In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, where the majority of computing devices are now highly portable – from laptops and tablets to smartphones – the ability to extend one’s display becomes increasingly essential for professionals constantly on the go. Content creators, freelancers, and photographers alike are in constant need of tools that not only elevate their productivity but also seamlessly adapt to their ever-changing work environments. Enter the ASUS ZenScreen MB16QHG, a premium IPS portable monitor poised to enhance this field with color performance, 120Hz display and splendid contrast.
The concept of a portable monitor is not new, and the ASUS ZenScreen MB16QHG offers several notable features and capabilities. It includes a spacious 16-inch 16:10 WQXGA panel with a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth visuals and motion. The monitor’s HDR support and 100% DCI-P3 color gamut ensure vivid, accurate colors critical for design work. Despite its large screen, the MB16QHG maintains a slim 7mm profile that enhances portability. Its versatile L-shaped kickstand allows users to position the monitor as an extender for improved ergonomics and productivity. Connectivity is flexible with dual USB-C ports, an HDMI input, and a headphone jack. A standard tripod socket also permits convenient mounting for adaptable setups.
The ASUS ZenScreen MB16QHG is currently priced at $412 or PHP 23,109.86 in Philippine currency.
In this article, let’s examine how its various features and functionalities come together to deliver a versatile and efficient portable monitor experience.
Packaging
The packaging for the ASUS ZenScreen MB16QHG features a pared-down aesthetic with matte light gray as the primary background color. The front incorporates silver brand logo prints and product name text in a clean, minimalist style. An embossed glossy logo pattern spans the front adding some depth and modern flair.
The back of the ASUS ZenScreen MB16QHG packaging utilizes a plain gray backdrop completely free of any branding, text or design accents.
The sides of the packaging contain select product information and highlights without overloading on specifics. ASUS curates a few standout features like the screen size, resolution, and portability functions rather than listing full detailed specs.
Here are the rest of the specifications for your reference:
| Panel Size | 16 inch |
| Aspect Ratio | 16:10 |
| Display Viewing Area (H x V) | 344.68 X 215.42 mm |
| Display Surface | Non-Glare |
| Screen | LED, IPS |
| Viewing Angle (CR≧10, H/V) | 178°/178° |
| Pixel Pitch | 0.135mm |
| Resolution | 2560×1600 |
| Color Space (DCI-P3) | 100% |
| Brightness (Typ.) | 500cd/㎡ |
| Contrast Ratio (Typ.) | 1200:1 |
| Display Colors | 16.7M |
| Response Time | 5ms (GTG) |
| Refresh Rate (Max) | 120Hz |
| HDR (High Dynamic Range) Support | HDR10 |
| Flicker-free | Yes |
| I/O Ports | USB-C x 2 (DP Alt Mode) HDMI(v2.0) x 1 Earphone Jack : Yes |
| Power Consumption | Normal Mode : < 13W Power Saving Mode : < 0.5W Power Off Mode : < 0.3W |
The bottom of the box is sealed with an ASUS brand sticker, ensuring the contents inside remain untouched and providing customers assurance of an untampered product.
Opening up the packaging reveals a pleasant surprise – ASUS includes a complementary carrying bag. The included bag sports a design that visually complements the overall packaging aesthetic. It utilizes a black color scheme, with the ASUS logo prominently emblazoned on the front.
You’ll also find the remaining contents;
includes an adapter charger with a Type-C connector, along with a non-polarized Type A plug for compatibility in the Philippine market.
ASUS includes a braided USB-C to USB-C cable that provides both power delivery and display connectivity between the monitor and laptop with a single cable for seamless, clutter-free setup. The added braided exterior lends extra durability and quality to the cable, ensuring it can withstand daily use and travel.
Also contains an HDMI cable to connect to and extend the display of any computer with an HDMI port and the same braided exterior.
Finally, the portable monitor itself arrives carefully encased in a protective plastic sheet, keeping the display pristine and scratch-free prior to use.
The ASUS Zenscreen MB16QHG
The 16-inch IPS LCD screen is the highlight of the ASUS ZenScreen MB16QHG portable monitor. It has an anti-glare matte coating to reduce distracting reflections for clearer image quality on the go. The durable yet thin frame provides a rigid feel in hand, but the LCD panel itself remains fragile like any ultra-slim display and requires gentle handling. ASUS managed to construct a portable monitor that feels solidly built in the frame but unavoidably requires care when travelling due to the delicate screen. Some users may wish the LCD panel had more resilience like an iPad or tablet for true on-the-go durability.
The back of the ASUS ZenScreen MB16QHG monitor is made of rigid, dark gray plastic with an ASUS logo subtly engraved in the corner. It has a built-in kickstand that folds out to prop up the monitor in landscape or portrait mode, then folds flat for easy transportation. This adjustable kickstand sets it apart from other portable monitors with fixed stands.
From a side profile, the ASUS ZenScreen MB16QHG highlights its remarkably slim form factor. Measuring just 8mm thick with its integrated stand folded down, the monitor retains an exceptionally thin and portable silhouette designed for travel.
The bottom front bezel of the ASUS ZenScreen MB16QHG incorporates a glossy plastic trim with an ASUS logo imprint. The polished glossy material contrasts the monitor’s matte anti-glare screen finish, adding a subtle design flair. The good news is it is not prone to hairline scratches.
The bottom of the stand base incorporates rubber stoppers on each corner. These are designed to prevent sliding when the monitor is placed on surfaces.
As for the menu control, the buttons are located on the rear bottom edge of the monitor, with identical sets of buttons on both left and right sides. This symmetrical placement allows easy access to the on-screen menu using one’s pointing finger both for any orientation.
The ASUS ZenScreen MB16QHG contains an HDMI port and a USB-C port for connectivity. The USB-C port provides both power and video transmission to laptops, removing the need for a separate power cable. However, the HDMI port requires connecting the included AC adapter to power the monitor. The lack of battery power when using HDMI may be inconvenient for some users who were expecting seamless portable use through both input options. Competitor monitors often include built-in batteries to make all ports completely cable-free.
On the other side, the ASUS ZenScreen MB16QHG includes an additional USB-C port for display and power. This provides flexibility depending on the user’s devices and setup needs on-the-go. There is also a headphone jack for audio out. The built-in kickstand allows rotating the monitor to portrait orientation in an fixed angle.
Lastly, you’ll find at the bottom, it includes a tripod socket screw hole for mounting purposes. This allows users to attach the monitor to tripods or mounts, adding flexibility for setups. The tripod socket is most practical for photographers and live camera operators who benefit from mounting a monitor in their workflow.
Features
The ASUS ZenScreen MB16QHG has a 16-inch display with a 16:10 aspect ratio and 2560 x 1600 WQXGA resolution. The choice of 16:10 rather than the more common 16:9 ratio used in 1080p, 1440p and 4K displays has implications. The additional vertical space of 16:10 can benefit productivity use cases by showing more content and reducing scrolling. However, 16:9 is more mainstream for consumer media and gaming. The 16:10 ratio may lead to black letterboxing bars when viewing 16:9 videos fullscreen. For gaming, some pre-rendered cutscenes and gameplay may appear vertically stretched or cropped to fill 16:10. So, while the additional height accommodates office work, it could create a less than ideal experience for widescreen games and movies.
In addition to its 2560 x 1600 resolution, the ASUS ZenScreen MB16QHG display covers 100% of the DCI-P3 color gamut providing wider range of colors that come close to OLED-level quality. The extended gamut can display crisp, vivid images critical for color-sensitive work like photography and content creation. For gaming usage, the wide gamut also translates to more vibrant and lifelike graphics. In addition, there is a support for HDR for more contrast and details.
It also features 120Hz refresh rate, which aims to provide smoother, more fluid visuals compared to standard 60Hz displays. In real-world usage, the monitor subjectively demonstrates the improved refresh rate in terms of enhanced smoothness and motion clarity while gaming. For users seeking Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) capabilities, this monitor does not offer such feature, nor does it feature automatic refresh rate adjustment or Adaptive-Sync functionality.
When connecting the high-resolution monitor to a Windows laptop or PC, the operating system may automatically scale interface elements to 200% for legibility. This enlarges UI text and images to compensate for the high pixel density on the 16-inch screen. The behavior aims to provide a usable experience akin to MacOS Retina displays.
By adjusting the kickstand to portrait mode, you can easily turn the monitor into an extended display, offering a taller vertical viewing area that is well-suited for a variety of productive tasks such as programming, streaming, and other uses. They also have the DisplayWidgetCenter wherein you can install it on your windows, and it will automatically adjust the orientation of the screen.
The on-screen display menu for the ASUS ZenScreen MB16QHG provides various settings adjustments in line with other ASUS monitors. It includes standard options like brightness, contrast, and color temperature presets. Unique to ASUS monitors is the Splendid mode, which applies color profiles aimed at optimizing accuracy for different use cases. Splendid modes tailored for photo editing, reading, or cinema can switch color parameters without manual calibration.
As for additional feature, it also provides an Energy Saving setting in the on-screen menu that aims to reduce power consumption when enabled. This setting lowers brightness and adjusts other parameters to conserve energy, which ASUS markets as an eco-friendly feature.
Downsides
The ASUS ZenScreen MB16QHG uses a matte anti-glare finish on its LCD panel. While this helps reduce distracting reflections, it does make the screen prone to visible dust, smudges and fingerprints during use. In testing, the review unit displayed considerable fingerprint marks after handling. Users with sensitivity to dirty screens especially to those who have fur babies may find the matte coating requires frequent cleaning to keep the monitor looking pristine.
The monitor utilizes an IPS LCD panel known for strong contrast and black levels compared to other technologies. However, the review unit exhibited minor backlight bleed in one corner. This manifested as a faint light spot visible on pure black backgrounds. It is unclear if this is an anomaly limited to the test unit we had.
Conclusion
The ASUS ZenScreen MB16QHG makes a significant mark in the portable monitor market, balancing portability with impressive color performance. Its streamlined design and comprehensive features make it appealing for professionals seeking an on-the-go workspace. The monitor features deliver a high-quality visual experience suitable for both work and leisure. However, it’s important to note that while the ZenScreen MB16QHG offers notable advantages, its pricing is somewhat the same with other OLED portable monitors, which might be a consideration for budget-conscious consumers.
The monitor’s slim profile, versatile kickstand, and range of connectivity options highlight its design philosophy, which focuses on flexibility and convenience. The additional tripod socket is a thoughtful inclusion, particularly beneficial for photographers and videographers. Moreover, the carrying bag and durable braided cables supplied in the packaging is a plus.
However, the ASUS ZenScreen MB16QHG has its share of limitations. The matte anti-glare finish, while reducing reflections, is prone to attracting fingerprints and smudges, necessitating frequent cleaning. A notable concern is the monitor’s fragility, especially the LCD panel. While its frame adds a sense of durability, the ultra-slim display remains delicate and requires careful handling, similar to handling a big monitor. This fragility might be a crucial consideration for users who need a more rugged device for demanding travel conditions. Additionally, the slight backlight bleed observed in the test unit, though minor, could be a deterrent for users with stringent display uniformity requirements.
In closing, the ASUS ZenScreen MB16QHG stands out as a sophisticated, feature-rich portable monitor, ideal for those who prioritize top-notch display quality and design ingenuity in their portable devices. It represents a substantial investment in enhancing productivity and entertainment experiences on the go, although it comes with considerations that should be carefully evaluated by prospective users.