INTHEBLACK November 2025 - Magazine - Page 56
WORK SMART
TECH STACK
Laptop screen
extenders
With the help of these laptop screen extenders, working on a PC laptop
does not have to mean forgoing the productivity benefits of a
multi-screen workspace.
Words Adam Turner
DUAL-MONITOR SETUPS ARE A COMMON
sight on many office desks, allowing users
to see more at-a-glance and spend less time
switching between applications.
Single or double laptop screen extenders can
offer a similar productivity boost when working
on a laptop — and they’re compact enough
to fit in a bag for hybrid work arrangements
or business travel.
Laptop screen extenders are like standalone
portable monitors, which are typically
more affordable, but there is a grey
area between the two categories.
A standalone portable monitor
typically sits alongside a laptop,
whereas a laptop screen extender
folds out like wings from one or
both sides of the laptop’s display.
The latter often features a rear
kickstand to help the laptop screen
hold the extra weight.
Some portable monitors also feature
a stand that sits behind and above a laptop
screen, similar to a screen extender.
Alternatively, there is the option to use
an Apple or Android tablet as an ad hoc
standalone portable monitor, which can sit
alongside a laptop.
56 INTHEBLACK November 2025
Choosing the right laptop screen extender
requires measuring usability against portability,
as larger screens are more useful, but also heavier.
Most laptop screen extenders connect via USB-C,
which supplies both video and power, although
this drains the laptop’s battery more quickly.
When shopping for laptop screen extenders,
key features include screen size, resolution,
brightness and touchscreen support. Here are
five options to consider.
MOBILE PIXELS TRIO MAX
The Mobile Pixels Trio Max sports two 14.1-inch
1080p displays, each relying on its own USB-C
cable. It can act as a standalone portable
monitor or fold-out screen extender, with
the ability to angle the screens so they face
other viewers.
