Any links to online stores should be assumed to be affiliates. The company or PR agency provides all or most review samples. They have no control over my content, and I provide my honest opinion.
Please note the reader comment at the bottom of this review. They highlight that while the monitor is good, when it works, it breaks easily, and customer support is very bad.
Desklab specialises in portable monitors, and their new 4K Touchscreen Monitor aims to be the perfect universal solution.
The display has a wide range of ports which guarantees that it is compatible with as many devices as possible. The large 15.6” display with its 4K resolution and touchscreen functionality is perfectly suited for creative professionals to work as a secondary screen on laptops.
Specification
| Screen Type: | IPS |
| Weight: | 725 grams |
| Width: | 3.5 mm (0.14 inch) |
| Resolution: | 1080p (FHD) / 4K (UHD) |
| Panel Size: | 15.6” |
| Response Time: | 20 ms |
| Luminance: | 400 cd/m2 |
| Ports: | Type-C / mini HDMI / Micro-USB |
| Colour Range: | 16.7 M |
| Viewing Angle: | 178° |
| Contrast Ratio: | 1200:1 |
Set Up / Compatibility / Touch Screen
The monitor has lots of ports which ensures universal compatibility, and I assumed it would be plug and play.
However, this is not quite the case, especially for the 4K model.
The 4K model requires a 5V, 4A (20W) input; it is unlikely that your laptop will output this power via USB-C. With my Matebook 14, the screen would flicker as if trying to turn on but fail.
I, therefore, had to use external power, but even then, you need to make sure the plug can supply 20W. The monitor does come with a power supply, but it was a US two-pin, and I am based in the UK.
Also, for the touchscreen, your device already needs to support a touchscreen, and if you connect to HDMI, you also need to connect to USB (HDMI can only do display signals).
With the 4K monitor, you will also want to reboot or log out and log back in. This will allow Windows to detect the proper scaling for the monitor. When I first plugged it in, it set it to 100%, which is not ideal on a 15-inch 4K monitor.
Beyond that, this monitor comes with all the cables you need, in particular the mini-HDMI, which I didn’t have.
The dual USB-C ports allow you to use passthrough charging, which eliminates the need for any external hub if you are limited with laptop ports.
In Use
The monitor lacks any sort of stand, but Desklab claims to sell a magnetic stand and screen protector separately. However, the option to choose this does not work.
Mine didn’t come with this, so I had to rely on propping up the screen with a box.
The monitor looks and feels premium; it is incredibly thin and has edge to edge glass. This also makes it seem fragile if you plan to use it for travelling. I did take this away with me, but only when I went somewhere in the car and knew I could pack it safely.
The display quality is excellent, the colours look fantastic it doesn’t have that washed out appearance you can find on some cheap screens.
I also appreciated the larger display and increased screen real estate over other portable monitors. I’d say the overall quality of the display is significantly better than the Mobile Pixels Trio Portable Monitor I previously reviewed, but these are quite different products.
If your mobile supports a desktop mode via USB-C, then this works perfectly. I set it up with the HONOR Magic4 Pro, and it was recognised instantly.
Within the display settings, you can see that this monitor supports FreeSync, but as I was only using this on affordable laptops, it wasn’t a feature I tested.
Price and Alternative Options
The Desklab 4K touchscreen monitor is priced at $399 with free shipping on all orders. This works out as £325.
For UK buyers, you should factor in the cost of VAT and duties, but my sample cleared customs without any charges.
Looking on Amazon, I have struggled to find any like for like products.
The best alternative I can find is the UPERFECT 4K Portable Monitor for around £350. It has a touch screen, has plenty of ports and a built-in stand, but it is a bit smaller at 14-inches.
There are plenty of 15.6 Inch 4K monitors but most of these lack touchscreen.
Overall
The Desklab 4K is an excellent monitor that has more functionality and wider compatibility than the portable monitors you typically find on Amazon.
Due to the power requirements of the 4K display, it is not quite as portable as I would like, and if you plan to travel regularly with this, I’d consider the 1080P model.
The passthrough charging mitigates some of the power requirement issues and is an excellent inclusion allowing you to avoid using a hub.
Annoyingly, the Desklab website is a bit of a mess. You can only buy the 4K model, but you can also only buy the 1080P foldable stand and cover.
Without the ability to buy the 4K foldable stand and cover, it makes this a little difficult to recommend for anyone that plans to travel with it anywhere.
Having to prop it up on my desk is a bit of an ugly solution, but apart from that, it is an excellent monitor.
Desklab Ultralight Portable 4K Touchscreen Monitor Review Rating
Summary
The Desklab 4K is an excellent monitor that has more functionality and wider compatibility than the portable monitors you typically find on Amazon.
Overall
75%-
Overall - 75%
75%
Pros
- Superb connectivity options
- Touchscreen display
- Excellent quality display (for a portable monitor)
Cons
- Doesn’t come with a case or stand
- Currently can’t buy a case or stand
- Laptops can’t drive the monitor via USB-C
I am James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Passionate about all things technology, my expertise spans from computers and networking to mobile, wearables, and smart home devices.
As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends.
In my academic pursuits, I earned a BSc in Information Systems Design from UCLAN, before advancing my learning with a Master’s Degree in Computing. This advanced study also included Cisco CCNA accreditation, further demonstrating my commitment to understanding and staying ahead of the technology curve.
I’m proud to share that Vuelio has consistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of the top technology blogs in the UK. With my dedication to technology and drive to share my insights, I aim to continue providing my readers with engaging and informative content.
I bought two of them. Both are broken. One broke down one month out of warranty. Could get 30% discount for a new one. I shouldn’t have gone for it, I had a bad feeling already.
The second broke within 5 times of use. I am trying to get my money back but they are doing EVERYTHING to sabotage this. Their customer support is the worst I ever had next to just not replying. They will mail you ten times asking to do all kinds of tests you already told them you had done. Even when you say: stop doing that, they will continue doing that. It will take you a month before they will even acknowledge the screen has failed.
The screen breaks. Very easily.
When it works, it’s great, But I spent $900 and have nothing. I looked for reviews elsewhere. I am absolutely not alone in my experience. This happens very regularly. DON’T BUY.
Thanks for the comment. Sorry to hear that. I will make a note for readers to check the comments at the top of the review so they are aware of potential issues.
DeskLab (and Lumonitor) Kickstarter campaigns link to this website as a trustworthy review. But many Kickstarter backers are still waiting on their device. I advise against purchasing from either company. @James Smythe do you have contacts at either company?
I wasn’t aware of this. I am sorry that you have experienced problems. These are the email that contacted me: communications at desklabmonitor.com and vanessa at lumonitor.com