Dual screen on the road, the 14 inch portable I keep
i went through the exact same thing last year. i tried to do the whole ultra minimalist single tablet thing because people on here swear by it, but it just does not work for actual dev work or complex spreadsheets. got a 14 inch asus zenscreen and it fits in my same backpack. total game changer for working from coffee shops in poblenou.
the sub advice is definitely a bit outdated sometimes. everyone says you do not need much but if you are actually working 40 hours a week and not just on vacation, your neck is going to kill you without a proper setup. i also had to learn that the hard way. glad you finally got it sorted out.
I don't get the hype for portable monitors. I just use a tiling window manager on Linux and it feels way faster than moving my head back and forth. Plus, taking up two spots at a busy cafe in Barcelona is kind of a dick move. Some places are already starting to ban laptops because people stay too long.
189 euros is a steal. I paid way more for a similar setup in the US before moving here. Do you find that it drains your MacBook battery fast? I'm always paranoid about my Air dying when I'm at a spot that doesn't have many outlets, which is common in the older buildings here.
Nice to see another dev in Gracia. I'm over near Metro Fontana and usually just stick to my 16 inch Pro because I hate the cable clutter. Quick question though, how is the glare on that one? Some of those co-working spaces near Plaça de Catalunya have massive windows and I can never see my screen if there's a glossy finish.
I use a screen hood for mine when I'm working outside at a cafe. Might look like a nerd but at least I can see my lines of code.
Most of these portable screens are matte. It's actually a lifesaver in Barcelona because the sun is so aggressive even in February. I'd never go back to a single glossy screen.
which brand did you end up keeping? people always say the magnetic ones are the best but i find they just weigh down the laptop lid too much and make the hinges feel loose after a month. i am looking for a standalone one that has its own kickstand for my 2026 setup.
honestly the generic ones on amazon work just as well as the brand name ones now. just make sure it is usb c power delivery or you will be carrying around way too many cables.
I actually almost bought that same UPERFECT model last year but I went with an Asus ZenScreen instead. The price was higher, around 250, but the stand is way better. Does yours flicker at all when you drop the brightness? I've heard some of the cheaper panels have issues with that when you're working in a dimly lit cafe like some of the spots in Gracia.
I have the same one as OP and haven't noticed flickering yet. My main issue is the color accuracy is way off compared to my MacBook. Fine for coding, but terrible if you're doing anything with design.
I've been looking for something exactly like this for my trips down to Malaga. Is the screen bright enough to use on the Renfe trains? Sometimes that glare from the window is brutal and those tiny fold-down tables aren't exactly stable. One bump and I feel like everything is going to slide off.
The Renfe tables are the worst. You're better off getting a magnetic cover that acts as a wide base. Don't rely on the built-in stand if you're on the high speed tracks.
the problem with most portable screens is the brightness. the barca sun is no joke and if you are sitting near a window it is basically a mirror. hope the one you kept has a matte finish because the glossy ones are literally unusable here during the summer.
Congrats on getting the visa approved back in August. I'm still waiting on my renewal. About the screen, does it fit in a standard laptop sleeve with the MacBook Air or do you have to carry a separate case? I'm trying to keep my footprint as small as possible for when I fly to the islands.
it is good to see some realistic takes on mobile setups finally. barca has some great coworking spots but the desks are often pretty small. does the 14 inch fit comfortably on those tiny cafe tables or are you mostly working from a proper office space? i find the larger screens are a nightmare in crowded spots.
i usually stick to places like sandwihez where the tables are a bit bigger. the 14 inch is the sweet spot because anything bigger and you are basically hitting the person sitting next to you.
That 600 grams adds up though. I tried the dual screen life when I first got my DNV and moved to Poblenou but I ended up ditching it for an iPad with Sidecar. It’s one less dedicated thing to charge and carry. I guess if you're doing heavy dev work it makes sense, but for most people it feels like overkill for a coffee shop setup.
im curious about your battery life with that extra screen. i noticed my macbook dies in about half the time when i have the second monitor plugged in. do you carry a massive power bank now too or do you just stay chained to a wall plug? it feels like a trade off between mobility and screen real estate.