Hands-On: MSI PRO MP161 E2 Portable Monitor

I love using my laptop because it gives me the freedom to work from anywhere, but I miss my big beautiful screens when I'm not on the "big" computer. Then MSI offered to let me test this portable monitor, and now I may always work from my laptop.

The MSI PRO MP161 Portable Monitor is a 15.6-inch screen that travels with you. It doesn't require a power connection, and you can connect it to your laptop (Windows or Mac) using either a USB-C or Mini-HDMI cable. It's also super light. Since the backpack I grab when I'm on the go is already loaded down with a laptop, chargers, and notebooks, I really appreciate a lighter peripheral.

It's light enough that it doesn't initially feel super sturdy, but don't be fooled. I've been carrying this portable monitor around for a couple of weeks now, and you can't tell that I don't always put it in the protective sleeve that comes with it. What I'm saying is that it's sturdier than it might seem at first.

MSI's Portable Monitor Tech

Some portable monitors are hard to see, they don't display images well, or they're terribly heavy. We've already addressed the weight issue, but if you're curious about the exact number, it weighs 1.65 lbs.

It's what MSI calls an ultra-thin monitor. At .4 inches, it's only slightly thicker than my 2018 12.9" iPad Pro (which is, incidentally, heavier than the MP161). But it's a 15.6-inch display—slightly bigger than my laptop—which is perfect for me. I can drop a complicated spreadsheet onto it for a larger view, or I can orient the portable display so that it's vertical rather than landscape to view emails, news feeds, or websites that are more conducive to that view.

The display has a 16:9 aspect ratio with a 60Hz refresh rate and full HD (1920X1080); it really does look just like another laptop screen sitting next to my computer. I noticed a couple of envious looks when I set it up in a coffee shop, which is both good and bad because, with dual screens, it's a lot easier for someone to shoulder surf.

Overall, the display is good on both Windows and Mac laptops. It has MSI's EyesErgo technology that reduces blue light, prevents flickering, and provides anti-glare so you can still see it in a bright environment. It also has Night Vision, which brings out the details in darker areas. For my personal taste, I would have preferred to have a brightness adjustment, but not everyone likes their screens to be blindingly bright.

One feature I was particularly fond of is the kickstand on the back. It rotates 360 degrees, and you can place the monitor at any angle, which is handy if you're connected to your phone and streaming a movie or sitting on the bed working and need to lean the monitor back a little more. There's also a tripod socket integrated into the kickstand, so if you want to connect it to a tripod to view while filming or shooting pictures, it's as simple as screwing it into the tripod mount.

Of course, convenience doesn't come without a cost, and in this case, the cost is battery life on your laptop (or phone if you're connecting to that instead). I use a relatively new 13-inch MacBook Air, which has a fabulous battery life. I can usually get a full day of work out of it and still have battery power left in the evening if I decide I want to play on the internet for a bit.

Connected to the MSP PRO MP161 Portable Monitor, though, that battery capacity dropped dramatically. My MacBook Air dropped from full battery power to less than 20 percent in about 4 hours. Now, that's not terrible. Realistically, it's pretty reasonable when you consider that my laptop is now powering two screens. But it is something you'll want to be aware of if you plan to use the portable monitor out in the wild.

Is the MSI PRO MP161 Portable Monitor Worth It?

A thin, lightweight display that's easy to use will surely cost a lot, right? Wrong. The MSI PRO MP161 Portable Monitor's MSRP is about $150, but it's consistently been on sale for under $110, which makes it super affordable for my setup. And given that it will work with a Windows or Mac computer or your smartphone, I'd say yes, this is definitely worth it, and I'll have one in my arsenal from now on. I can't tell you the number of "if only I had access to a second screen" moments this portable monitor has solved!