Everybody needs a sidekick. Even your laptop. Let’s say you’re on the road and like using a second screen. Maybe you have too many files that you need open at once…maybe your presentation demands something a little bigger than your slim little laptop can muster. That’s where something like the HP U160 comes into play. This is essentially a flip-up 15.6 inch LED backlit display.
Now, I haven’t had a ton of play-time with this guy – but I can give you a couple quick observations after seeing it recently.
- I really like how it comes in a simple folio format. In fact, it will take you seconds to get this thing open, propped-up and ready-to-use.
- One-plug use! All you need is an open USB port on your computer and you’re good-to-go.
- You get a good 180-nit, 1366 by 768 resolution Twisted Nematic (TN) panel.
- It’s a portable 3.4-pound monitor. Think of it as an extra laptop screen-a-go-go without the excess hardware to lug around.
- I don’t have a breakdown of how much of a power drain it’d be on a laptop’s batteries, but the HP U160 only draws 5 Watts of power.
A couple things that you’ll need to bear in mind for the U160:
- This panel was intended for commercial use and extending your desktop, not for mainstream consumer use. That said, I would love to try using this for editing video. Have your main laptop screen showing the picture, but leave the controls and menus on the U160.
- Because of the power draw required for the U160 to work, don’t try plugging into an ElitePad 900 or the ENVY x2. I know, the allure of going super-light with your PC and plugging into a big screen sounds good. However, the U160 still requires a little more juice to run (like I said above, 5 Watts). There obviously are many types of computers and we cannot specify how much power their USB ports provide. While many computers may power the U160 with a single USB port, connecting the Y cable to two USB ports is recommended.
- It’s got a 90-degree viewing angle. So if you’re showing off that screen to a couple people, no problem, but as your audience grows….well, it’s just something to keep in mind.
When I do get my hands on a final unit, come on back because I’ll be happy to give you a deeper dive on what the deal is with the HP U160. (Available in Jan. 2013 for $179.)
