A VAR Guy Preview: The GeChic OnLap 1301 USB Monitor

How many times have you said to yourself, “Self, I’d sure love another screen on this laptop,”? Well, your wish has been answered, thanks to GeChic. The company has developed a 13-inch portable USB-powered screen, designed for whatever dual-screen endeavors you’d like to undertake on the go. I’ve received one for review, so here’s the preliminary scoop on my extra 13 inches of viewing space …

Out of the box, the GeChic OnLap 1301 is an unwieldy thing. It’s essentially an LCD laptop monitor stuffed inside a frame with four suction cups to attach the frame’s bezel to the back of your monitor. Swivel the screen around to the front and — presto! — dual-screen laptop. Problem is, you need a USB connection and a VGA or HDMI-out connection. You also need a laptop with a big enough screen, and at 11 inches my MacBook Air is just a little too small. But that’s okay, because the OnLap 1301 also comes with two rubberized stands to prop up the screen if that’s more your style.

USB-powered screens aren’t anything new; in fact, they’ve been around for a couple of years. But they have been small, ranging from 7 inches to 10 inches, and often low resolution, since the displays are driven via the USB port. But the OnLap 1301 mitigates that with the HDMI/VGA cable.

Having more desktop real estate is nice, but the bigger question is whether bigger is actually better.

Since my MacBook Air has a mini-display port, I have to use an adapter with the monitor, and the nest of wires makes the OnLap hardly portable. In its carrying case, however, it is compact. It could be the perfect productivity tool when working in hotel rooms or setting up camp at a local Starbucks.

I’ll be giving a deeper dive into features and functionality such as display color and viewing in angles, in addition to battery consumption when my MacBook Air isn’t plugged in. I’ll also rate the usability and productivity boost, if there is any. Right now, the OnLap 1301 goes for $199 and is available in the United States via NewEgg, where currently it is sold out. Something specific you’d like me to try? Drop me a comment and I’ll test it out.