32 reviews for 1080P IPS Laptop Screen Extender with Built-in Stand and Speakers

1. 

   Rated 4 out of 5

   MoonbeamMoonbeam – March 17, 2024

   4.0 out of 5 stars

   Great addition to laptop, makes it easier to work

   I’m used to working with three monitors on my desktop, so when I’m in a situation where I have to use my laptop, I find it very limiting compared to how I normally work. This Maxfree S1 Portable Monitor changes all that. It’s so nice to have an additional monitor for working on the laptop!It is quite lightweight and comes with a very well made case that holds the monitor and the cords provided. Setting it up is easy and it works right out of the box – if you know which setup option you can use. One problem I had at first is that I hadn’t plugged the HDMI cable into the right spot C-type port on the back of the Maxfree S1. There are three C-type ports on the back of it and one is very specific for the HDMI cable. We didn’t see the printing on the device, itself. It was in small print in one of the manuals. It’d be better if the embossed labelling on the monitor were also painted. It is very hard to even see there is writing there because it’s embossed on a textured surface. You can see even in the listing’s closeup of that area that it is difficult to read the actual embossing.I also found it difficult to put the cables into the back of it and to pull them out. I believe they do know this can be tricky and added in the manual to not pull it out by the wire, but to be sure to grab the plug to pull it out.The other problem I had is that we are using a laptop from 2016 so there is no C-type port on it. So we used the HDMI/C cable for display but for power we had to use the C/USB cable. Unfortunately that USB port does not have enough power to power the monitor so it did not work. I also couldn’t get it to work with a battery pack, but it did work with the USB plugged into the wall for power. But once you know what your requirements are for the device you’re attaching it to, you’ll be fine. It’s fast and easy to set up and works great.In spite of the trouble I had *at first*, I think this is great and will be very useful. It’s all pretty compact for what it is. The controls make it easy to set up as you like, and to control the volume. I think the speakers on the Maxfree S1 sound better than the tinny ones of our laptop. If your laptop is newer, you shouldn’t have the trouble I had, but even for older ones, they’ve provided options with the cables they’ve given. It does need enough power and that is normal for a monitor.We’ve tried it on Windows and also on Linux. Both worked fine. Windows was “mirrored” by default, had to change it to “Extended”, but Linux (Arch) was “Extended” by default and didn’t need to do anything extra.The colour was good, the sound is good, no flickering. I’m happy. The box it came in was top-notch. It really shouts quality all around. I’m happy.I really like this monitor and highly recommend it. .

2. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   The ConureThe Conure – March 17, 2024

   5.0 out of 5 stars

   Sometimes first impressions are everything, and MAXFree has it in spades

   Key Points:- Beautiful carrying case- Right angle USB-C to USB-C- USB-C to FULL-SIZE HDMI- USB-A to USB-C- Supports 3 inputs via USB-C- The hinge is 1010. Well done and solid- OSD wheel on the top left- HDR Support?- 300 nits brightness- Colors feel washed out and muted- LOGO on the monitor is far too large. Would like to see it less prominent.I am someone who appreciates the fine attention to detail manufacturers put into products and how they present them as you unbox them. Opening this up, you definitely see where the money went from the retail box, presentation, the carrying case, including 3 methods of connecting devices to the monitor.Once I moved passed my excitement for the unboxing experience, I was pleasantly surprised that I could set up and use it on my MacBook and run a game console on the right side or use it as intended, a second monitor. You are stuck with it on the right side and I see no way to set it up to the side without mounting it to your screen. So, that’s a bummer.When viewing it side by side with my XDR display, of course, I see an enormous difference, but if you watch the video, or as you see in a picture with the steam deck, it looks very good. The HDR option in the OSD settings and MacBook seeing it as an HDR display is interesting. I see nothing mentioning it being HDR. It being only 300 nits renders HDR pointless though and I wouldn’t buy this expecting anything from that.I don’t have the hardware to test for color accuracy and I wish MAXFREE included a printout of what their display can do, but I’d say the colors feel a bit washed out and muted.I daily a portable monitor with a folding Smart Cover that I can have set up in 5 seconds. This one is a little more cumbersome to set up, but it’s all subjective and if you prefer a floating monitor, I can’t help but recommend this. I had to delay writing the review because the unboxing had me pretty hyped because I love those details and I wanted to be as objective as possible.I’ve jiggled my screen and moved it around and it stays mounted without much issue. IF I was to complain about something, I can’t fault the product because that’s the nature of a mounted secondary display like this; it’s the kickstand. YES, it’s cleverly done and even the attention to detail how they designed that is quite unique, but I hate the idea of the kickstand. I’m very limited to where I can setup in front of me and have to move my desktop keyboard out of the way because it takes up additional space behind the monitor.I’m impressed. There are things I’d like to see. A better screen at this price point. I see no reason we cannot have a more color-accurate screen for a monitor over $200+I like it and if you prefer a floating secondary monitor, this is the whole package.

3. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Jenna RJenna R – March 17, 2024

   5.0 out of 5 stars

   Laptop second monitor

   I love this monitor! I’ve been using it for about 2 months now and I don’t know how I made it so long without a second monitor before. It’s plug and play easy to install and use, and folds down into a nice compact bundle.My only complaint is that the built in kickstand support isn’t enough. It’s only on the part that clamps onto the laptop lid so that the newly heavy pair can lean back on it, but this becomes useless if using your laptop on any sort of raised stand or cooling pad. It also does nothing to support the weight hanging off the side of the screen, tipping the laptop at certain angles, and probably putting too much force on just one hinge. (This wouldn’t be a concern for the 3 panel, 2 screen models that hang evenly off both sides.) my solution has been to find other ways to support the screen, or other ways to prop up the screen where I want it without clamping into the laptop at all.

4. 

   Rated 4 out of 5

   Mark TwainMark Twain – March 17, 2024

   4.0 out of 5 stars

   Improves productivity for laptop users seeking portability

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   While a laptop is obviously intended to be portable, I’ve gotten so accustomed to the enhanced productivity and efficiency of using multiple displays that I rarely disconnect my work laptop from a USB hub connected to two monitors. For all intents and purposes, my laptop has essentially become a stationary PC. In that respect, this laptop extender is truly a game-changer in that it gives me the freedom to work anywhere, indoors or outdoors.I tested the extender with a Dell latitude 5320 (13.3 inch display). Mounting the extender was fairly straightforward, requiring expanding the left panel bracket to “unlock” the display, opening the display like the cover of a book, lifting the top flap, and fitting the entire contraption to the back of the laptop screen. There’s also a kickstand at the back for added support.Once attached with the USB C cable, I was able to both clone and extend the display. The full function USB C port on my laptop provided sufficient power to the extender, meaning that I didn’t need to plug the extender into a separate power source. I was surprised by how little power the monitor required as my laptop’s battery dropped by only 23% after 33 minutes of use.The resolution and picture quality are great, and I appreciate the adjustable settings that let me manually control elements like brightness & contrast, or choose one of the fixed settings. The single button control, which can be pressed or tilted from from side-to-side, does require a bit of practice if you need to make screen adjustments.Finally, I appreciate inclusion of the carrying bag and the various cables for dealing with various scenarios.In terms of cons, I consider the list of items to be fairly minor.1. The built-in speakers are adequate, though not great. My laptop’s speakers produce better sound (e.g. more bass), so I’m likely to stick with them.2. I find the cables challenging to remove from the back of the extender since the back panel is very smooth and the cable ends lie flush against it, leaving very little surface area for my fingers to grip.3. While the extender is certainly portable, it’s actually slightly longer than my laptop and about the same thickness. Therefore, I probably wouldn’t bring it along for air travel, but would take it along just about anywhere else.One thing to note is that the extender only allows mounting on the right side of the laptop.

5. 

   Rated 4 out of 5

   Blackrain – March 17, 2024

   4.0 out of 5 stars

   Excellent build quality, very functional performance.

   My first impressions are pretty positive about this hardware. I have been using it on a windows based laptop for about 3 weeks now and it has stood up, very well to nearly daily use.The packaging and full compliment of all required connection cables (there are 3 different connection options) as well as “above average” build quality, as compared to many such devices that I have used of late, makes for an encouraging start. The screen hinge itself, is very well made (robust) and certainly instills confidence in handling and hopes for longevity. The OSD control wheel on the top left of the screen frame is a thoughtful and useful design element.In terms of image quality, there is a notable difference between my native laptop screen and the MAXFREE but, when brightness is bumped up a bit, I can easily live with it, accepting it for what it is. Colors are not entirely vibrant, in fact they seem a little muted but I would not anticipate using this for gaming, photo editing or color art, the main display can handle those. I see this secondary screen being an asset when dealing with data entry, databases, forms, document editing, audio edits etc… Tasks that are less image based. This is a business person’s laptop, who need more “desktop”.The method of attaching this screen to one’s laptop screen, is interesting. It is via a spring loaded frame system that simply grasps your existing monitor. It works easy enough, though it takes a little longer to put in place than some contemporaries that I have used, it certainly is secure and even has an integrated “kickstand” to help support the weight BUT it is a right-side mount ONLY. That is not an issue for me, I can’t be certain that some people might not like the left hand side to be an option as well, depending on work environment.This screen comes with it’s own case for carry and protection, which is really nice, so portability is well covered BUT it is a surprisingly heavy piece of hardware by today’s standards.As much as I am rather impressed with this product, I must admit that I believe the image quality should be better for a product that it currently north of $450. A business may not think too long about spending that kind of money for the additional productivity but I think it might give a budding entrepreneur, some pause.Included in box:- Quality carrying case- USB-C to USB-C (right angle)- USB-A to USB-C- USB-C to HDMI