Acer PD163Q Dual Portable Monitor Review: I Really Wanted to Love This

The Acer PD163Q Dual Portable Monitor: A Connectivity Nightmare

I had high hopes for the Acer PD163Q. The concept of dual portable displays, conveniently connecting via a single cable, was incredibly appealing. Unfortunately, this alluring idea quickly dissolved into frustration due to persistent connectivity problems.

This monitor's biggest drawback is its unreliable connectivity. Getting both screens to function simultaneously proved exceptionally difficult, rarely succeeding consistently. While using a single display, or during those infrequent moments of intended functionality, the 15.6-inch 1080p screens offered a welcome expansion of workspace for mobile productivity. Build quality was also surprisingly robust, yet ultimately overshadowed by the significant connectivity flaws.

Pros & Cons:

• Pros: Solid build quality; Decent screen quality.
• Cons: Major connectivity issues; Rarely achieved dual-screen operation.

Price and Availability:

The Acer PD163Q is available for $250 on Amazon.

Specifications:

• Brand: Acer
• Screen Size: 15.6 inches
• Display Technology: IPS
• Resolution: 1920x1080
• Aspect Ratio: 16:9
• Refresh Rate: 60Hz

Connectivity Challenges:

The advertised single-cable dual-display functionality proved largely unattainable. I managed to achieve this setup only once on my Windows desktop, and only after significant driver installation and security permission adjustments on my M1 Max MacBook Pro. Even then, a lengthy connection delay (at least a minute) was consistently observed. The MacBook's internal display exhibited unusual behavior during this process. Specific high-bandwidth USB 3.1 5Gbps cables were essential for any level of success. Windows users will likely encounter similar, if not worse, reliability issues.

Real-World Limitations:

A real-world test at a coffee shop highlighted the monitor's limitations. Despite attempts to utilize both screens with my 14-inch MacBook Pro, only one display remained functional. Ultimately, I resorted to using a single screen, which worked adequately, but fell short of the intended dual-monitor experience.

Design and Build:

The Acer PD163Q's design is commendable. While slightly thick, this is understandable given the dual-screen configuration. The integrated kickstand provides stable support, even with both screens extended. Image quality was satisfactory for secondary display tasks like YouTube or email, although the 1080p resolution is relatively low.

Final Verdict:

The Acer PD163Q's persistent connectivity problems severely hamper its potential. While usable as a single display, its advertised dual-screen functionality is unreliable. Alternatives like the Plugable USBC-PDMON offer superior reliability and value. For a dual-monitor portable setup, purchasing two separate monitors would prove a more practical and dependable solution. I cannot recommend the Acer PD163Q.

4/10 $250 ($279 MSRP)

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