Unleashing Portability: Review of the ViewSonic TD1655 15.6-Inch Touch Monitor for On-the-Go Productivity

A portable touchscreen monitor may be considered a specialized item, yet it can serve as a valuable asset for individuals needing additional screen space while on the go. Potential applications for such a device include providing touch functionality to non-touch laptops or desktops, facilitating dual-display setups while traveling, or simply offering a larger screen for use with a compact laptop when required. One device that aligns with this description is the ViewSonic TD1655, a 15.6-inch portable touchscreen monitor that I am reviewing here.

Officially listed at Rs. 33,500 (although it can be found online for as low as Rs. 23,999), the ViewSonic TD1655 monitor offers ease of connectivity and usability, along with portability and touchscreen functionality. Is this distinctive portable monitor truly worth its price? Read on for my review.

The ViewSonic TD1655 is available in a single 15.6-inch size, with a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels.

Design of the ViewSonic TD1655 Monitor

Upon first inspection, the ViewSonic TD1655 monitor resembles a laptop more than a traditional monitor. It features a 15.6-inch display and has a thickness similar to certain laptops, such as the Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360 (Review), which I used during this review. Its shape and size significantly contribute to the TD1655’s portability, allowing you to easily slip it into a backpack or laptop case, often alongside the laptop itself. The monitor weighs slightly under 1kg.

The front of the ViewSonic TD1655 is dominated by its 15.6-inch full-HD IPS LED screen, with narrow bezels on three sides and a slightly wider bottom bezel displaying the brand’s logo. Included is a magnetic screen cover that folds neatly behind during usage and a kickstand that can be adjusted to keep the TD1655 upright.

A power button also serves as a navigation control to access the monitor’s basic settings and functions. At the bottom, small grilles house the two built-in speakers, featuring 0.8W speakers for a total rated output of 1.6W, which is fairly basic.

The ViewSonic TD1655 offers a range of connectivity options, including two USB Type-C ports, one Mini-HDMI port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack, all located on the left. The package sent to me included an HDMI to Mini-HDMI cable, a USB Type-C to Type-C cable, and a 60W power adapter. ViewSonic’s product page for the TD1655 also mentions the inclusion of a USB Type-A to Type-C cable and a passive stylus as part of the package.

Specifications and Connectivity of the ViewSonic TD1655 Monitor

The primary specification of the ViewSonic TD1655 is its full-HD (1920×1080 pixels, 60Hz) IPS-LED touchscreen, which supports 10-point multi-touch and gestures. It has a brightness rating of 250 nits and is compatible with an array of operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Chrome OS, Android, and Linux.

In my review, I utilized the Windows-based Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro laptop as the source device for the ViewSonic TD1655 monitor. This enabled me to connect using a single USB Type-C cable, supplying power, the display signal, and touch input simultaneously. However, this setup only functioned with the supplied USB Type-C cable; other cables, including the one provided with the Samsung laptop, were not compatible with the monitor.

The ViewSonic TD1655 features two USB Type-C ports and one Mini-HDMI port for connectivity.

Alternatively, I powered the monitor using its own adapter and cable, then connected a second USB Type-C cable or the provided HDMI to Mini-HDMI cable to a source device. The single-cable convenience is excellent, but note that in this scenario, the monitor will draw power from the laptop, leading to faster battery depletion.

Windows allowed me to configure the ViewSonic TD1655 either as the primary display or as a secondary monitor alongside the laptop’s screen. Both configurations functioned as anticipated based on my setup. The monitor powered on and displayed the source signal within seconds of connection when using the correct cables.

Performance of the ViewSonic TD1655 Monitor

While the ViewSonic TD1655’s screen isn’t significantly larger than many laptops, its utility stems from convenience and enabling touch functionality for devices that lack it. It excels in this regard, prioritizing ease of use and functionality.

As stated, the ViewSonic TD1655 powers up quickly and displays the signal from the connected device without requiring any user interaction. However, if two devices and cables are connected simultaneously, you’ll need to access the settings menu to switch between them. When the monitor is on and the display active, a single press of the menu button at the rear reveals the options for switching sources.

Additional controls include detailed settings for sound, picture mode, color adjustments, manual image adjustments, and miscellaneous device configurations. Navigating these menus can be somewhat challenging with the joystick-style button at the back, but this is likely not something you’ll do frequently. The customization options available are quite detailed, allowing for a considerable degree of control over the monitor’s specifics.

The ViewSonic TD1655 functioned effectively in a dual-screen setup when used with a laptop.

With the default image settings, the ViewSonic TD1655 delivered a crisp and detailed display. After making slight adjustments to brightness and contrast, I found it to remain clear and readable even in well-lit environments. While it may not rival the vivid AMOLED HDR display of the Samsung laptop, the monitor’s 15.6-inch screen was slightly larger and worked well in tandem, creating an impressive productivity-focused dual-screen setup.

The touch functionality on the monitor performed accurately, recognizing even the lightest taps and swipe gestures. Of course, this is aided by Windows 11’s improved touch interface, but the ViewSonic TD1655 managed my typical tasks effortlessly. I enjoyed watching videos or reading content while keeping another browser window open on the laptop for emails and websites.

For on-the-go productivity, the ViewSonic TD1655 portable monitor shines. The adjustable kickstand allows for angle adjustments up to 60 degrees, affording a wide range of usable positions. Additionally, with a stylus, it could be beneficial for creative users, providing extra screen space for note-taking, sketching, or reviewing documents and designs, among other applications. Its portability is a major advantage, as it sets up quickly as a second screen and can be stowed away as easily as any standard laptop.

Sound quality on the ViewSonic TD1655 monitor leaves much to be desired, given its compact size and modest power output. Even at maximum volume, it struggled to be heard in a quiet room, compounded by the issue of the monitor overriding audio from my test laptop, which has superior speakers. Using an external audio solution (wired or wireless) is strongly advisable, although it is certainly better than having no sound output at all.

Conclusion

The TD1655 monitor stands out as one of ViewSonic’s more intriguing offerings, catering to a unique array of functions commendably well. It is straightforward to set up and operate, performs effectively for its designated tasks, and is highly portable, making it easy to carry alongside a laptop. Moreover, the essential cables and accessories needed for proper operation are conveniently included.

My experience was marred slightly by challenges in using anything other than the supplied USB Type-C cable and adapter, and the built-in speaker quality was lacking. However, these are minor drawbacks that did not significantly affect my use of the ViewSonic TD1655, especially for productivity on the go and the valuable capability of a dual-screen setup without consuming excessive space or creating unnecessary clutter.