Acer PM161QB 15.6" Nero 2024

A featherweight 1080p sidekick for your laptop that's perfect for documents and totally lost on color. It's the definition of a one-job monitor, and it does that job without complaining.

The 1080p resolution on a 15.6-inch screen keeps text looking clean and crisp, which is exactly what you want for an office sidekick. What surprised us is how well it handles basic connectivity with dual USB-C ports that carry both video and up to 15W of power delivery. The 4ms response time is fine for zero ghosting in documents, but don't expect much from the 250-nit brightness. In our database, the color performance sits at the very bottom, so any photo or video work is a non-starter. It's a one-trick pony, and that trick is productivity.

The PM161Q goes head-to-head with other portable panels like the ASUS ZenScreen series. The ASUS often packs a built-in battery and a slightly brighter panel, which makes it more flexible for true mobile use. If you're chained to a desk and just need a cheap second monitor, a basic 24-inch desktop display like a Dell S2725QC will give you a bigger, brighter screen for similar money. The Acer's only real win is its grab-and-go simplicity. It's not trying to beat gaming monitors like the ASUS TUF VG34VQL1B or the LG UltraGear, and it absolutely shouldn't be compared to them.

Pricing for this thing is all over the map, with listings ranging from a reasonable $100 to an absurd $21,595 for bulk packs. For a single unit, if you can snag it around that low end, it's a solid deal for a no-frills portable display. Just make sure you're buying from a vendor with a sane price and not accidentally ordering a 5-pack for a small fortune.

The Acer PM161Q is a straightforward portable monitor that nails the basics for getting work done on the go. It's a 15.6-inch 1080p IPS panel that connects over USB-C and weighs just over two pounds, so it slides into a laptop bag without much fuss. The one thing to know is that this display is built purely for spreadsheets, emails, and maybe a side Slack window. It's not going to wow you with color or brightness, but for a second screen at a coffee shop, it gets the job done.

If you're a photographer, video editor, or anyone who needs even remotely accurate colors, this monitor is a hard pass. The color performance is dead last in our database. Go grab an ASUS ProArt portable display instead. Also, if you work outside or in bright cafes, the dim 250-nit screen will leave you squinting.

Buy the Acer PM161Q if you need a lightweight, dead-simple second screen for your laptop and you mostly work indoors with text. It's a purpose-built tool for spreadsheet warriors and email triage. If you need anything involving accurate color, high brightness for outdoor use, or a built-in battery, look elsewhere. This monitor knows exactly what it is, and it doesn't pretend to be anything else.