ViewSonic VG1655 15.6" Portable HD Monitor -- REVIEW

Your laptop screen works well, until it doesn't and you just really need more screen real estate. Enter the beautiful, best in class ViewSonic VG1655 15.6" Portable HD Monitor. Tech expert Dave Taylor of www.AskDaveTay... plugged the monitor into his MacBook Pro and runs it through its paces, including both USB-C and HDMI inputs.
Check it out at www.ViewSonic....

[@MandoMTL]

Dex/mobile device is the scenario. That's what I intend to use it for. Thank you for the demo sir. Very useful. Subbed.

[@davidhernandez5145]

This review was just PERFECT! Excellent communicator as well!

[@anoopb5333]

This was by far the best review I've seen for this monitor. EXCELLENT job. Loved it. Thank you so much.

[@AskDaveTaylor]

Thanks, really appreciate the feedback!

[@anoopb5333]

@@AskDaveTaylor thank you for your reply Dave. I recently got the VG1655 however it doesn't work with only port C to Port C connector. I need to use the USB to mini HDMI cable in addition to port c to port c cable in order to get the monitor working. Do you think my monitor is faulty?

[@AskDaveTaylor]

Are you using the cable included by ViewSonic? Have you tried plugging it into different ports on the unit? I know that mine works great with my Mac w/ just the USB-C. What you're seeing is that your USB-C isn't passing thru power, which is what it's getting from the mini-HDMI cable. Try different ports on your computer - or different computers - too as a way to debug the problem.

[@enescalskan3985]

Hey, thanks for review! How is the top brightness of the screen? Is it visible at the outside in daylight? Whats the max nits?

[@Judymac-b9b]

This was a great explanation Dave, Thanks. I used the HDMI to HDMImini to connect my Swann security system. Perfect little monitor to manage the cameras and sits unobtrusively on a cabinet in the corner of the room. And no problem with the chunky power pack as it plugs in behind the furniture. This was the perfect solution for me and so easy to set up for a senior with basic tech skills.

[@andonisr]

Thank you, you cleared out my doubts for connecting my Mac mini to this monitor! I was backed at first as to why it wouldn't work with just the mini HDMI to HDMI connection ☺️

[@andonisr]

Actually, the adaptor I got didn't work at the end. I ended up making it work with the supplied cables: power adaptor plugged in with type C and type C in monitor, then hdmi from Mac mini to mini HDMI in monitor ☺️ Returning the adaptor..!

[@JesusLovesHisCreations]

I love it, I have been sourcing for such quality screen, many possibilities…. Which means the versatility against the pricing = value for $$$, I bought mini PCs from intel, n attach it n on the go, not only tat, some of my android phones’ screen crack, I can also use tat as a replacement screen….so much possibilities 🤩👍

[@stevenpam]

Hi Dave, I remember you from when the internet was much smaller! I was just looking for a review of this product and there you are 🤣 Thanks for the video

[@AskDaveTaylor]

Yup, as that great sage Buckaroo Banzai says, "remember, wherever you go, there you are."

[@wesleybarnes5376]

Thanks I'm sold. I think you should have turned it vertical to see how it works/looks/stands up straight.

[@AskDaveTaylor]

Great point. I have used it in that orientation when grading student papers, actually, and it works great!

[@emilysauers7318]

My surface pro only has usb 3 so that adapter would be useful to me! I just received a chrome cast which I could see myself using in one of the USB-C ports and powering the device with another USB-C port.

[@AskDaveTaylor]

That's a really interesting question, whether it would work with a Chromecast unit! If you do try it, let us know if it works!

[@skyrien]

Just got one! Looking forward to trying a more mobile worklife

[@himanshupoddar1395]

Hi Dave, thanks for the info, but could you please tell me if touch works while connecting using HDMI?

[@mikeanderson7962]

great review. wish you would have shown how you store it for travel

[@AskDaveTaylor]

A fair point. These devices tend to just be like another really slim laptop in terms of travel, with little protection of their own.

[@5iv3head]

hey boss - im in the market for a portable monitor as i'll be traveling working from hotels for a few weeks - would you recommend this one or one of the other ones you've reviewed? this one is one of the most expensive ive seen so far, worth it?

[@AskDaveTaylor]

This one has a MUCH better screen and a considerably easier set of controls. It's the one I use myself.

[@bernardsanjaya815]

Can i use portable battery or power bank to power the monitor instead of wall charger.?

[@AskDaveTaylor]

You don't really need anything: It can draw power through the USB-C video connection, at least with some devices (like my MacBook). If you do need power, yes, you should be able to use a power bank or similar, though I don't know exactly how much amperage it needs if the video source can't power the screen.

[@cvtroops]

Can you play videos on loop from usb??

[@AskDaveTaylor]

I would check with ViewSonic, but I don't think that's an option.

[@balbutie]

thank you

[@BlackburnBlue]

I used to hang out with Mark back in my 1337 h4x0r IRC days. We played basketball too. HI MARK, from KReMLiN

[@willissudweeks1050]

Naw this is butt crack jack

[@aurumdesign]

I just bought this monitor and have a macbook pro from 2013 with only USB-A ports (5V). This seems to require 10V connectivity. I tried using the power adapter (c to c) and the HDMI cable but the screen only stayys on for 2 seconds and then disappears. Any thoughts?

[@AskDaveTaylor]

Sounds like you should reach out to ViewSonic customer service to ensure that your 2013 unit can drive the display as needed. Good luck!

[@dym4504]

Does it drain your MacBook’s battery?

[@AskDaveTaylor]

Not that I have found, no.

[@ПетровДенис-б9з]

Can I use a USB charger with 5 or more outputs and an HDMI splitter for 5 devices to connect 5 such monitors?

[@AskDaveTaylor]

You would need a commercial grade hub and HDMI splitter that has its own on-board power as I am sure a typical computer's HDMI out will lack the power to drive this many displays. Pretty sure standard operating systems are also constrained to one or two external monitors too, since they have to allocate graphics buffer and processing for each plugged in. I really have no experience with this, however, so I would check with a company that does exhibit or tradeshow booth design.

[@deebee5596]

thanks for doing this. my problems is I cannot get it to work without using the hdmi sent with the unit. It says no signal. I have to plug the usb c to usbc cable and the hdmi. any thoughts?

[@AskDaveTaylor]

There are different types of USB-C; you might be trying one that's only designed as a charging cord, not as a cord for an external monitor. Same hassle with all connections of this type, that they *look* the same but have different engineering and transmission characteristics.

[@markDbee]

Nice videos, Subbed - good voice(thanks genetics) :P, cadence and info based on my completely non-expert opinion. :) Thank you!.

[@AskDaveTaylor]

Well, genetics and not doing anything that damages my vocal cords, i suppose. Thanks!

[@markDbee]

@@AskDaveTaylor no scream metal in your past? Hah! Well thanks for the videos, I got a lot of catching up to do. 👍

[@akbarnotoponcobimantoro3865]

Does it work with mobile devices too like zenscreen go?

[@AskDaveTaylor]

If the device can push out an HDMI signal then yes this will work great as a screen. In HDMI mode however remember you also need the separate power supply.

[@elotro100]

In your video you are using an adapter to connect the viewsonic monitor to an iMac. I would like to do the same thing, but until now with no success. Can you tell me which adapter you are using, because I purchased this Zasluke Adapter (HDMI to Thunderbolt 2) and it doesn't work ("no signal"): www.amazon.de/gp/product/B07Z8XYLKS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I have an iMac 2017 with Catalina.

[@AskDaveTaylor]

I have found that on my 2019 Retina MacBook Pro that the adapter works for HDMI if I plug it into the *left side* USB-C ports, but not the right side ones. There is a difference, though I have found it really hard to find documentation from Apple that details exactly what that is. I would encourage you to try using different USB-C ports on your iMac to see if that makes a difference. HDMI is different from accessing, say, an external USB flash drive, so having part of your adapter work doesn't mean it's in the optimal port.

[@khantkhant1972]

Can i use zoom on potable monitor and study exercise on laptop?

[@AskDaveTaylor]

Sure, but remember that your webcam will be on top of the wrong screen if you do that.

[@khantkhant1972]

@@AskDaveTaylor but i think without touch system it cannot work.

[@AskDaveTaylor]

Why? Zoom works fine with a mouse or trackpad too, you'd just be controlling it from your computer, not directly on the second screen.

[@josesaenz8471]

Best review so far.

[@MrToyguy32]

My laptop has USB 3.0 and HDMI ports, but no USB-C. So that cable will be useful to me.

[@AskDaveTaylor]

You can definitely use the device, but you'll have to set it up with an external power source for the monitor in addition to the HDMI cable required for the video signal.

[@h.e.b.5497]

is it touch?

[@AskDaveTaylor]

It is not. And if it was, it wouldn't be with a Mac anyway :-)

[@h.e.b.5497]

@@AskDaveTaylor thank you

[@Crisp3333]

@@h.e.b.5497 There is a touch model and it also works with macs as well. It is available on amazon, just make sure you choose the touch version. The only difference is that using with mac just supports one-point touch.

[@h.e.b.5497]

@@Crisp3333 Thank you