Traveling with a laptop, for me, means using a 14-inch screen to work on. Since I normally work with two 27-inch screens, this limitation slows me down. But I’ve discovered that a portable monitor can get me back to two-screen productivity, even if the screens are smaller. So, the opportunity to review the Dell Pro 14 Plus (P1425) portable monitor gave me just the excuse I needed to get outside with the laptop.

Key Features and Findings

I’ve used a few portable monitors over the last few years. One thing I found is that some monitors are heavy, which doesn’t work when traveling with a backpack that’s already crammed full. And some portable monitors just don’t have a great picture. I reviewed the Dell Pro 14 Plus portable monitor with these things in mind.

1. Setup. First things first, let’s talk about the setup for this portable monitor. It really couldn’t be easier. You plug one card into the USB-C port on the side of the base, plug the other end into your computer, and you’re working. It’s really that simple. There’s no software to download, no power cord to connect, and no drivers to be installed. This monitor is the definition of plug-and-play.
2. Design. Some portable monitors can be pretty heavy. The Dell Pro 14 Plus is not one of those. I was surprised by how slim and light this monitor is. The hinge-type stand folds out from the back of the monitor, and even with that stand, the monitor only weighs 1.25 lbs. Although there’s no speaker built into the monitor, I didn’t miss it, and I think that helps to keep the weight down. Shoving it in my already stuffed backpack to carry on the road added so little weight that it wasn’t even noticeable, and the carrying case that comes with it reassures me that it won’t get scratched by whatever’s floating around in my bag.
3. Flexibility. Sadly, this portable monitor doesn’t have a touchscreen, and oddly enough, the first thing I tried to do was touch it to move things around. Despite this missing feature, the Dell Pro 14 Plus has plenty of flexibility. You can use it in landscape or portrait orientation, and you don’t have to do anything special to change that orientation. Just turn the monitor, and the display adjusts automatically. There’s something to be said for things that just work.
4. The Display. Of course, a monitor isn’t useful if it doesn’t have a great display, and I’ve tried some, but the display was terrible. This Dell portable monitor has a beautiful picture, and it’s easy to adjust the brightness or quickly lock the screen with just the press of a button. The colors render the closest to my MacBook Air I’ve ever seen, and since it has the same size screen, it creates a stunning display to work from while I’m on the go.
5. Extras: It’s nice when you get some unexpected extras in a product, and I did with Dell’s portable monitor. Most notably, the second USB-C port is a benefit I didn’t know I needed. It has pass-through charging, which was useful when I needed to connect to the monitor and still charge my phone. Of course, the monitor draws power from the laptop, so keep that in mind. Another really cool thing about this monitor is that it works with my iPad Pro. I was pleasantly surprised that I could set the iPad and the Dell Pro 14 Plus up side by side and work with a keyboard in my lap. Talk about a cozy setup!

Important Specs to Know