My portable monitor gave out right before a client call in a Lisbon cafe

I had to use my phone as a hotspot and mirror my laptop screen to it, which actually worked fine, but has anyone found a truly durable brand for monitors that get thrown in a backpack every week?

4 comments

4 Comments

jessica9211mo agoMost Upvoted

That "dead monitor panic" is a special kind of cafe terror.

elliot_mason621mo ago

Been there with the dead monitor panic. After going through a couple cheap ones, settled on an Asus ZenScreen. The case it comes with is actually decent, and the stand is built in so there's no extra junk to lose. It's been living in my bag for over a year now with no issues, just some scuffs on the cover. The real trick is getting one with a proper hard shell, not just a sleeve.

rowanw111mo ago

My buddy's ZenScreen case cracked, @elliot_mason62, but the screen survived.

phoenix_singh251mo ago

Honestly, I've had the total opposite experience with built-in stands. They always feel wobbly and force the screen to sit at one awkward height. I'd much rather carry a separate, solid stand that actually holds the monitor steady on my desk. Those hard shell cases also add a lot of bulk and weight to my bag. A good padded sleeve has protected my portable screen just fine for years, and it takes up way less space. The extra junk is worth it for gear that works right.