While portable monitors are now in demand among professionals and business users, brands such as Lenovo continue to release new models with higher screen resolutions and multiple connectivity options. We got to review the Lenovo ThinkVision M14d mobile monitor and here are our thoughts about the portable monitor.
Design
Portable monitors are all about the convenience of carrying an extra screen on the go for business meetings or outdoor activities. The Lenovo M14d mobile monitor with the stand expanded, features a dimension of 277.0 x 76.0 x 384.0 mm and the device weighs only 600g. The device’s main chassis and bezels feature a premium and smooth matte finish that comes in black color. There is the ThinkVision logo branding on the bottom left side of the screen.
While the main anti-glare IPS display is 14 inches in size, the main screen resolution is an impressive 2240 x 1400 for sharp texts and visuals. And the aspect ratio of the display is 16:10 for wider coverage. The pixel pitch of the screen is 0.135 mm x 0.135 mm with 188 PPI. Lenovo mentions that the screen comes with a response time of 6ms when in Extreme Mode and 8ms when in Normal Mode. Although the screen resolution is good, the refresh rate is limited to 60Hz, which shouldn’t be a dealbreaker. The colors of the screen are good and the whites appear to be well balanced between cool and warm temperatures.
The screen also has a contrast ratio of 1500:1 and the Dynamic Contrast Ratio mode pushes it to 3 million:1. Productive users should also note that the M14d has a 100% sRGB color gamut coverage. The chassis’s matte surface is also seen on the rear side of the monitor, along with a Lenovo logo that is located on the top left side. The stand on the rear side can be easily folded and unfolded while you travel around. And the stand also features different connectivity options on either side.
Looking from the right side, there is the main power button and a USB Type-C Gen 1 port with support for DisplayPort 1.2 in Alt Mode. Lenovo also included a second USB Type-C Gen 1 port with DP 1.2 support on the left side, along with control buttons to navigate through the monitor’s OSD menu. Both the USB-C ports have support for a 65W pass-through connection where you can actually power the portable monitor and also charge your laptop simultaneously on the go. However, there were instances where sometimes connecting just one USB-C port to a PC or laptop is not enough to power the M14d due to insufficient power. So we had to use the included USB-C to USB-C cable to connect between the monitor and the PC and use the second USB-C port to connect a USB-C to DisplayPort cable for things to work.
The packing of the device includes the ThinkVision M14d monitor, one 1m USB-C to USB-C cable, a quick setup guide, and a ThinkVision leather sleeve for the monitor where you can easily and safely carry the display when on the move. Thanks to the soft material, you won’t need to worry about scratches on the screen. Lenovo also mentions that the M14d also features integrated speakers.
With the left-sided buttons, users will be able to access the OSD menu and journey through the options and settings that are available to tinker around. I hope Lenovo can include a miniature version of a 5-way OSD menu joystick on the next portable display so users can easily go through the menu settings.
As opposed to the tent-like design that is used in some of the portable monitors in the market, I’m impressed with the mount-based stand that is used on the M14d mobile monitor. And unlike some of the competing portable displays that feature connectivity ports on the sides of the main screen, the inclusion of the ports on the stand itself means you can set up a neat cable connection. The mount-based stand allows users to tilt the screen 95° forward and -5°backward. The device also has VESA mounting capability for those who want extra flexibility regarding their setup.
While the monitor is quite impressive, I wish Lenovo had included a feature that could allow users to mirror their smartphones, laptops, and other devices wirelessly with the portable monitor.
Verdict
If you’re looking for a lightweight and stylish portable monitor that offers excellent picture quality, then consider the Lenovo ThinkVision M14d mobile monitor. The monitor comes with a 14-inch IPS panel that offers great viewing angles and the display also features a 16:10 aspect ratio for a wider coverage and 2240 x 1400 as the screen resolution for those sharp images and texts.
The portable monitor is easy to carry and weighs hardly 600g. The device also comes with two USB Type-C Gen 1 port with support for DP 1.2 Alt modes. The mount-like stand assists users in easily adjusting the angle for the best ergonomic position that suits them. The screen also comes with an anti-glare coating to evade those reflective screens, the response time can go as low as 6ms, and the brightness up to 300 cd/m².