Design and Portability
The ViewSonic VG1457 is designed to appeal to mobile professionals, offering a dual-display setup that folds compactly like a 14-inch laptop. Weighing a mere 2.8 pounds, it allows users to create a triple-monitor workspace anywhere. Its versatile design enables flipping the top display to share content with others or running each display independently.
Both displays can be powered and connected via a single USB-C cable. The device features a clever build with an almost-360-degree hinge between the displays and an integrated kickstand, supporting various viewing angles. This allows for vertical stacking or side-by-side arrangement of the monitors. However, the source review indicates that its actual performance may not live up to the initial promise.
Display Quality
A primary concern highlighted in the source review is the quality of the 14-inch, 1200p panels. While they should appear sharp, the upper display exhibits a noticeable softness when stacked vertically compared to the lower display. This softness reportedly disappears in tent mode, but this does not benefit solo usage.
Beyond the softness, the panels are generally mediocre. They achieve a maximum of 65% sRGB color space coverage, which is adequate for basic work but results in dull colors, even in spreadsheets. The upper display reaches 210 nits of brightness, and the lower 222 nits, falling short of the advertised 250 nits and not qualifying as bright. When powered solely by a laptop, neither screen exceeds 160 nits. The integrated 2-watt speakers also require an external power source to reach full volume.
Despite these shortcomings, both panels surprisingly surpass their advertised 800:1 static contrast ratio, achieving over 1,200:1. ViewSonic's claim of a 50,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio is noted as unrealistic. However, this contrast performance does not significantly improve the overall display experience, which is further hampered by considerable image degradation at off-axis viewing angles.
Connectivity and Power
The monitor includes a third USB-C port for 65 watts of pass-through power. The source reviewer noted this might be insufficient for some devices, particularly gaming laptops that often require 100 watts or more for USB-C charging. This limitation could leave users without charging options if their laptop has only one USB-C port and demands higher power.
Conclusion and Value
Ultimately, the ViewSonic VG1457 is deemed suitable for users seeking additional displays for quick data checks or temporary workspaces on the go. It offers a more polished design and is less cumbersome than some competitors like the Acer PD163Q, though it lacks vibrant color. While it is more affordable than visually superior options such as the Monduo 14-inch Pro Duo and Asus Zenscreen Duo OLED MQ149CD, which are nearly double the price, alternatives like Asus’s non-OLED model (priced at $349 with a wider color gamut) or the bulkier Minisforum MDSA156 (offering more display for the money but with similar panel quality) present varying trade-offs.
Score breakdown
Scored out of 10Price & Release Date
Viewsonic VG1457
