Toshiba Unveils Portable Monitor For Windows PCs

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Toshiba has introduced a 14-inch portable LCD monitor that runs off a USB port.

The Mobile Monitor, released Tuesday, has a resolution of 1366 x 768 and weighs 2.8 pounds. The display uses the same LCD panel as a Toshiba laptop, and only works with PCs running Windows 7, Vista, and XP.

Businesspeople can use the new product for giving presentations during sales calls or meetings. The display can also be placed on extended mode for adding screen real estate to a laptop.

"The Mobile Monitor allows traveling businesspeople and students to conduct on-the-spot presentations and share content without the need for a bulky projector or having to crowd around a laptop screen," Paul Collas, director of accessory marketing at Toshiba America, said in a statement.

Toshiba has focused on portability with its latest accessory. The monitor comes with its own leather case, which can also be used to prop up the display during use. The device is less than an inch thick and fits into most laptop bags.

To avoid the need to carry an AC adapter, the monitor draws power through the USB connection. The device, which comes with a USB cable, also plays video through the single port, eliminating the need for a video cable.

The 14-inch diagonal widescreen includes a brightness control and can display 256,000 colors. The monitor's dimensions are 13.4 x 9.4 x 0.6 inches. The device sells for $200.

Toshiba is not the only company making portable monitors. MEDL Technology, based in Hong Kong and with offices in Silicon Valley, makes a 13-inch diagonal LED monitor that weighs 2.2 pounds and is also less than an inch thick. Called The Panel, the device has a resolution of 1280 x 800 and runs off an internal rechargeable battery that lasts five hours, according the company.

The device can uses a video or USB connection and supports Windows PCs and Intel-based Macs. The Panel is not yet available in the U.S.