AOC 16T2 15.6″ Portable Touch Screen Monitor Review

I've tested many monitors over the years, from modest 1080p budget models, up to super-sized ultra-wide monitors that cost thousands. Actually, quite a few of those monitors were from AOC too, actually. However, I don't think I've ever reviewed a portable monitor! The AOC 16T2 looks set to offer you a truly dynamic way to expand your workspace. A couple of years ago, this was a product I wanted to take on tour with me for events. These days, it offers some interesting opportunities for the work-at-home generation and our current home-schooling needs. AOC 16T2 15.6" Portable Touch Screen Monitor While at the very basics of it, the 16T2 is a 1080p 15.6" monitor, which is good enough for a bit of light media consumption or expanding your workspace. However, every feature after that makes this monitor even more exciting. It's a 10point touch screen, so when you hook up a Windows Touch, Android device or similar, you'll be able to use all your touch input games and software; as well as an on-screen keyboard. It's an IPC panel, so the colours should be great too. Beyond that, you get both USB-C and Micro-HDMI, so you'll be able to connect just about anything. Furthermore, it has an 8000mAh battery, which can power the display for up to 4 hours over HDMI, but you can still charge your phone from the USB-C port too; that'll drain the battery quicker though, obviously. There's even a pair of stereo speakers built-in, a built-in case/stand, VESA mounting and more; tell me you don't already want one, I dare you! Features USB Charger (AC adapter), USB-C to USB-C/A cable, VESA mounting bracket, SmartCover included10-point touch screen (capacitive) function for ease-of-use with your compatible devices (must connect via USB-C)USB-C (dual ports, one on each side for ease of cable management) connection allowing for single cable delivering video, power, audio, and touch signals all via one single cable (DP Alt Mode support must be required on the host device)Micro-HDMI port input for connecting as an external monitor for a wide range of digital devices such as gaming consoles, digital cameras, laptops, and more (HDMI cable NOT included)Built-in 8000mAh battery for up to 4 hours of self-powered display when connected to HDMI devices. The built-in battery can also act as a battery bank for your phone when connected via the USB-C portStereo speakers built-in for a wider and more immersive soundstage when connected via HDMI or USB-C with supported devicesExtremely lightweight and compact, weighing in at only 2.2 lbs and measuring in at less than 0.4 inches thinIncluded SmartCover which can be used as a stand in both landscape and portrait modes and covers to protect the screen when not in useIncludes VESA mounting bracket that allows for easy and thin-profiled VESA mountingAOC USB-C portable monitor with 15.6" screen and Full HD 1080P (1920x1080) resolution that can act as a second screen for your portable devices Packaging & Accessories The box for the 16T2 is nice and compact, and that's no surprise given the monitor is just a touch over 15 inches. It's meant to be portable, and the box is not much bigger than the display. It's packaged just like any other monitor, with two layers of foam and all the accessories tucked down one side. In the box, you'll find a USB-C to USB A cable, but it also comes with a Type-A to Type-C adapter on the end, making it ready to rock with most devices. There's also an HDMI to Micro-HDMI cable, a VESA mounting bracket, and the mains power adapters for charging the display. You also get this folding protective cover/stand, as well as the 16T2 itself. The monitor has a thick plastic cover on the rear to prevent the brushed metal finish from taking damage. A Closer Look The AOC 16T2 is so cute! Its compact design looks awesome, and it looks and feels pretty much like a large format tablet device. However, because there's no computer in this one, it's surprisingly light for its size, but it still has a weight of quality about it. It's not cumbersome at just 9mm deep and should even slip in a laptop bag alongside your laptop easily enough. There's a small sticker on the back, which highlights a few of the monitor's features. The bezel is super clean, clocking in at 9mm and there's not much trim around the display, ensuring that 15.6" panel is the star of the show. Down the side, you'll find two ports, as well as two notches near the middle; the notches are for the protective case mounting. There's a USB-C port and a micro-HDMI port here, all pretty straightforward stuff really. Down the left side, you'll find another USB-C port, as well as a 3.5mm headphone jack. There are some fairly simple OSD controls here, as well as a master power button. There's also a small LED to show the overall battery charge level. The back of the 16T2 looks absolutely gorgeous, with a textured brushed metal finish that gives it a premium look and feel. It also gives you something to grip to while holding the display. The VESA mount is tiny, but you'll find the metal plate included in the box brings it up to a more standard VESA size. That means you can put it on more traditional monitor arms/stands easily enough. However, for a quick setup, the included cover has a folding design and magnetic strips. Just pop it on the back of the monitor, and you're ready to rock. Plus, you can move it to adjust the overall angle of the display. The panel does a good job of diffusing direct light sources, so you shouldn't suffer from glare issues. Plus, being able to adjust the angle can be a real game changer when it comes to using this as a touch device rather than just a second display. Performance If you're using a GPU with a USB-C port on the back, you're in luck. Just plug the Type-C cable from the GPU to the 16T2 and BAM! You're ready to rock. The monitor draws power from the GPU, and it'll even recharge the battery. However, if you need to use the HDMI cable, you'll need the desktop software and a normal USB port to patch in the touch control. Both HDMI and USB modes can also deliver audio to the monitors stereo speakers. The 10-point touch is fantastic, as you can use Paint and any other touch-friendly application to get hands-on and do some drawing. I called on an expert to assist with this one. The responsive screen is very accurate without being overly sensitive; perfect then! Colours are a bit off by default, but I turned up the brightness, increased the contrast, and put it in multimedia mode and found things were vastly improved. The screen is surprisingly bright and vibrant and even supports HDR, but that can be a pain if your other screens aren't HDR, because Windows handles the format quite poorly. The OSD is a little tricky to use. You press the menu button once to open it, then again to tab through the options. You then stop on the one you want and wait 2 seconds, then use the same button to increase the setting. There's no decrease, so you simply max it out and it'll loop back to zero and you can dial up the setting from there again. You can adjust contrast and brightness easily enough, and there's even an overdrive setting. I strongly suggest putting low blue mode on to the multimedia mode, but of course, that can be subjective. The stereo speakers are actually great, and there's not a lot of bass, but more than I expected. Watching some Teen Titans Go sounded excellent, albeit, turning the volume to maximum was tricky as it kept going back to zero, so it took a few attempts. The colours look really great, and the motion is smooth too, running at a happy 60 Hz. There are no ghosting issues that I can see, and it even plays games quite well... not that there's much point, as I have my main displays right next to it, but it's good to know. The panel holds up well though, and there's no major loss of colour or contrast even at more extremely horizontal and vertical angles. I didn't want to show a Zoom call with my friends and family, so here's the Lord of the Rings one, but a nice example of what you can do with that extra display at your side! If there's one major change though, I'd suggest getting a longer USB-C cable, as the one included would only just reach my GPU if the monitor was here. This may not be an issue with mobile devices or laptops though. Beyond that, it's a practical little thing with a few extra possibilities. You could even use the on screen keyboard, if you really wanted to You can even use pinch zoom on compatible software and windows. When you're done, take the stand off of the back and it snaps over the front of the monitor, ensuring the panel doesn't get scratched. How Much Does it Cost? The AOC 16T2 15.6" Portable Touch Screen Monitor is available from a few retailers for around £249.99 to £304.99, however, I'd suggest getting it directly from AOC on their Amazon store for £269.99. Stock is short on Amazon though but should be steadily resupplied. Overview The AOC 16T2 15.6" Portable Touch Screen Monitor isn't a cheap gadget, but I do think it's excellent value for money. For one, it's coming from a well respected and trusted brand name. Furthermore, they've done a great job with the general design and build quality, and it feels like you're getting what you pay for when you open the box. It does feel fragile to handle, in the sense that it feels like a slim monitor and you instinctively don't want to damage the panel. However, it's well made and durable, and so long as you remember it IS a monitor and not a tablet, you'll do just fine. There's a good weight to it though; it's not so light that it moves around when you use the touch screen, but not to heavy you couldn't travel with it. The included stand is simple enough and gets the job done. However, I love that I can mount this with VESA, so throwing it on a proper mount can be fun. It's nice having a touch panel next to my main display. Albeit, for fun in Paint for me, but I'm sure there are more practical applications too. The colours on the display could be better out of the box, but the OSD allows you to dial in something more suitable quickly. I threw mine in Multimedia mode, increased the brightness and contrast slightly, and was more than happy with the results. Plus, I have to comment on the viewing angles, they're excellent! Should I Buy One? I'll admit not everyone needs one, but I have to admit, it's a very nice thing to have. The price is higher than just a simple second display. However, this has an 8000mAh battery to power it, and you can even charge your phone from it. It's slim and light too and works with multiple devices making it extremely travel friendly. The touch input adds a new dynamic or at least allows connected mobile devices to work in the way you're used to. From expanding your workspace at home to helping with entertainment when you're travelling, to making a presentation when you're in the office, it's got a little of something for everyone.