In the almost 40 years I've been using computers, and well over 30 years of computer ownership, I've only ever had a single monitor, and that has always seemed to be enough; in fact, I've frequently wondered over the years exactly what I'd do with a multi-monitor setup.
The 14-inch screen on my laptop is usually enough for my needs, but I do occasionally find myself thinking a little extra screen real estate would be nice. I recently found a simple and cost effective solution in a KYY model K3-2 portable 15.6-inch USB-C monitor. This device adds a second screen, slightly larger than that of my laptop, with plug-and-play simplicity to create, along with a wireless USB keyboard and mouse, a double-headed desktop configuration that can easily be set up and taken down as needed.
Setup, right out of the box took just a couple of minutes to position the monitor on its included stand, which flattens out to double as a protective slipcase, and connect it to the laptop using the supplied USB-C cable. My Dell laptop, which runs Linux Mint, immediately recognized the monitor and activated it as a second screen, onto which I could drag windows over for simultaneous viewing. The screen image of the external monitor is slightly softer than that of the laptop, but it is by no means unpleasant to use. I have not yet tried it with the HDMI cable to see if that makes any difference.
In addition to the aforementioned slipcase/stand, the package includes a USB-C to USB-C cable, suitable for connecting to most current laptops without an additional power cable, an HDMI to mini HDMI cable for video connection only, and a USB-C to USB-A cable for power from a wall outlet, via its included plug-in power adapter when needed. With these three cables, one can connect the monitor to a variety of laptop computers, smart phones and tablets, portable gaming devices, etc.; however, some devices, such as older Apple products, that lack a USB-C port, may require an additional proprietary adapter to connect.
The monitor is very thin and lightweight, making it easy to carry along in the bag with the laptop, making the multi-monitor experience feasible on the go. A certain degree of care should be exercised in transporting the monitor. Putting it inside the slipcase/stand is a must, and the manufacturer discourages carrying it in a backpack where it could sustain damage from other hard objects. The monitor also comes in a sturdy, well-designed box with compartments for the included accessories, suitable to store the monitor when not in use. Users would be wise to keep the box as an integral component for long term protection.
It should be noted that KYY offers several different variations of this monitor, but only the K3-2 offers the slipcover stand. Other variants come with a magnetic stand that acts as a protective cover over the screen, not a storage pouch. This model supposedly has the ability to operate in portrait mode, simply by turning the monitor up on end, but I have not been able to make that happen while it’s connected to my laptop. Perhaps it needs to be connected to a device like a smart phone that has a portrait orientation by default.
One small design compromise this feature necessitates is that all ports and controls are located on the right side of the monitor when in landscape mode, so that they are accessible on top when the monitor is rotated 90 degrees for portrait mode. By comparison, the other variants have a USB-C port on each side. Fortunately, the supplied USB-C to USB-C cable is long enough to run from the left side of my laptop to the right side of the KYY monitor. This is important for ergonomic reasons because the computer assumes the external monitor is to its right, so that dragging from the laptop to the second monitor is from left to right. To me, this is a non-issue.
The only very minor disappointment worth mentioning is that the monitor’s USB-C ports apparently do not support a data pass-through connection to the laptop, only video and power, as documented in its instruction booklet. When I attempted to plug a USB-C camera card reader into the monitor’s second USB-C port, the KYY monitor simply blanked out and the SD card never mounted. In the absence of a USB-A card reader, I had to temporarily unplug the monitor from my laptop’s single USB-C port to copy the needed images, then reconnect the monitor. Although it is by no means a deal killer, a fully functional USB-C port would have been appreciated in that instance.
Since I have only just received this monitor today, I am still exploring its capabilities and use cases, but for the price I paid, I am generally pleased with the purchase.
UPDATE--In using this monitor for a couple of days, I have come to the realization that the combination slipcase/stand, while arguably a genius design for use on the go, is only satisfactory for short periods. The issue is the magnets that hold it in the stand configuration. While they hold the two ends of the cover together, they can still slip laterally over time, making it less satisfactory to use for more than a few hours at a time. There really should be a physical tab to stop it from sliding forward. If the monitor needs to remain set up for several days, a sturdier stand is preferable.
My solution is a Lisen adjustable tablet stand. It is well designed and sturdy enough to support a monitor this size. With two-point articulation and a telescoping arm, one can adjust both height and viewing angle to improve ergonomics. The three pieces are held together with bolts that can be tightened with the included hex key that stores neatly underneath the base. For barely the price of a fast food value meal, it is a worthwhile purchase to greatly improves the experience.
One month later...--The extra screen with the Lisen stand has been so satisfactory that I haven't yet found a good reason to take it down. On the contrary, I find myself increasingly gravitating toward this laptop/desktop hybrid setup, even when I could get away with just the laptop's screen. It's an accessory I didn't know I needed.
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