If you’re looking for a portable monitor to enhance your remote office setup, the Newsoul 15.6” portable monitor may be the option for you.
Designed to deliver a Full HD picture, the Newsoul portable monitor is a multi-functional, affordable, and lightweight external monitor. I have used it extensively to increase my productivity while traveling and working remotely.
You can find the Newsoul monitor on Amazon for $149 – $269.
I managed to get mine on sale for $169.
It has been money well-spent.
Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links, meaning I get a small commission, at no cost to you, from sharing my product recommendations.
Newsoul Portable Monitor Specs
With a Full HD 1080P screen (1920 x 1080 pixels), the resolution of the Newsoul portable monitor delivers a clear, crisp picture. Whether you’re working on spreadsheets, word documents, or using this monitor to enhance your Nintendo Switch or iPhone gaming, the size and resolution of the screen delivers a great experience.
Specs include:
- 15.6 inch screen size
- 1920 x 1080 pixels
- 178° viewing range
- Meaning the image comes across just as clear when viewing the monitor front and center and when viewing the monitor from the side
- In-monitor stereo speaker
- 1.99 lbs.
- Includes wall mount attachment
- Built-in blue light filter to help with eye fatigue
- Can connect with laptops, PCs, phones, PS3/PS4, and Xbox One
- Also includes a Smart Cover case that protects the monitor and acts as stand
Multi Functional
I use the Newsoul portable monitor as a second screen while I travel and work remotely. It is lightweight and thin enough to fit in my work backpack without issue. I have enjoyed using this monitor working from cafes and hotel lobbies.
Movies and Gaming
There are quite a few other uses for this external screen outside of work. This includes watching movies or playing games streamed through an iPhone or Android, or using it to enhance playing Nintendo Switch games.
Work Uses
In addition to a secondary screen for working on spreadsheets or creating Word documents, the portable monitor can be used as a visual aid during conference room presentations. It also can be set up as a portrait orientated screen for working on page layout and design.
Home Gym
Do you have a home gym?
Maybe you invested in a Peloton bike or elliptical during the pandemic. If you’re looking for an affordable way to set up a screen to stream your favorite show or to watch YouTube while you workout, the Newsoul external monitor can be a quick solution.
It comes with a wall mount attachment at the back of the monitor that can be mounted to your home gym wall. Simply attach your phone or laptop to the screen to stream while you get your sweat on.
Be sure to double check your phone has the right port to connect to the monitor.
Connecting a Phone to the Newsoul Portable Monitor
For iPhone, you will either have to get:
- A lightning to a mini HDMI adapter
- A USB-C digital AV multiport adapter
- A Lightning Digital AV Adapter
This is mainly due to the Newsoul monitor not having a regular USB port on the frame of the monitor.
Having said that, most iMacs do have Type-C ports and will be able to connect to the Newsoul monitor without an adapter.
The branding on the Amazon listing of the Newsoul monitor shows it seamlessly connecting to a phone for streaming. I’m assuming the phone in the picture is an android as many reviews mentioned the monitor connecting to Android phones with no issue.
Just make sure to double check your phone port if you plan to primarily connect this monitor to a phone.
Cords and Input and Output Ports
The Newsoul portable monitor comes with 4 different cords that can be used to connect to most devices:
- 1 – mini HDMI to HDMI cable
- 1 – Type-C to Type-C cable
- 1 – Type-C to USB A cable
- 1 – Power adapter
The sides of the monitor have 4 ports, including a Mini HDMI port, 2 Type-C ports, one micro USB port, and one audio port. One Type-C port is used to connect the monitor to the power adapter and wall charger. The other is used to connect the monitor to a Type-C device, like a laptop.
Newsoul Portable Monitor Power Cord
I have two things to say about the power cord for the Newsoul monitor.
- The power cable needs to be longer
- The monitor draws a little too much power for my Microsoft Surface power block
When I first started using the monitor, I connected it to my surface using the Typc-C to Type-C port and to my power block using the Type-C to USB cord.
The battery life of the monitor lasted a couple of days before it started drawing power through the power block. This resulted in a “USB Device might need more power” message from my Surface. I have since run the monitor connected to its own outlet, as it seemingly draws too much power from the block when it needs to charge and act as a secondary display.
On that note, the power cord for the wall adapter could stand to be longer. I regularly have to reorient which screen I run as my left or right screen when working from various remote locations based on how close the outlet is to my computer.
How to Set Up the Newsoul Portable Monitor Case
If you’re anything like me, you won’t be able to understand the instructions on how to set up the magnetic case / stand for your portable monitor.
So, here are 4 pictures to explain.
- Lay the case flat and place the monitor at the top of the case. Next to the section that has one groove instead of two.
- Slide the monitor onto the case until the bottom is lined up with the deepest groove. The top of the monitor should be flush with the top of the case. You should also feel the magnetic section secure to the back of the monitor.
- Next, pick up the bottom of the monitor and move it until it sits into the second groove from the bottom of the case.
- Fold the final flap over to secure the case sitting upright.
The case will make a little A frame style stand to hold the monitor upright. (See below).
To close up the monitor, just simply revert to step two and fold the case to cover the entire front of the monitor. It’s ready to be packed away in your backpack at that point.
My Experience Using the Newsoul Portable Monitor
I have used the Newsoul portable monitor every day for over two months now. My experience has been very good so far.
Since having a second monitor is a necessity for me to comfortably do my job long term, this monitor was a much needed investment when I hit the road to travel while working remotely.
It is easy to set up and small enough to fit into my backpack for digital-nomad style work trips. I will say that the aesthetic of the monitor along with the plethora of cords to make the total setup work, is rather hectic and doesn’t give that ideal minimal vibe associated with most portable offices.
It is functional, though.
And to be fair, I’m not sure what external monitor out there is aesthetic.
Newsoul Portable Monitor Glitch
I have experienced one glitch since using this product everyday for work and almost every night for blog writing. The monitor failed to come on at a coffee shop I set up at one Friday afternoon.
I’m not sure if the power port at the table I was using was dead (not likely since I had my laptop plugged into one of the ports) or if the monitor battery had died on the trip to the shop and didn’t have the connectivity it needed to reboot.
I tried to hard-restart the monitor to no avail, so I had to work with one screen that evening.
Once I made it back to the hotel, the monitor’s green power light popped on immediately when I plugged it into a power outlet there.
I had also tried to plug the monitor into the power block to charge (which already doesn’t work well, so it wasn’t shocking that this didn’t work).
I’d say this was maybe due to the power port at the table I was using not being functional, but I’m honestly not sure, since I didn’t think to test it on the other outlet at the moment.
