ASUS ZenScreen OLED: when a second screen fits in your rucksack

There is a paradox in modern digital work: computers are becoming increasingly powerful, but screens remain small. The laptop has become a formidable machine, capable of handling videos, spreadsheets, artificial intelligence and dozens of applications all at once. It’s a shame that all this is crammed into a 13- or 14-inch screen.

It’s a bit like trying to direct traffic in Milan from a window at home. The ASUS ZenScreen OLED MQ16FC – to give it its full name – is a 16-inch portable monitor designed for those who work on the move and want to take a proper dual-screen setup with them without turning their rucksack into a house move.

It’s not just about adding another screen. It’s about reducing the chaos.

Here, Asus has opted for a 16-inch OLED panel in a 16:10 aspect ratio with a resolution of 1920x1200. In short: more vertical space, better colours and deep blacks. The benefit is immediately apparent, especially for those who read a lot of text, work on spreadsheets or edit photos. The 95% DCI-P3 colour gamut also appeals to creatives who need good colour accuracy when working away from the office.

The most interesting feature, however, isn’t the display. It’s the Power Pass Through – a rather uninspiring name for a very clever feature. It means that power and video are transmitted together more efficiently. Fewer cables, fewer chargers, less clutter on a makeshift desk in a hotel or co-working space.