Overview: FOPO’s ‘triple’ laptop computer monitor is a highway warrior’s dream device

Value When Reviewed

$529

Moveable shows for laptops had been simply starting to take off…after which the pandemic hit. Right this moment, with two years to enhance the design, producers have moved on to moveable twin shows like FOPO’s 13.3-inch “triple” moveable monitor for laptops — and the idea, at the very least, is among the most badass laptop computer equipment you should buy.

Primarily, the FOPO 13.3-inch “triple” show provides two additional 1080p 13.3-inch shows to your laptop computer, swiveling in from both aspect. When you’d just like the attraction and threat of proudly owning considered one of these triple shows summed up, right here it’s: If the show suits your laptop computer and if you have got the fitting ports and if the show survives the journey, it’s a terrific addition to your in a single day bag or backpack. Simply be sure to examine all of the bins.

FOPO provided its 13.3-inch “triple” moveable IPS monitor (S16) for assessment, and although the $529 value appears extreme, it’s additionally value noting that particular person moveable shows price roughly $200 or barely much less. A unified “triple” show combining two collectively could also be value the additional cash. Shopping Amazon.com, you’ll see a couple of of those “triple” moveable shows, that are basically brackets or frameworks mounting a small moveable show on both aspect of your laptop computer, creating a complete of three screens. Although the manufacturers differ — OFIYAA, FICIHP, and SideTrak, which makes use of a barely completely different design — all of them provide the identical attraction: When you have multiple show at residence, you’ll see the identical profit from moveable shows on the highway, too. These, after all, slide into your bag.

Listed below are the fundamental specs of the 13.3-inch triple show (mannequin S16) as provided by FOPO. Most of those specs embrace some vital positive print, which we’ll talk about as we undergo the assessment.

FOPO 13.3-inch Triple Moveable Monitor (S16) fundamental options:

Shows: two 13.3-inch non-touch (1920×1080) IPS panels (60Hz)

• 220-350 nits rated
• 800:1 rated distinction ratio
• 74% NTSC rated coloration gamut
• 25ms/30ms response time

Inputs (per show): 1 USB-C (Thunderbolt 3), 1 USB-C (energy solely), 1 miniHDMI

Dimensions: 14.1×9.2×1 in.

Weight: 2.87 lb

FOPO’s “triple” monitor mounts the 2 shows on both aspect of your laptop computer’s display screen, supporting them by way of a plastic framework or bracket that slides collectively utilizing a rack-and-pinion gear, greedy your laptop computer on all 4 corners. Setting it up takes a minute or two of fiddling, for the reason that framework basically hangs off the highest of your laptop computer’s display screen, and is secured by a pair of tabs on the backside two corners. Laptops with robust supporting hinges might be able to help the two.87-lb “triple” show by themselves. In any other case, a skinny popout kickstand will help help the contraption in case you desire to work with the show reclined.

Having used FOPO’s “triple” show for a couple of days, we are able to verify that the idea is sound. When you’re the kind of one that believes that their productiveness will increase by having the ability to see extra screens (or display screen area) without delay, than this FOPO show suits the invoice. True, Home windows already helps choices for single-screen work, together with notifications and digital desktops. Nevertheless, the aspect screens work completely for e-mail, chat, and different peripheral purposes, leaving the principle display screen on your major process.

Every display screen has a big vary of movement; the left display screen swivels as much as 235 levels, whereas the fitting swivels 180 levels. Due to the best way the screens are oriented, that implies that the left show can swivel all the best way to the “again” of your laptop computer, remodeling it right into a supplementary show for displays in a pinch.

Earlier than contemplating FOPO’s 13-inch moveable show, nevertheless, you need to be conscious of some vital caveats that received’t impression whether or not you can purchase it, however whether or not you may really use it. Sadly, we’d do you a disservice if we didn’t be aware these excessive up within the assessment.

Vital issues

When evaluating FOPO’s design, an important measurement isn’t listed among the many specs: The size of the laptop computer you already personal, which shall be encased by the “triple” laptop computer framework in any respect 4 corners. You’ll must personal a laptop computer that falls inside the following sizes:

• Size: 11.4-16.4 in. (291-417mm)
• Top: greater than 9 inches (230mm)
• Thickness: lower than 0.28 in. (7mm)

Do not casually learn this and suppose, everyone has a laptop computer that’s between 11 and 16 inches. Laptop computer shows are measured by way of the diagonal, and whereas a 13-inch Razer Ebook measures a enough 11.6 inches lengthy, the display screen ratio pushes it beneath the required 9 inches excessive, at 7.2 inches. It received’t match. Likewise, the thickness of laptops is often measured whereas closed. On this case, it’s the thickness of the highest half, wherein the show is mounted, which issues. Occupied with mounting two shows alongside your Floor Professional 8? At 0.37 in., that pill is just too thick. Plan out your buy, or threat sending it again.

Mark Hachman / IDG

FOPO lists quite a few supported laptops in its Amazon itemizing, which shouldn’t be taken as gospel. When you personal a laptop computer that meets the specs (Microsoft’s Floor Laptop computer Studio appeared to work properly, in my case) you need to be okay. You’d be properly served to seek the advice of your laptop computer’s guide or its on-line specs before you purchase, or pull out a ruler as an alternative.

Mark Hachman / IDG

Secondly, you’ll additionally must know the ports your laptop computer makes use of. This can be a good-better-best scenario. When you personal a laptop computer with two USB-C Thunderbolt ports (both Thunderbolt 3 or Thunderbolt 4) you’ll have the ability to merely join every port to the corresponding port on the show — the included pair of USB-C to USB-C cables will provide energy in addition to knowledge, and that’s that.

When you lack these ports or your laptop computer has a single non-Thunderbolt USB-C port or a single HDMI port, you’ll have to make use of the 2 pairs of included cables (USB-C to USB-A, or HDMI to mini HDMI) to determine separate video and energy connections to every show. It’s possible you’ll want to attach the included 2-amp energy adapter, too. Primarily, you may find yourself with cables snaking throughout your desk in case you personal an older laptop computer.

One quirk of the design (which seems to be the identical for competing triple-display producers, too) is that FOPO didn’t take the time to regulate the button format for the 2 shows. In different phrases, the buttons are organized appropriately on the left-hand show, and upside-down on the opposite.

Mark Hachman / IDG

The third and ultimate caveat entails the design of the FOPO show, and the way it’s packaged. FOPO apparently opted for a folding design, slightly than thicker “sandwich” possibility. Which means once you fold the show down, one display screen is folded inward, defending it, however the different is uncovered to the skin world. We’d suggest shopping for a laptop computer display screen or even perhaps packing the FOPO “triple” show inside its field whereas touring. That makes it a bit much less moveable, however will assist shield it. (FOPO additionally contains two display screen protector movies contained in the field for added safety.)

Mark Hachman / IDG

Efficiency: Don’t overlook your laptop computer charger

Stepping by way of all of those caveats is exhausting. Happily, really utilizing the FOPO 13.3-inch moveable monitor is way easier.

The triple show does take a minute or two to arrange, whereas guaranteeing every nook of the laptop computer’s display screen finds its corresponding area of interest inside the bracket. Happily, the Microsoft Floor Laptop computer Studio I used as a check mattress included a pair of Thunderbolt 4 ports. Don’t fear in case your laptop computer locations each ports on one aspect, because the USB-C cables are lengthy sufficient to accommodate this.

The bracket seems to be constructed of plastic, placing a stability between weight and stability. There’s positively some wiggle within the chassis, however every show’s hinge is powerful sufficient to protect the display screen orientation. On the Studio, nevertheless, the kickstand didn’t all the time attain lengthy sufficient to help the laptop computer, although Microsoft’s construct high quality appeared over-engineered sufficient to help it. I do have issues concerning the long-term impression of the bracket’s weight on a laptop computer’s display screen glass, however I merely can’t check whether or not they’re unfounded or not.

Mark Hachman / IDG

Don’t anticipate uniformity between the 2 shows. The vary of luminances FOPO quotes needs to be a clue; the fitting show output a snug 311 nits at most brightness, whereas the left show put out a surprisingly excessive most of 426 nits, primarily based on our colorimeter. These are each greater than sufficient for the 260 nits or so we deem appropriate for on a regular basis work.

Not surprisingly, nevertheless, the colour gamut was nothing to write down residence about: a measured 74 % of the sRGB gamut, and 55 % or so of AdobeRGB. Every display screen has its personal {hardware} changes for brightness, distinction, coloration temperature and extra. There’s additionally an possibility to attenuate blue gentle and even a so-called HDR mode, although there’s no official certification that we may discover. Don’t anticipate an excessive amount of right here.

Mark Hachman / IDG

Naturally, the extra screens eat further energy, and powering them with out an exterior energy draw may have a profoundly detrimental impression on battery life. Utilizing our normal battery rundown check (display screen set to a hard and fast brightness degree, taking part in again a single looped 4K film with earbuds plugged in) the Floor Laptop computer Studio’s battery life dropped from practically 13.5 hours (809 minutes) to 181 minutes, or about 3 hours. That’s an over 75 % lower. Oof. Keep plugged in when you’re utilizing FOPO’s screens.

Mark Hachman / IDG

Conclusion: A distinct segment product, however an honest one

FOPO provides you loads of causes not to purchase its “triple” show, from its energy consumption, the uncovered display screen design, the match, even its foolish identify. Truthfully, although, we are able to’t assist however prefer it. On Amazon, the place FOPO (and it rivals) can management their listings, the producer is extraordinarily specific concerning the required dimensions of the laptop computer. As extra laptops undertake Thunderbolt, too, the attraction of this show will widen. Most of all, we have now reservations about how the display screen is uncovered to the skin world, and suspect that some type of sleeve or case shall be added in over time.

To be honest, the extra screens are a little bit unfriendly in a espresso store and even in a communal workspace. (Manspreading, meet nerdspreading.) Alternatively, it could appear completely cheap to tote a light-weight, moveable, long-lasting pocket book from assembly to assembly, then join the FOPO “triple” show (and the laptop computer charger!) for some productive late-night work.

So FOPO’s “triple’ show is, for us, a distinct segment product. That’s not a criticism — it addresses the necessity for added screens on the go exceedingly properly. We’d simply suggest that in case you purchase it, you accomplish that with eyes broad open. And, ahem, a ruler close by.