Digital monitors that are small enough to carry, but large enough to enhance the mobile device experience, are beginning to trend ahead of the busy holiday shopping season. Until now, the the main purpose of these portable displays was to stream content from smartphones or tablets, but a new product released by Nex Computer extends this functionality to laptops.
The NexPad is a portable touchscreen that measures 12 inches, thus making it seem like an iPad or a large Android tablet. With its included kickstand, which borrows the clever design of Microsoft Surface hybrid tablets, the NexPad can sit on top of a laptop screen. The effect is one of extension; in this fashion, the $249 NexPad screen becomes a second display complete with the option of touch gestures.
You have to admit that NexPad achieves a neat trick that is conducive to productivity. We all know that dual monitor displays are often recommended to workers who need to compare documents, projects, or content rendered on two applications at once. The usual dual monitor setup is side by side, but the NexPad makes things vertical.
According to Nex Computer, their latest product comes with an edge over competing portable screens because of better ergonomics for laptop workers. In theory, raising your eyes and viewing angle up and down is better than doing so from one side to the other.
NexPad also uses a new technology called the NexCast to transmit content. The NexCast is an HDMI-compatible display that works well for presentations. With NexCast, a laptop simply needs to connect to the NexPad and then plug the NexCast in. The NexCast is capable of displaying content up to 1080p and has enough battery life to last about four hours. The NexCast device uses HDMI v1.4. That’s the same standard that is included in the Surface Laptop, so it means that it should work with a variety of Surface models.
We don’t know how NexPad compares to other product offerings, because thus far it is unique. Without a doubt, we will likely have to wait only a few months for copycats to hit the market, but we have to admit that the NexPad is a smart solution.
