Gechic is a relatively new company offering what it calls “On-Lap monitors”, i.e. light weight monitors that you can easily carry around. One of those monitors is the On-Lap Monitor 2501M that is peculiar thanks to its 9300 mAh Li-Po battery, which allow you to use it anywhere. You just need to connect your smartphone, camera, laptop (for 2nd display), etc… via the monitor’s HDMI/MHL/VGA inputs.
Here are the specifications of this portable & battery-powered monitor:
- Screen size – 15.6″ HD LCD.
- Aspect Ratio – 16:9
- Resolution – 1366×768
- Inputs – MHL, HDMI-D, VGA (Optional Cable Required) and audio Jack
- Battery – Li-Po 9300mAh battery
- Speakers – 1.0W (Max.) x 2
- Power – 5V/2.0A (Max.)
- Dimension – 387mm x 260mm x 12.8mm (without cover)
- Weight – 1088g (1312g with cover)
The monitor is sold with a protection cover, a Micro HDMI cable, a VGA cable, a 5-pin MHL cable, a Micro USB Power cable, a charger (5V,Max.2A), a smartphone holder, 2 stand bricks, a cable clip, one QIG, and a user Manual.
You may need an extra adapter for devices such as iPhones (using Apple proprietary crap), Samsung Galaxy S3 and Samsung Note 2 (using 11-pin MHL).
MobileTechReview got hold of the display last month, and provided a good overview of this monitor. The reviewer claims they only needed to charge it every 2 to 3 weeks for their use (Monitoring camera output when filming).
On-lap Monitor 2501M can be purchased on Newegg for $249, and Gechic has several distributors in Europe and Asia. You can find more information on Gechic On-Lap Monitor 2501M page.
Thanks to Victor for the tip.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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Was sorta hoping for it were a touchscreen monitor.
Even just 2 point touch would’ve been good enough.
Nice, but for $300 – $350 you can have laptop 15″ … or I do not understand something again?
@Alex
Most laptops have only HDMI OUT not IN.
I wonder how long battery holds.
@Alex
Maybe the price could be improved, but you can connect any HDMI device to that monitor, so the use cases go beyond to what your could do with just another laptop.
@Orlean
I could not find figures for battery life, except the “2 to 3 weeks between charge” in the MobileTechReview video.
@Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) The price tag, might be acceptable but with long battery. This device has wide variety of uses for me. Great for focus peaking, macro/stock photography with my DSLR. Most modern DSLR can output both RAW and JPGS to external screens via HDMI. I bet many photographers will be buying it. Same goes for people making films with DLSRs, “profi tax” on some external screens makes this device a real bargain. Dual screen option for laptop, bit limiting with resolution, but I bet we will see 1920×1080 panel soon. Should fit easy in bag with most laptops. Weight… Read more »
@Orlean
This is like a big tablet without SoC, no need to handle networking…, so even if the screen size is larger than most tablet, with a 9300mAh battery, I would expect much more than 10 hours battery life.
Edit: It’s also sold on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Gechic-On-Lap-2501M-Portable-Ultra-Slim/dp/tech-data/B00A63VFWI/ref=de_a_smtd, and the description reads:
“Work without being connected to a power supply up to 10 hours”, so I was a bit too optimistic…
Alex : Nice, but for $300 – $350 you can have laptop 15″ … or I do not understand something again? How many of $300 – $350 15″ laptop do have 1kg in weight? Even $2000-$3000 15″ “ultrabooks” like Asus Zenbook Prime or Apple MacBook Pro with Retina have two time more weight. I regret that “power every form factor by your phone” idea has not become popular [yet]. Motorola phases out Webtop (laptops and desktops powered by phone with combined Android & xorg environment). Asus Padphone (tablet powered by phone) is not bestseller and it is not so interesting… Read more »
Hmm, 1366×768, then I think I’m going to stick with a Motorola Atrix Lapdock. It may be smaller but it’s so much cheaper 😀
@Alex
yeah it’s a crazy for what it does ! ReallY !
Thinking of it, it’s just like a 15″ monitor with a ~9,000 mAh battery:
* 15″ monitor (HDMI + VGA) can probably be found for about $70. I’ve just realized it’s relatively difficult to find a 15″ monitor nowadays…
* A 9,000-10,000 mAh battery for $40.
Add several accessories, and a competitive price would probably be closer to $150. Hopefully it will get there if the product becomes more popular.
@Orlean
Motorola Lapdocks have mini HDMI in and USB in, can be found for under $70 usually on eBay. I have one “rigged” to function with a Playstation3 (fun for tricking people that I have a Playstation3 laptop) and another for Raspberry Pi or Bluray viewing. They are slender, nicely built laptops. Never runs hot. 😉
@lex
They have a touchscreen monitor at 15.6″ with 10 point multi-capacitive touch.
Check Amazon: http://amzn.to/1xmn1tY
@Alex
Remember this monitor could be connected to any device via HDMI, VGA. Therefore besides laptops, you can connect GeChic monitors to your smartphone, Xbox, Playstation game consoles, and even use it as a DSLR field monitor. The muti-functionality of this product is why its a bit expensive.
@Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)
Their cheapest monitor now is approximately $159 now. If you want a higher end display, their 1080p IPS portable monitor is around $300.