(Credit: John Burek)
At Computex this week, Acer debuted two portable monitors that can be directly attached to pogo-style keyboards. When so connected, the 15.6-inch Acer PM161Q JB can serve as a large screen for an Android phone or iPhone with a USB-C port, making texting or typing documents far easier than on the phone's screen.
The Acer PM131QT, a tiny (12.3-inch) ultrawide monitor similar to the Corsair Xenion Edge but not quite as wide, could also be used in this manner, but perhaps lives its best life as a secondary screen that can sit underneath—or be magnetically attached to the side of—a desktop monitor. Alternatively, you can use it as a mobile monitor or an in-car display. Both of these monitors support five-point touch.
The Acer PM161Q JB has native FHD (1,920-by-1,080-pixel) resolution at a 16:9 aspect ratio, and a 60Hz refresh rate. The screen has a rated brightness of 250 nits (candelas per square meter). Acer gives its color-gamut coverage at a relatively low 45% of NTSC, an analog television color space—full (100%) sRGB coverage is equal to about 72% of the NTSC gamut.
In addition to two USB Type-C ports (it can be powered over a single cable from your laptop), the PM161Q JB has an HDMI 1.4 port and an audio-out jack. It also has a pair of built-in 1W speakers. The display can be VESA-mounted using its square array of holes spaced 75mm apart if you have a compatible VESA bracket. It also has a hole with a 1/4-inch thread that fits many small tripods. The monitor's protective cover can be folded over to prop the panel up and act as a stand, or it can be attached to a pogo keyboard.
The PM161QT has a 1,920-by-720-pixel native resolution, a 24:9 ultrawide aspect ratio most commonly seen in vehicle dashboard displays; Acer mentioned that it can be used in cars, in addition to being a general-purpose mobile monitor or a secondary display for a desktop setup. Its brightness is rated at 300 nits. Acer gives its color-gamut coverage at 76% of NTSC, which should effectively cover the full sRGB color space. It has two USB-C ports, one HDMI port, and an audio-out jack plus a pair of built-in 1W speakers. It has a built-in kickstand, as well as a threaded 1/4-inch hole for tripod mounting.
Both monitors should be available in the last quarter of the year. The PM161Q JB is expected to sell for $149.99, and the PM131QT for $179.99.