We’ve all been there, haven’t we, buying something we don’t necessarily need, but couldn’t quite resist because the price was right.
That’s pretty much how I feel about the MSI Pro MP161 E2 portable monitor. This full-HD 15.6in display carries an IPS panel with 1080p resolution, and a choice of USB-C of Mini-HDMI inputs. The use cases are endless, and though I don’t technically need one, I’m very much tempted at the current offer price of £59 / $89.
MSI Pro MP161 E2
“Bring it anywhere you want without any strain or pressure with a protective case.”
That’s the lowest price to date, and terrific value for a versatile 15.6in monitor. There’s obvious potential as a secondary screen for, say, a laptop, and there’s travel credentials, too. MSI’s display weighs less than a kilogram, measures 1.08cm thick, and comes complete with a travel sleeve, built-in kick stand, and a 1/4-inch tripod mount.
There are even built-in speakers, and while unlikely to sound spectacular, they’re handy to have for mobile gaming sessions. There’s also a newer model in the form of the Pro MP165 E6 that’s worth knowing about. It’s reduced to a best-ever price of £69 and that additional £10 outlay nets you noticeably slimmer bezels, if that’s your thing.
Screens of this ilk have flooded the marketplace in recent years, but if you’re wary of quality control from unknown brands, the MSI comes complete with a three-year warranty from a reputable manufacturer.
But even a big name like MSI isn’t immune from marketing hyperbole. According to the official product page, the Pro MP161 E2 portable monitor “enhances communication when you have a presentation with an important customer,” and my favourite use case for users in the market for a £59 portable screen is that it lets you “make critical decisions in a private jet.”
I absolutely won’t be making use of such a screen on a private jet, but for the ankle biter to watch Bluey in the back seat of my Hyundai, it’s a low-cost solution to a real-world problem. I’m tempted, most tempted.
