Even if interest in such a screen isn’t due solely to the advent of telework, having a small, portable secondary screen can be very practical in many situations. I’m going to show you one of these monitors, sold by Philips, of the 3000 series, in USB-C, in order to share my experience with you. The model tested is 16B1P3302.
Featherweight and minimalist design
Let’s already address the first point, the one related to the physical side of the product. The screen is very light, very thin and has an adjustable base that does its job very well, on which there are also contacts and buttons.
The screen edges are very thin except for the bottom edges which feature the Philips logo which allows you to fold/hold it without placing your fingers on the screen.
In terms of connectors, there are only two: USB-C and a 3.5mm jack. You also have several buttons on the back to activate the OSD and make some adjustments.
Finally, know that the monitor is sold with a very nice carrying case and a USB-C cable with an adapter to USB-A.
characteristics and performance
Being a portable monitor, hope you can’t expect HDR at 4k 120fps. Of course, it’s an extra screen but it’s not underperforming for all that. The Philips 3000 has a 16-inch 1080p panel.
The matte finish limits reflections and the image quality is really decent for such a product. It seems like a bit of a term at first, but you get used to it. However, I was pretty good at 100% gloss. Perhaps this is a technical limitation to avoid consuming too much. The definition is perfect for such a panel size that really allows for dual screen convenience.
To be able to use it, your computer’s USB-C port must be DP-Alt compatible. It’s a technology that enables DisplayPort over USB C 3.1 by sending the 100W (I think) power needed to power the monitor. For my part, my desktop (although modern, with an Asus B550 Gaming F motherboard) was not compatible, while my professional laptop (A Dell Precision 5550 was perfect, as was my iPad Pro Gen 5.
When I plugged in my iPad Pro, I noticed that the screen was equipped with an accelerometer! Its portrait mode is instantly recognised. Very practical even if having such a screen for an iPad doesn’t seem very useful to me.
Finally, Smart Picture mode lets you choose a preset of screen settings that are supposed to adapt to different situations (film, photo editing, office automation, etc.) I found this feature to be of little use. I think everyone will prefer to adjust their screen at their own discretion. However, it does have the advantage of menu.
A mobile screen isn’t meant to replace a computer monitor or TV, and it goes without saying. This is something you should keep in mind if you are looking for such a product. What will take precedence is its compactness, proper minimal rendering, a minimum resolution of 1080p, a featherweight and enough connectivity to fulfill its role as an assistive, on-the-go display. And with the 3000 Series, I think Philips has pulled it off. If you are looking for a portable monitor for your computer, working remotely, then this model will do its job perfectly!
An article made from a product supplied by the manufacturer
More information about the Philips Series 3000 Portable Monitor.
