Hands on: Two months with the ASUS ZenScreen MB229CF monitor

Chris Wells spent two months working with the ASUS ZenScreen MB229CF Portable Monitor and found it an excellent, portable second screen for everything from video editing to gaming.

The word ‘productivity’ has been overused to the point where it doesn’t feel like a real word anymore, but as someone who makes lots of content, I can attest to the amount of time/effort having a second screen can save. With ASUS making this monitor portable and filling it with full sRGB support, it's not just about having more screen real estate - this is a handy mobile tool for precise, creative tasks that demand accuracy.

The ASUS ZenScreen MB229CF is a portable 22-inch display designed for productivity on the go. It is priced at around $299 and features a 100Hz full HD IPS screen with built-in 2.1 channel speakers and a slim, lightweight design that makes it easy to carry. 

In terms of IO, you have a DC in, an HDMI, and a 60w USB-C connection that can also carry a video signal at a minor penalty of lower brightness. Despite this, the monitor remains bright enough, and the anti-glare layer helps. I’d only ever read about this feature before, but seeing it in action made a noticeable difference, especially in well-lit environments.

Portability

The marketing materials portray those who live in a hotdesk heaven/hell needing to switch between workspaces frequently, and I can see it working perfectly for that. It’s lightweight at 4.9 lb (2.22 kg) and fits nicely under the arm. While the kickstand can double as a handle, I personally find that impractical due to its size similar to the screen’s diameter. The only point knocked off for portability is that it’s pretty tricky to find a good travel case anywhere, but I guess that’s the trade-off for an easy-carry monitor of this size.

I love this kickstand

That kickstand, though, is fantastic. Made of metal, it feels just as robust as the rest of the monitor. Its sturdy hinge holds its position securely at any angle, stopping at the most stable angle at the bottom. When not in use, it folds flush against the back of the monitor, keeping the design sleek and practical.

If freestanding isn’t your thing, then you’re in luck - out of the box, it comes with two mounting methods: a hook for those in a partition-based office, making it sit nice and flush on a divider, and a brilliant adjustable C-clamp stand that moves in all the ways you’d want it to. I love how easy it is to remove the monitor with a simple click of two buttons on the back to take it wherever you need.

I appreciate the MyASUS app

The onscreen menu is super simple to navigate and you can adjust brightness, contrast, as well as color temperature. It also offers a wide range of display modes, including gaming, theatre, reading modes to name a few as well as its 100% sRGB mode. You can also adjust all of these settings on your laptop/workstation with the MyASUS app to avoid any awkward side panel button pressing.

Sharp shooter

Despite its 1080p resolution, the screen looks really sharp. The 100Hz refresh rate makes working on everyday software feel noticeably faster and smoother. It has 100% sRGB coverage that ensures accurate color representation of that color space, which is critical for content creation. 

I keep having to remind myself that all that spec is packed into something I can just pick up and use somewhere else without the usual faff moving monitors brings. As someone who works primarily from home, I’ve been really pleased with how easy it is to scoop up the monitor along with my laptop and just work as a two-screened king anywhere. It has been a game-changer for me.

RIP my TV

I also got to be a bit cheeky and 'tested' it when I wanted to play my PlayStation without taking over the whole living room. I simply undocked the monitor, plonked it on a table in another room, plugged in a spare HDMI and the 60w USB-C usually used for my laptop, and I was happily gaming away. It is with both great pleasure and sadness that I can say that this screen actually looks better than my main TV to the naked eye. 

The built-in speakers are passible in a pinch, though relatively quiet. Still, they’re adequate if you ever need them (I never have).

ASUS ZenScreen MB229CF: Conclusion

Overall, the ASUS ZenScreen MB229CF is an excellent option for professionals and creatives looking for a monitor that is not just portable but color accurate. Its lightweight build, versatile stand, and 100Hz refresh rate make it a solid choice for on-the-go productivity. If you need a second screen that’s easy to carry but still offers great visual performance, it is definitely worth considering. Just let me know if you find a good carry case.

tl;dr

• The ASUS ZenScreen MB229CF is a portable 22-inch monitor designed for productivity on the go, priced at around $299.
• It features a 100Hz full HD IPS screen with built-in 2.1 channel speakers, a slim and lightweight design, and full sRGB support, making it ideal for creative tasks.
• The monitor has a sturdy kickstand, multiple mounting options, and a MyASUS app for easy adjustment of settings.
• With its portability, color accuracy, and 100Hz refresh rate, it's a great choice for professionals and creatives in need of a second screen for on-the-go productivity.