Efficiency at the cost of comfort

Running out of desk space since you started working from home? Need more screens on the go? The S12 Fopo portable monitor adds two screens to your laptop with the goal of increasing productivity, and it certainly succeeds, but it’s not without its flaws. This is what you should know before you buy.

Three screens are better than one; If you’ve ever used multiple screens for work, you know how easy it is to be efficient with your time. Instead of using alt + tab (Cmd + tab on Mac) to switch between program keys, simply look to your left or right to copy/paste in windows, adjust your music, or reply to messages.

Just make sure you have adequate protection for an exposed screen, enough ports on your laptop (or a suitable hub) to accommodate both monitors, a compatible laptop model, and a fixed place to work, either at home or on the go. .

Setup: Simple with a few issues

The top of the box for the Fopo Triple Laptop Screen Extender displays a quick start guide that doesn’t exactly give you the full picture. You’ll need the included manual and a bit of effort to figure out how things are supposed to fit and connect to your specific device. The good news is that Fopo’s customer service is friendly and helpful if you have any questions that need answering.

Once you’ve figured out the logistics, everything will be relatively easy from then on. Rotate the screens in opposite directions, spread out the middle section to fit the width of your laptop, make sure both feet on the bottom are hugging your laptop screen, and push the middle section in.

The latches at the top rest on your laptop screen, and you can use the kickstand at the back to help support the monitors extra 5.35lbs (2.43kg) weight. The kickstand requires some finesse to get it where you want it, and if you move your laptop screen past a certain degree, you’ll need to completely reposition it. On top of that, it’s hard to reach the kickstand over the monitors once they’re on, so you’ll have to walk to the back of your laptop or fumble over your screens.

Another complaint to note here is that there is no real locking mechanism to keep the monitors on your laptop. The latches do their job of hanging the screens off your main screen, but they don’t feel sure. I trust the Screen Extender to stay attached to a desk or lap just fine, but moving around is another story. Do you travel with these screens in a bag and place them at a hotel or Airbnb desk? Absolutely. Walking with them on your laptop at a convention or professional event? It is not an opportunity, it will slip away while you are trying to present your work.

With the screen extender more or less installed, it’s time to rotate the screens to your preferred viewing angle and plug in the ports you’ll use for audio and video.

Note: Fopo recommends using the Triple Laptop Screen Extender with an external power supply connected to your laptop. Make sure your charger is plugged in for best results.

All the accessories you might need are included: two USB-C cables, two Mini HDMI cables, two USB-C to USB-A cables, a power adapter, a cleaning cloth, and two screen protectors. I use a 2016 MacBook Pro as my daily driving laptop, so I connected the Triple Laptop Screen Extender using 2 USB-C ports.

Note: MacBooks with M1 chips, along with Surface series laptops, are not compatible with the Fopo Triple Laptop Screen Extender. M1 Pro and M1 Max chips are supported.

As soon as your cables are properly connected, the screens will turn on; but if you’re on macOS, you may not be able to use them yet. If they still don’t work properly, you’ll need to go to System Preferences > Displays > and rearrange the displays until they line up correctly.

Advice: Make sure you use the correct USB-C port on each display. Connect the top USB-C port on the right monitor and the bottom USB-C port on the left monitor directly to your laptop.

You can also adjust the resolution of each screen by clicking Display Settings in case 1080p makes items on your desktop seem too small. Lower resolutions make the screen a bit easier to navigate, but you’ll sacrifice the FHD aesthetic these monitors are capable of.

For further customization, click the menu button on any of the screens to modify contrast, aspect ratio, sharpness, color grading, enable HDR mode, and a few other similar settings. One annoyance to be aware of is that some of these settings seem to reset every time you unplug them from your laptop. You will have to manually edit them each time you want to use your Triple Laptop Screen Extender.

Now you’re all set up and ready to start using your laptop with three monitors.

Design and screens: dark but fit for work

These 12-inch (30.48 cm) monitors come in black and offer a wide 235-degree rotation angle. The screen on the left can rotate 180 degrees to face away from you for presentations during standups and meetings.

Unfortunately, the USB-C cable prevents the screen from rotating flush with the center section, but you’ll have no problem showing off your findings to people in front of you (as long as you’re careful not to push too hard and cause the screen to slide off). of your laptop).

This rotation also means you can position each screen right where you want it to increase work-from-home productivity.

Speaking of the left screen turning all the way around, that’s how it’s stored. It is left exposed to the elements with no protective covering in sight. I recommend a padded laptop bag or backpack with a soft interior to store the Triple Laptop Screen Extender when not in use; otherwise, you run the very real risk of a damaged screen.

Other than that, the screens are not bad at all. The 60Hz refresh rate is fast and clean for almost any job, and the Full HD 1080p resolution enables sharp video displays and light, easy photo editing. They could be a bit brighter; I used the highest brightness setting at all times. However, this puts a strain on the battery, which is part of the reason Fopo recommends plugging your laptop into a power source during use.

Each screen is large enough to comfortably handle a task, such as replying to messages via email or Slack, controlling your music, or previewing code. This means that you can essentially run three main points of your work routine together, saving a minute here and a few seconds there.

These time savings add up, and if efficiency is measured by how much can be achieved in a given period of time, Fopo’s Triple Laptop Screen Extender certainly makes you more efficient. Just make sure you have a place to store it safely.

Connectivity: Do you have what you need?

You’ll need two free USB-C ports that support video and power transfer or two open USB-A ports (for USB-C to USB-A cables) along with two more open HDMI ports on your laptop. If you have a compatible MacBook, this is not a problem; just plug in two exceptionally long USB-C cables for the job (nearly 4 feet). However, the length of the cables does come into play a bit when you want to rotate the left monitor 180 degrees; apart from that, they create a cable spool that hangs from both sides of your laptop.

If you’re using an older Chromebook or Windows laptop, on the other hand, you might not have all the right ports available. You can fix the problem with USB and HDMI hubs, which typically cost between $15 and $50, or a monitor stand hub for a more permanent desktop solution.

Should I Buy Fopo Laptop Triple Screen Extender?

If you’re looking to boost your work productivity for a competitive price, consider the Fopo Triple Laptop Screen Extender. Be aware of your failures and how to plan against them, and this tool can come in handy for your remote work setup.

If you don’t want to buy a laptop bag and HDMI hub, or just want one more screen instead of two, look into options like the Duex Plus monitor extender and other portable monitors. If you have enough desk space and don’t plan on traveling often, I also recommend buying two external monitors instead of a laptop screen extender. You have a much wider range of options in color, size, performance, and price.

That said, the Fopo Triple Laptop Screen Extender is a solid choice for those with ample ports, left-side screen protection, a compatible laptop model, a stationary place to set them up, and who want to increase work efficiency.