Review on Lepow Z1 Pro Upgraded Portable Monitor: Ultimate Computer Protection with 1920X1080 Resolution by Derek Maldonado

Great concept and one of the cheapest models even before the Cyber Monday 2019 deal I paid for it but my block is back; that doesn't quite fit my purpose. I wanted to use this with my Essential Phone PH-1 on Android 10. In short: my phone can output video to an external screen via USB-C (but I can't add external power). and via HDMI using a USB-C hub (with HDMI output) and with this USB-C hub I can connect an external power supply to both and also connect a keyboard and mouse. The Bluetooth keyboard and mouse can still be used, but overall setup is clunky, especially for what I wanted for everyday use on the go (Youtube, comics, light browsing). I also have another (13.3") touch-enabled wearable monitor (using the same USB-C cable for video and power), it's more expensive but looks like it'll fit my plan much better (and the touch support makes buying additional mice and keyboards unnecessary, so the price difference isn't that big. Just focusing on my testing with my PH-1 Android 10 phone.) Android 10 currently has limited support for desktop screens If it detects an external monitor, it will still display normal phone screens, but the external desktop/home page with an app drawer icon and anything launched from the external app's app drawer will be displayed open on the external monitor, apps can't be moved between screens and more importantly the phone's touchscreen can't control the external one (hopefully this will change in the future when Android 10 releases more works - but this is Android and not a Lepow issue). An external mouse can be used with Android and it can work with an external monitor, but this means that a third device is always needed to use the monitor with my phone (there are portable Bluetooth mice + portable devices with keyboards) . Another recent limitation of Android 10 is that the external screen cannot be rotated and apps may not rotate even with developer updates until Android 10 fixes this. This means that external monitors without native screen rotation (I haven't seen one that does) only have one orientation in Android 10, landscape. This is fine for videos and websites, but comic and e-book readers can't expand pages to full screen in portrait mode. So my plan was to make this setup very mobile (minimal elements, quick installation and removal) and the need for an external mouse (and keyboard to a lesser extent) already adds some bulk and clunkiness (when using a mouse or external touch ). Pad). Additionally, there is an optional but highly recommended need for additional power, whether from a battery or an outlet (Lepow comes with a USB-C connector). For short-term use (likely 1-2 hours) the phone can be powered via USB-C (the PH-1's USB-C can transmit video and power), but adding an external power supply makes it bulky and messy. Melody. Lepow's instructions show that USB-C power can be added on the right side of the screen (video comes out on the left), but when I connect my phone via USB-C on the left side, the screen gets on the powered right side crashes my phone. I've tried 3 times and got the same result and since it's power related I didn't feel comfortable trying more and risking damaging my phone. It may just be my phone or my Android software, but I've been able to do a similar setup on another portable screen I'm trying to use (power goes external to screen, then screen to phone via USB-C). ). Alternatively, I have a USB-C hub with HDMI output and 1 USB-C port (and 2 USB 3.0 ports). If I place a hub between the phone and the screen, I can connect USB-C power to the hub to power both and I can use HDMI to send video to the screen. It's very clumsy (even if I have very short cords). Miscellaneous: When I opened the box everything on the list was included, including a separate uninstalled screen protector, but there was also an additional temporary screen protector installed from the factory. (It has a pull tab and rises on a slightly raised bezel, so it's definitely temporary). The metal body is very well made, doesn't creak when I try to bend it and the stitching looks good. The screen is also made of glass, or at least a very strong plastic. Although it's not a touchscreen, I tried applying pressure to it and couldn't (temporarily) deform the liquid crystal (seen as color ripples in the darker parts). of the video). . I've checked for dead pixels and haven't found any (test on full black, white, red, green and blue screens; I just googled "dead pixel test" and one of the top 5 results should work). The speaker (1 speaker) is adequate for voice but not very loud and clear as to be expected from a small speaker; There is a 3.5mm headphone jack on the screen when there are no other audio outputs on the host device. The flip cover attaches to the metal body of the screen with magnets and also stays closed with magnets. The cover can still slide or detach from the case, so be careful just holding it by the cover, but the magnets work the same as other magnetized covers I've seen on other devices (Kindle covers, Surface covers ). The magnets on the lid also make it easier to fold/invert the lid into a usable stand, but I still wouldn't tilt it more than 45 degrees from horizontal unless I was standing on a sturdy tabletop; I would add a portable tablet stand (even a dollar would probably be a big improvement in stability). The port connectors felt secure, maybe a bit tight, but things like that loosen up a bit with use. The supplied cables also seem to be much more durable than the cheap cables that are on the market. It's up to me, but I've forgotten how big 15.6-inch widescreens are (I'm used to seeing 14-inch laptops), so while it's nice to have that bigger screen for video (although it's still 1080p) for my use and lots 14 inches seems like the practical limit. Also, as other reviewers have said, the brightness level resets to 50% when the device is turned off, and this setting is really dim (external power boosts the overall brightness, but 50% still stays dim). to adjust the brightness, and while it can be powerful enough because it's small and has some play, it feels like it could be the first to break since it's a moving part and gets a lot of use. I can't say much about durability and support after purchasing this model as I only tried it for 10 days. but looks good. I could leave it as long as the brightness level doesn't reset and if the USB power to the screen doesn't crash my phone (and instead charges both devices) and maybe all the video, power and data connections are on the same side. Due to my intended use with my Android phone I will be returning this non-touch 15.6 inch Lepow and will continue testing with the 13.3 inch touch screen although the 13.3 inch screen will cost me US$50 dollars more and currently has few reviews.