Asus has one of the vital intensive catalogs of moveable displays on the market, and it has not too long ago expanded with the addition of the ZenScreen Ink (MB14AHD). This 14-inch system provides contact and a stylus to the combo whereas providing stable design and value.
The ZenScreen Ink includes a 14-inch IPS panel with a 1920 x 1080 decision. 14-inches is on the smaller aspect for moveable displays, however Asus will gladly promote you bigger choices just like the 15.6-inch ZenScreen Go MB16AWP and the 17.3-inch ROG Strix XG17AHPE in case you choose a extra expansive display screen.
One factor you do not see too typically on the greatest moveable gaming displays is a shiny display screen, which may distract customers resulting from unpleasant reflections. With a price ticket of $369, the ZenScreen Ink isn’t low-cost and you actually need to need a show with pen help to justify the worth.
Asus ZenScreen Ink Transportable Monitor Specs
| Panel Sort / Backlight | IPS / WLED |
| Display screen Dimension / Facet Ratio | 14 inches / 16:9 |
| Max Decision and Refresh Charge | 1920×1080 @ 60Hz |
| Coloration Depth | 8-bit |
| Max Brightness | 220 nits |
| Response Time | 5ms |
| Distinction Ratio | 800:01:00 |
| View Angles | 170 levels (Horizontal and Vertical) |
| Display screen Coating | Shiny |
| Ports | 1x Mini-HDMI, 2x USB-C (DisplayPort 1.2 Alt Mode) |
| Audio system | Sure |
| Dimensions | 12.76 x 7.92 x 0.49 inches |
| Weight | 1.91 kilos |
Design of the Asus ZenScreen Ink (MB14AHD)
The ZenScreen Ink appears to be like just like different Asus moveable displays. The identical primary design is unbroken, with skinny bezels alongside the highest and sides and a big “chin” on the backside. The ASUS brand is featured prominently in chrome on the heart of the chin.
Whereas many of the Asus displays we have reviewed characteristic matte, anti-glare overlaying for the show, the ZenScreen employs a shiny end. Glass covers all the entrance of the show, together with the chin. Design-wise, it appears to be like clear and fashionable. Nevertheless, even with brightness cranked to the max, I could not escape reflections whereas working exterior with the monitor linked to my laptop computer.
The proper and prime sides of the ZenScreen Ink are devoid of any buttons. All of the motion takes place on the left-hand aspect, which homes an influence button and three buttons for navigating the OSD. Under the buttons are a micro-HDMI, two USB-C (DisplayPort Alt-Mode), and one 3.5mm audio jack. The again of the ZenScreen Ink includes a stand that takes up all the width of the monitor. It provides 150 levels of movement and stays in place at no matter angle you choose.
You may discover rubber ft on the underside of the monitor and the stand, which helps to maintain it from sliding in your desk or different laborious surfaces. Additionally situated on the underside of the monitor is a 1/4-inch threaded socket to mount on a tripod. The chassis is manufactured from plastic, whereas the hinged kickstand is manufactured from aluminum.
General, the ZenScreen Ink is well-built and stable all through. There may be little or no flex to the chassis, and the built-in and hinged stand is a a lot better thought-out resolution than what we have seen from the likes of InnoCN with its removable, magnetic stand.
With that mentioned, you may need to take full benefit of the included protecting case when transporting the ZenScreen Ink. It is a sturdy canvas-style pouch with a felt-like materials on the within to guard the display screen. The pouch closes with a Velcro flap. For the reason that glass covers the entrance of the show edge-to-edge, dropping it on the ground or hitting it in opposition to a tough floor may make it extra prone to wreck.
On-screen Show for the Asus ZenScreen Ink (MB14AHD)
Asus makes use of a number of methods to navigate its on-screen show (OSD) on its displays. The corporate seemingly decides on a whim which to incorporate, starting from a 5-way joystick to a row of buttons, to the Asus Dial.
Within the case of the ZenScreen Ink, 4 buttons aid you to navigate the OSD: the ability button and three unmarked buttons under it. The ability button can function a cancel or again button, relying on how deep you might be into the menu system. The opposite three buttons affirm a variety or scroll up/down by the menu system. It isn’t as intuitive as Asus’ joystick management scheme, nevertheless it’s higher, in my view than the Asus Dial.
When you get used to the controls, the OSD is just like what we have seen in earlier Asus displays just like the ROG Strix XG16AHPE. There are devoted Blue Gentle Filter controls, enter choice, and changes for Brightness, Distinction, Saturation, and Coloration Temp. There are additionally eight “Splendid” show modes (i.e., Customary, sRGB, Theater, Surroundings, Studying Mode, and so forth.). You’ve got choices to set shortcuts for issues just like the Blue Gentle Filter and Distinction, and to save lots of your 4 favourite configurations for the ZenScreen Ink.
The highest of every menu display screen throughout the OSD reveals you the present Splendid Mode, the port the monitor is linked to, the present decision, and the refresh fee.
Picture High quality and Efficiency of the Asus ZenScreen Ink (MB14AHD)
There’s a steep drop-off in brightness and shade readability when viewing the show off-axis. When wanting straight on the monitor, pictures seem fantastic. However tilting the display screen again simply 15 to twenty levels is sufficient to dim the display screen dramatically. It’s the same state of affairs whenever you rotate the display screen to the correct or left by 30 to 40 levels.
Once more, this gained’t be an issue in case you’re sitting straight in entrance of the ZenScreen Ink. Nonetheless, in case you are it from even a reasonable angle or attempting to share content material with one other individual, you’re going to be upset.
I discussed glare earlier on this assessment, and I’ll point out it once more right here. It’s a hindrance outside, and also you’ll need to discover a near-perfect angle to keep away from annoying reflections. I didn’t have such issues indoors, the place most individuals will use the ZenScreen Ink. Steer clear of home windows or vivid overhead lights, and you need to be fantastic.
This can be a 14-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) panel rated for 220 nits and a distinction ratio of 800:1. The IPS panel has a claimed response time of 5ms and a most refresh fee of 60 Hz.
When it got here time to topic the ZenScreen Ink to our instrumented testing, issues took an attention-grabbing flip. We must always have identified that one thing was amiss when there have been no figures listed for sRGB and DCI-P3 protection listed by Asus. Our colorimeter confirmed that the ZenScreen Ink pulled useless final in our sizable subject of moveable displays, with 60.3 % sRGB protection and 42.7 % DCI-P3 protection.
These figures put it under even the MSI MAG161V, which had sRGB and DCI-P3 scores of 70.1 % and 49.6 %, respectively. Evidently, this is not a really colourful monitor. So long as you are not anticipated to carry out color-critical work, the ZenScreen Ink needs to be fantastic. However loads of different moveable displays on this sector offers you extra shade in your buck.
However, the ZenScreen Ink was an overachiever concerning brightness. Asus specs it at 220 nits, however we measured a outstanding 273.4 nits. And you may want each little bit of that further gentle output to offset the panel’s downsides.
I examined the Asus ZenScreen Ink by watching the primary two episodes of She-Hulk: Lawyer at Legislation, Pixar’s Lightyear, and one in all my childhood favourite films: Flight of the Navigator. In each occasion, the colours simply appeared barely “off” with pores and skin tones skewing extra to an unnatural orange. General, films and TV reveals regarded a bit darkish and boring to my eyes. Whereas the ZenScreen Ink will not double as a cinema-grade monitor, on a regular basis productiveness efficiency was simply fantastic throughout my day by day duties. I sometimes used the monitor as a second display screen to deal with my Slack conversations, Google Docs information and Excel spreadsheets.
Talking of productiveness, the ZenScreen Ink has a built-in accelerometer that mechanically rotates the display screen from panorama to portrait, relying on its orientation. And with contact display screen help, you possibly can navigate by Home windows 10 and Home windows 11 with the 10-point multi-touch help.
If you wish to jot down some notes or attempt your hand at freehand drawing, Asus features a Stylus Pen, which I discovered to work simply fantastic. The Stylus Pen attaches magnetically to the aspect of the show when not in use, and there are two shortcut buttons on the pen because of a rocker swap. Microsoft Pen Protocol 2.0 is supported, and the Stylus Pen has 4,000 stress ranges. It helps palm rejection and is powered by a single AAAA battery.
I’ve a gripe with Asus concerning the battery; the corporate doesn’t embody one within the field. Most people have AA or AAA batteries round the home, however AAAA isn’t precisely generally used for family units. I picked up a two-pack of AAAA batteries from Lowe’s House Enchancment simply to check the Stylus Pen.
Backside Line
Asus packed lots of options into the ZenScreen Ink, together with a sturdy kickstand, a glass-covered show, auto-rotation help, and a Stylus Pen. Asus even features a high quality carrying case within the field.
Nevertheless, Asus actually skimped on the panel, which was confirmed by our off-axis testing and subpar shade efficiency. And if Asus goes to supply a Stylus Pen that requires AAAA batteries, the least it may do is embody one. That could be a important oversight that many shoppers probably aren’t anticipating after they open the field.
Priced at $369, the ZenScreen Ink is not low-cost. At that value, you’ll find bigger 15.6-inch displays. In the event you do not want contact or pen help, Innocn’s 15A1F moveable monitor is available in effectively underneath $300 and has a vastly superior OLED panel. Likewise, the 13.3-inch InnoCN 13K1F additionally packs a colourful OLED panel with a present value of round $180 on Amazon. In the event you completely will need to have contact and pen help, the 15.6-inch ViewSonic TD1655 (opens in new tab) is a compelling providing at simply $270.
Asus tried to make the ZenScreen Ink a jack of all trades, nevertheless it finally ends up being a grasp of none.
