this if you need it. 

Typically, a monitor that comes with this feature is usually priced higher and the power requirement is higher too. So, it’s advisable that you only go for it if you absolutely cannot do without it. 

If you do go for one, the touch function is not so different from your smartphone. It allows you to carry out the standard finger-based touch gestures such as swiping, finger pinching, and stretching for zooming in and out, as well as scrolling. 

 

• Speakers 

The last thing you want is to need an external speaker hooked up to your monitor before you can hear sounds clearly. 

A high-quality speaker system adds extra pleasure to the overall user experience. Great speakers imply that you enjoy your entertainment better — seeing movies, as well as work that requires sound output. 

Highly essential, an ideal 4k portable gaming monitor must absolutely have great sound. Beyond the extended display and high resolution, the clear and distinct sound is pretty much the icing on the cake for an unforgettable gaming experience. 

The monitor’s sound should also be adjustable; either higher or lower. 

 

• Portability 

Sometimes, portable doesn’t always mean lightweight or moderate size, because it is relative. Therefore, you would need to ensure that the 4K portable monitor that you’re buying is indeed lightweight and moderately sized enough to suit your needs. 

You might need to move around quite a bit and you would want to avoid lugging around heavyweight stuff. A portable monitor that embodies these two qualities would be easier to convey around, and you would achieve your holá of portability too. 

Ideally, your portable monitor should fit into your bag neatly, and the added weight shouldn’t be too significant. Also, if you like to hold it in your hand while working, then it should be light enough that you can hold it for a while without your hand hurting from the weight. 

Portability is key. 

 

• Connectivity 

The connectivity feature of your portable monitor features prominently in the setup process. For starters, you would need to ensure that the ports on your monitor match the ones present on your computer/laptop. If they do, that’s great! And if they don’t, you may need an adapter. 

The most recent models of portable monitors being manufactured come with USB ports type A and type C, but type C is more preferable. This is because it is more powerful and guarantees a higher quality display. 

A great 4k portable gaming monitor would typically feature other ports like the headphone and the HDMI ports. These are basic requirements for an incredible gaming experience. Also, they allow for other entertainment activities like watching videos and movies and listening to music. 

 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Here are some of the commonly asked questions about the 4K monitor: 

 

What is the 4K Monitor? 

A 4K monitor, otherwise known as an ultra-high-definition or UHD monitor, boasts a baseline feature of having a 4K resolution. In less-than-simpler terms, 4K resolution is way higher than the Standard high-definition, or 1080P which are usually found on HD televisions or Blu-Ray discs. To break this down, 1080P usually consists of pictures that are 1,080 pixels in height and 1,920 pixels in width. This rounds up to a picture having over two million pixels. 

In 4K resolution, the width of a picture is about 3,840 pixels (approximately 4,000 pixels) and is twice the width of a 1080P picture. Alongside 2,160 pixels in height, a 4K portable monitor has four times the total number of pixels that a regular HD monitor boasts. And going by a rule of thumb that states that more pixels within a given area imply improved sharpness, vibrancy, and clarity of an image, it is therefore safe to assume that images in 4K resolution are of higher and more appealing quality. This is what the 4K monitor offers and embodies. 

 

How Do I Connect With USB C/ HDMI? 

To make your connection, here’s what to do: 

For starters, find out what kind of outputs that your laptop supports. More often than not, it would be HDMI, mini-HDMI, a USB-C port with Thunderbolt and/or DisplayPort support, DisplayPort, or Mini DisplayPort. An older computer may also feature VGA.  

If your computer is a new model, ensure that the USB-C port allows for the transfer of data and files. You would likely be using a 4K USB C portable monitor. 

Next, connect the two devices. To do this, a cord that connects the two standards is needed. For instance, if your laptop and monitor work well with HDMI, a regular HDMI cable can be used. Or if your monitor features DisplayPort, and your laptop comes with a USB-C port that supports DisplayPort, then a USB-C-to-DisplayPort cable would come in handy. 

Certain cases may require using a dongle or dock. For instance, a laptop with Thunderbolt 3 and a monitor with HDMI can be connected using a USB-C to HDMI dongle. For newer models that come with only USB-C, just connect your laptop to a USB-C hub that features HDMI support. Then stick the HDMI in the dock, and voila, you’re connected to an HDMI monitor. 

Following the cord set up, plug your monitor in, and put it on. Next, plug your 4K USB C portable monitor and laptop in the right end of the cord, and that's about it. 

 

What's the Advantage for Gaming Between the 4k Portable Monitor Compared to Other Resolutions?

A 4K portable gaming monitor boasts 4 times the pixels on a Full HD screen. Similarly, the pixels are compact, closely packed, which implies that images would be sharper and minute details would be very apparent. For gamers, details like the faces, clothing, and surrounding objects would be extra clear. 

 A 4K screen also allows for a broader view of the game on both sides of the screen. So, you can see the layout clearer and it feels a lot more realistic. This makes for an improved gaming experience. 

 

Conclusion 

Following the guide we have outlined in this article, choosing the best 4K portable monitor would become a no-brainer.