Have we met a screen that can keep up with our lives?
Why This 17.3-Inch Screen Caught Our Eye
We have a soft spot for gadgets that promise to make our daily chaos look a little more like choreography. The ARZOPA 17.3″ Portable Monitor immediately tugged at that part of us that believes our best self just needs one more screen. It’s big enough to matter, yet slim and light enough to come along for the ride without feeling like we’ve adopted a houseplant.
We’ve tried smaller portable monitors that felt like a compromise—nice as a novelty, but cramped for anything serious. At 17.3 inches, this one hits the sweet spot: an actual workspace, not a postage stamp pretending to be productivity. Add 1080P FHD resolution and a 103% sRGB IPS panel, and the colors don’t just show up—they sing in tune.
Design and Build: The Built-in Kickstand We Actually Use
We’ve lost count of how many flimsy folio cases we’ve propped up like origami only to watch them collapse at the worst moment. The built-in kickstand on this ARZOPA has a certain no-nonsense stability we appreciate, the way a good friend holds firm when the table wobbles. It pivots for landscape or portrait, and it adjusts to angles that suit our posture rather than punishing it.
We like the simple details: quick orientation changes for coding or reading, a stable footprint that doesn’t teeter, and a design that feels ready for a café, a co-working space, or a living room where the coffee table is the only desk we “own.”
Display Quality: 1080P FHD With 103% sRGB on an IPS Panel
The screen is where this portable monitor earns its keep. With 1080P FHD spread across 17.3 inches, we get clarity without the scaling headaches that sometimes come with higher resolutions in portable form. Text looks crisp, colors look lively, and the IPS panel keeps the image stable when we lean in the way we do during plot twists and deadline panic.
The 103% sRGB coverage matters more than the number suggests. It means our photos don’t look washed, our spreadsheets have real contrast, and our games don’t resemble life in a snow globe. We wouldn’t color-grade a feature film on it, but for everyday editing and creative work, it punches above its weight. Viewing angles are forgiving, so sharing the screen with a colleague or friend doesn’t turn into an awkward “no, stand here” dance.
Gaming Performance on the ARZOPA 17.3″ Portable Monitor, 1080P FHD 103% sRGB IPS Gaming Monitor Laptop Monitor with Built-in Kickstand HDMI USB C External Screen for PC Mac Phone Xbox PS5 – A1M
We’re not fooling ourselves: a portable screen is not a hulking, neon-lit gaming beast. But this ARZOPA gets a surprising amount right. The colors pop, the motion feels smooth during 60 FPS play, and latency never gave us the kind of nausea that makes us consider a new hobby like needlepoint. It pairs neatly with consoles like PS5 and Xbox, making a hotel room or dorm space feel less like a stopgap and more like a legitimate arena.
We ran through a mix of story-driven adventures and sports titles—nothing that would require an esports committee. The results were pleasingly consistent: no tearing, no drama, and a picture that invited us to stay a little longer than we promised we would. If you’re chasing the highest refresh rates and competitive edge, you’ll want a specialized rig. If you’re after a clean, immersive picture that follows you around, this is a happy match.
Connectivity and Compatibility: Type-C and Mini HDMI Without Drama
We have a relationship with cables that could be described as “strained,” which is why we appreciate what ARZOPA has done here. There’s USB-C for video and power, and mini HDMI for everything else. The single-cable setup is our favorite trick: one USB-C cable can carry both power and video if your laptop or device supports full-featured USB-C with DisplayPort Alt Mode and enough power output.
We’ve plugged into PCs, Macs, and consoles without having to download a bundle of drivers or recite a spell. For smartphones, it’s straightforward: devices with full-featured USB-C ports can use that same cable for video. If your phone doesn’t support video out, you’ll need the right adapter. Fair warning for anyone hoping to save battery: feeding this screen sometimes pulls power from your laptop, which is the price of convenience. A separate power source or a hub can help when you’re untethered for long stretches.
Multi-Display Modes: Duplicate, Extend, or Second Screen for the Way We Work
The ARZOPA monitor handles three display modes without fuss: duplicate, extend, and second screen. Duplicate mode is perfect for presentations—everyone sees the same thing, and no one gasps at your desktop icons. Extend mode turns everything into a two-screen ballet where a browser lives on one side and your to-do list does judgmental deep-breathing on the other. Second screen mode lets it act as the sole display, useful when the laptop needs to sit out the round and the portable takes center stage.
We use extend mode most days, dragging timelines, palettes, and Slack threads to the portable while keeping primary tasks on the main display. It’s like getting elbow room at the dinner table without having to remortgage the house.
Setup Experience: From Box to Picture in Minutes
We function best when unboxing feels more like opening a book than defusing a bomb. The ARZOPA is plug-and-play. We connected our laptop using a single USB-C cable and saw a picture right away, no drivers, no pleading with the gods of firmware. On a desktop without USB-C video output, mini HDMI did the job; we added a USB power source, and everything lit up as expected.
A few setup tips we learned the friendly way:
- If nothing shows up over USB-C, try the other USB-C port or use the included HDMI and a separate power cable.
- On Windows, Windows+P makes quick work of display modes.
- On macOS, System Settings > Displays makes the monitor easy to detect. Toggling “Mirror” off opens the joy of extending.
- If portrait mode is your thing, rotate the on-screen orientation in your OS and tilt the stand until it looks civilized.
Portability and Travel: The Sweet Spot at 17.3 Inches
This is the first portable monitor we’ve kept in our bag without planning a chiropractor visit. The extra screen space is meaningful, especially for side-by-side windows and watch-while-you-work arrangements. It’s big enough for a Netflix binge during travel and comfortably wide enough for timelines, side panels, and references.
We appreciate that the built-in stand means fewer accessories. It’s the difference between “grab-and-go” and “grab-and-hope.” Slide it into a sleeve and it survives the commute; set it on a coffee shop table and it doesn’t try to do yoga while you type.
Audio Notes: Keep It Simple
We’ve adopted a pragmatic approach with audio: we route sound through our laptop, console, or headphones. That keeps things predictable and pleasantly private when we’re working or gaming in public. If you’re planning a movie night, a small Bluetooth speaker or your laptop’s speakers pair nicely with the ARZOPA’s picture. For most portable setups, that’s what we prefer anyway.
Key Features at a Glance
A quick breakdown helps when we’re juggling decisions and trying not to spill coffee on anything important. Here’s what defines the ARZOPA A1M.
| Feature | What We Get |
|---|---|
| Screen size | 17.3 inches |
| Resolution | 1080P Full HD |
| Panel type | IPS |
| Color coverage | 103% sRGB (vibrant, accurate color for everyday creative work) |
| Stand | Built-in kickstand with multiple angles; landscape and portrait |
| Ports | USB-C (video + power, device-dependent), mini HDMI |
| Modes | Duplicate, Extend, Second screen |
| Compatibility | PC, Mac, smartphones (with video out), gaming consoles like PS5 and Xbox |
| Setup | Plug-and-play; no drivers required |
| Power | Single USB-C cable can carry power and video when supported; otherwise use HDMI + USB power |
Real-World Scenarios Where This Monitor Shines
Gamers on the Move
We love a screen that keeps our console from feeling tethered to a giant living room setup. This one slips beside our PS5 or Xbox, turns any table into a couch, and makes friendly sessions feel far less temporary. The color is lively, motion feels natural at standard console frame rates, and setup is fast enough that we don’t forget who’s paying for pizza.
Remote Workers and Multitaskers
We use the primary screen for focus and the ARZOPA for everything that wants our attention but shouldn’t steal it. Video calls, reference docs, Slack, mail—there’s a psychological relief that comes from giving these things their own real estate. It feels like finally labeling drawers.
Creatives and Visual Thinkers
When we’re working in Photoshop, Lightroom, or a non-linear editor, the second screen becomes the staging ground for palettes, tool panels, and previews. 103% sRGB keeps color honest. It isn’t a substitute for a calibrated studio display, but we’re not dragging that to a coffee shop, are we?
Students and Researchers
Research on one side, notes on the other. Seminars on one screen, assignment drafts on the second. For group projects, duplicate mode turns us into a presenter without the cringey part where everyone crowds around one laptop.
Presenters and Trainers
We connect it to a laptop via USB-C or HDMI and use duplicate mode to face an audience while keeping our laptop close. Or we extend the screen and keep our notes private while the ARZOPA shows the slides. It’s the portable version of looking organized.
Our Favorite Little Touches and Quirks
We appreciate that orientation changes feel natural. Portrait mode is a quiet hero for reading scripts, articles, or long web pages that discourage scrolling. The stand’s adjustability also means we’re not stuck with one angle; we can match our mood, our chair, or our questionable posture.
As for quirks, we learned quickly that soft surfaces can make any slim stand wobble. A book, a tray, or a laptop riser underneath goes a long way. We also found that the single-cable dream works perfectly until we ask too much of a timid USB port. When that happens, adding a separate power source feels less like a concession and more like being a grown-up who plans ahead.
Limitations and Trade-offs to Consider
- Resolution vs. size: 1080P at 17.3 inches is a practical match for productivity and games, but if you’re the kind of person who zooms in on pixels the way an art critic studies brushstrokes, you might want a 4K panel. For most uses, this hits the comfort zone where readability and portability intersect.
- Brightness outdoors: Like most portable monitors, direct sunlight is not its preferred habitat. Indoors and shade are its wheelhouse.
- Power through USB-C: Single-cable convenience sometimes means borrowing battery life from your laptop. If you’re away from outlets, bring a power bank or be ready to plug in sooner than expected.
- HDR and advanced gaming specs: There’s no promise of HDR wizardry or high refresh rates here. If you want the bleeding edge for competitive gaming, you’re shopping in a different aisle.
- Audio expectations: We treat audio as a separate affair. Headphones or a small speaker pair well and keep the experience pleasant.
None of these are deal-breakers for the use cases this monitor targets. They’re the trade-offs that come with portability and a sane price point.
Setup and Compatibility Tips We Wish We Knew on Day One
Getting the One-Cable Magic Working
- Use the USB-C port on your laptop or device that supports DisplayPort Alt Mode. Not all USB-C ports are created equal; some are just charging ports masquerading as multi-talented.
- If video doesn’t appear, switch to the mini HDMI connection for video and power the monitor via the other USB-C port from a wall adapter or power bank.
Consoles: PS5 and Xbox
- Use a standard HDMI-to-mini HDMI cable.
- Provide power via USB to the monitor.
- The picture should appear immediately. Adjust resolution on the console if needed.
Android and iPhone
- Many Android phones with USB-C support video out; a direct USB-C connection can work. If nothing shows, your phone may not support video output without an adapter.
- iPhone with USB-C can output video with the right cable. For older Lightning iPhones, use a Lightning-to-HDMI adapter and power via USB.
Windows and macOS Display Settings
- Windows: Windows+P toggles between Duplicate, Extend, and Second Screen Only. Use Display Settings for scaling.
- macOS: System Settings > Displays > Arrange lets us drag the white menu bar to the monitor if we want to make it the main display, or just set placement to match our desk layout. For portrait, choose rotated orientation in the same panel.
Power Basics
- If your laptop battery dips faster than usual, that’s the monitor’s dinner bell. Use a powered hub or a separate wall adapter to give the ARZOPA its own supply.
Performance for Creatives: Color That Behaves
We’ve been pleasantly surprised by how comfortable this screen is for creative tasks. 103% sRGB coverage means web and standard photo work look right. Skin tones are believable, gradients behave, and oversaturation isn’t an issue. IPS gives us consistent viewing angles, which we need when we’re inevitably leaning closer to nitpick.
For color-critical professional work, we still recommend a calibrated studio monitor. But when we’re on the move and need to review a shoot, fine-tune a design, or scrub through a cut, the ARZOPA holds its own with real confidence. If you’re serious about color, calibrate the panel—most operating systems and calibration tools make that simple. It won’t turn the ARZOPA into a full-on grading suite, but it tightens up the workflow.
Everyday Use: Emails, Spreadsheets, and That Second Brain
We’ve found that the biggest win is subtle: a calmer desk. Our main display hosts the thing we claim to be working on, while the ARZOPA quietly carries everything else—referencing docs, chats, calendars, notes, and the occasional video window. That separation reduces tab thrashing. It turns scattered attention into something approximating order, which we’ll take any day.
The 17.3-inch size shines for spreadsheets and dashboards. Columns stop feeling like a hallway of claustrophobia and start behaving like information. Reading long documents in portrait is also soothing; it’s a digital nod to a legal pad, without the pen smudges or the fear of leaving it at a coffee shop.
Comparisons: Where This Monitor Sits in the Landscape
- Versus 15.6-inch portables: The ARZOPA feels more like a real desk monitor. It’s not dramatically larger in bulk, but it’s meaningfully bigger in workspace. If you’ve ever wished your portable screen felt “enough,” 17.3 inches solves that.
- Versus 4K portables: 4K can look fantastic, but it often asks more of your laptop, introduces scaling quirks, and eats more power. For travel, 1080P keeps things simple, readable, and cooperative.
- Versus a 24-inch desk monitor: A 24-inch display wins for size and often for brightness, but it doesn’t fit in a bag or pivot to portrait as gracefully. The ARZOPA is the flexible friend, not the furniture.
Sustainability and Longevity: Keeping It in Good Shape
We’re fans of gear that lasts. A few habits help:
- Use a sleeve to keep the panel scratch-free in transit.
- Keep a spare USB-C cable with proper specs; cheap cables are the Achilles’ heel of simple setups.
- Don’t store it face-down on rough surfaces; we know, it’s tempting in a rush.
- Clean with a soft microfiber cloth, not a kitchen towel that moonlights as a Brillo pad.
- Update device firmware when appropriate; the monitor is plug-and-play, but your laptop benefits from staying current.
Who This Monitor Is For
- Gamers who want a console companion that travels well
- Remote workers who crave a clean, two-screen setup anywhere
- Students who juggle research, notes, and streaming sanity savers
- Creatives who need a color-faithful second screen on the go
- Presenters and trainers who want a portable, professional look
- Anyone who’s tired of juggling overlapping windows like a clumsy magician
Value for Money: Where the ARZOPA A1M Lands
We gauge value by how often we reach for something and how little it argues back. This monitor earns its keep by being the easiest way to turn any table into a real workspace. The built-in stand, the color accuracy, and the connectivity make it a reliable part of our daily routine rather than a “sometimes treat.”
We’re not paying for gimmicks we won’t use. We’re getting a big, competent screen that behaves the way we want it to. For us, that’s value.
Tips and Tricks to Get More Out of It
- Use portrait for reading, coding, and long-form content. Your neck and patience will thank you.
- Keep the brightness at a comfortable mid-level indoors to save power and extend laptop battery life.
- For console sessions, put the monitor at eye level with a slim stand or stacked books—your back will consent to longer playtime.
- On Windows, set custom scaling per display so the ARZOPA and your primary screen both look crisp without lopsided text.
- Color-calibrate if you work with photos or design; even basic calibration brings pleasing consistency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can one USB-C cable really handle both power and video?
Yes, if your device’s USB-C port supports DisplayPort Alt Mode and provides enough power. If not, use HDMI for video and a separate USB power cable.
Will it work with PS5 and Xbox?
Yes. Connect via HDMI for video and provide power via USB. It’s straightforward and stable.
Does it require drivers?
No. It’s plug-and-play on modern Windows and macOS systems. Most Android devices with video-out also work without special drivers.
Can we use it with a phone?
If the phone supports video output over USB-C, yes. Otherwise, you’ll need an appropriate adapter (e.g., USB-C or HDMI adapter). Provide power to the monitor via USB.
Is it good for photo and video editing?
For on-the-go edits and reviews, absolutely. With 103% sRGB, color is lively and consistent. For final, color-critical work, use a calibrated studio monitor as your reference.
How stable is the built-in kickstand?
On firm surfaces, it’s steady and pleasant to use. On soft or uneven spaces, place a book, tray, or laptop stand under it for extra stability.
Is 1080P enough on a 17.3-inch screen?
For most tasks and games, yes. It balances sharpness, readability, and power efficiency. If you need ultra-fine detail for specialized work, consider higher resolution panels.
Can it run as the only display?
Yes. Use Second Screen mode to make it the sole display, which is handy when your laptop lid is closed or you need a minimal setup.
Productivity Gains We Didn’t Expect
We knew a second screen would help. We didn’t expect it to calm our workspace like a cup of tea. The ARZOPA took the clutter that lives in our digital peripheral vision and gave it a home. It reduced window shuffling, cut the time we spend switching contexts, and made research sessions feel less like a juggling act and more like a stroll with a very smart dog.
And the psychological shift matters. When we pick it up, we feel like we’re setting up a little stage, even in places that don’t feel “work-ready.” It turns a temporary space—coffee shop, kitchen table, airport lounge—into a place where good work can happen.
Gaming Nights: The Couch We Carry With Us
We learned to pack the monitor, a console, a controller, and a bag of snacks with the same ritual usually reserved for picnics. Plugging the ARZOPA into a console feels like setting up a small, polite living room. The picture is bright and colorful, the motion is pleasing, and the inputs feel responsive enough for everything short of elite competition. If we’re playing co-op on the go, we’d rather have this than roll our eyes at tiny hotel TVs.
When Portrait Mode Becomes Our Secret Weapon
We thought portrait mode was a gimmick until we used it for a week. Now it holds the reading list while we write, stacks our code beside the browser preview, and puts long PDFs into a shape that doesn’t require a new neck. The kickstand handles the rotation gracefully, and the OS settings make it easy. It’s one of those features that feels “nice to have” until it becomes “can’t live without.”
The Honest Bits: What We’d Change If We Could
If we could wave a wand, we’d grant it a bit more brightness for bright environments and add a whisper of high-refresh magic for the gamers among us who measure milliseconds. But we also know those changes bring cost, complexity, and power demands that would push it out of the lane it occupies so well. As it stands, the ARZOPA’s decisions feel considered: simplicity, reliability, and color that doesn’t get shy.
Little Routines That Make It Better
- We keep a short USB-C cable in the sleeve so we aren’t wrangling a snake of cords in public.
- We set a custom wallpaper, something calm and not too bright, to keep battery life friendly.
- We use a slim, foldable laptop stand to put the ARZOPA at eye level, transforming posture from gremlin to human.
- We keep a microfiber cloth tucked in the sleeve; fingerprints love company.
The Setup We Love Most
Our favorite arrangement is simple: laptop as the primary, ARZOPA to the side in landscape or portrait. We run music or calls through headphones, a minimal mouse and keyboard, and a notebook for the things we’re not ready to admit belong in a spreadsheet. It all fits on a café table without making us look like we’re starting an IT department.
Quality of Life: The Gift of Elbow Room
Unexpected perks keep showing up. We’ll keep a to-do app or calendar open on the ARZOPA all day and notice we’re less likely to fall into the rabbit hole of tabs. A reference image sits beside the main canvas while we work. On video calls, we pin the grid to the portable so the main screen remains a canvas, not a mirror. None of these things are dramatic on their own. Together, they make the day feel less like triage.
The Short List: Strengths and Trade-offs
What We Love
- 17.3 inches feels properly spacious without killing portability
- 103% sRGB IPS panel brings color and consistency
- Built-in kickstand that actually behaves
- USB-C and mini HDMI cover our bases
- Plug-and-play across PC, Mac, phones with video-out, and consoles
- Duplicate, Extend, and Second Screen modes that work without elbow grease
What We Accept
- 1080P is practical, not pixel-bragging
- Sunlit environments are not its native habitat
- One-cable setups depend on the kindness of your device’s USB-C port
- For high-refresh gaming, this isn’t the specialist you’re hiring
The Bottom Line: What It’s Like to Live With the ARZOPA A1M
We’ve been carrying this screen long enough to measure its worth not in specs but in weekends saved and weekdays smoothed. It’s the portable monitor we actually use, not the one we think we might use “someday.” It turns cramped digital spaces into livable ones, and it does so without tantrums, tutorials, or a nest of cables.
If what you want is an expansive, color-faithful, easy-going portable display that pairs as happily with a laptop as it does with a console, the ARZOPA 17.3″ Portable Monitor, 1080P FHD 103% sRGB IPS Gaming Monitor Laptop Monitor with Built-in Kickstand HDMI USB C External Screen for PC Mac Phone Xbox PS5 – A1M delivers. It has the steadiness of a good friend and the portability of a guilty pleasure. We pack it, we use it, and we’d miss it if it were gone.
Final Verdict
We recommend this monitor to anyone who’s tired of pretending a single screen is enough and knows they work and play better with room to breathe. The size is meaningful, the picture is honest, and the setup is painless. It’s not a peacock of specs; it’s a reliable companion that makes our day go better. In our bag and on our desk, it has earned its spot.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
