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Tern Setups is one of the first portable monitors that got me interested in working with multiple displays and not just using my iPad as a secondary display when I was using my MacBook.
I’ve tested out plenty of the best portable monitors, although, not all of them boast the higher screen specs you’ll find with this model. So, I was keen to see how the Tern Setups 16-in 4K OLED portable display measured up – and how it lives up to its eye-catching promise.
Tern Setups 16-inch 4K OLED portable monitor: Unboxing & first impressions
When I got my package from Tern, I opened it up to find the 16-inch monitor, a sleek magnetic stand, USB-C to USB-C Cables, an HDMI cable, a 30W Brick, and a sleek sleeve to carry the display in so it won’t get scratched up when not in use. The packaging is super clean and minimal, fitting the entire brand for Tern beautifully.
The panel is super thin, thinner in person than I expected. There is a slightly thicker part at the bottom back of the display, but that’s understandable and still would be considered thin in my book. The bezel is tiny, and the ports are easy to access, regardless of whether you are using the stand or using the monitor without the stand. I followed basic guidelines to set the panel to match my MacBook colors perfectly, giving me rich blacks, bright colors, and gorgeous contrast.
Tern Setups 16-inch 4K OLED portable monitor: Design & Build Quality
Specs
Model: 16″ Portable Monitor + Stand
Panel Type: 4K OLED (3840 x 2400)
Aspect Ratio: 16:10
Brightness: 400 nits
Color Range: 100% DCI-P3
Color Depth: True 10-bit
Refresh Rate: 60Hz (2.5K model offers 144Hz!)
Response Time: 1ms
Connectivity: 2x USB-C, 1x HDMI, 1x USB-A
Passthrough Power: 40W
Weight: 1.15kg (2.54 lbs)
Max Stand Height: 25cm (9.8in)
I’m in a phase of life where I am adding MagSafe to everything; I have a BenQ Laptop Light bar I can mount with Magsafe that I keep adding to places. I love mounting my iPhone to different things with MagSafe, and I’ll even mount SSDs (Samsung T7s and such) via MagSafe to the back of laptops to give an easy, on-the-go solution to add storage to notebooks. So, when I saw Tern use a magnet to hold a monitor up, I thought it was genius in every way. The stand feels clever and fun, all while being super easy to use.
Another thing that I was thrilled to see is that the Tern monitor has some key ports built-in that make it super practical. They have USB-A, USB-C, and a full-size HDMI, something I have yet to see on a portable monitor. This means that even if I’m not using a laptop but want to display content, I can use a standard, easy-to-find HDMI cable to connect to most devices that output video these days.
Tern Setups 16-inch 4K OLED portable monitor: In use
I’ve used this monitor just about everywhere. I’ve had it in my possession for 139 days as of right now, and in that time, I have taken it on a few trips and many coffee shop runs. However, this has been the perfect “around the studio/house” monitor for my specific workflow. Rather than carrying around a bigger monitor, working without a second monitor, or unpacking my portable monitor in my backpack, I jump to this gorgeous monitor.
It’s been the perfect companion for everything from late-night writing sessions (lit up by that BenQ Laptop light bar) to evening light gaming on my iPad or my Nintendo Switch; it’s been a fantastic display to help me set up a server Mac Mini that I have and needed to work on, it was a great companion for setting up some Desktop PCs I was testing and more. It has been a portable workhorse that I have been able to rely on for just about everything. This display has become so indispensable that I leave it right where I keep my bag in my studio or other workspaces, ready to break out at any moment.
It’s excellent in vertical and horizontal use cases, especially when I use the magnetic stand to raise the display off the desk or table. It’s got a super convenient USB-C and USB-A port. However, I would not transfer large files or charge large devices through this, but having quick access for quick file transfer is excellent.
Now, a few notes that make this a spectacular monitor, but with a little bit of room to grow. First, since the cables hang off the base of one side, this panel needs to be perfectly centered with the magnet, or it can tug one way or another, especially if at full height and with a heavier cable.
Secondly, It’s a bummer that the passthrough power caps at 40W, but for most people, that won’t be a huge downfall, just for those heavy power users. Thirdly, the Magnetic stand is nifty and super cool, but this may get in the way depending on your bag setup. In some of my backpacks, this fit beautifully without any issues.
In others, the way my bag was orientated, there was no good area to put this stand. So, if you are picking one of these up, ensure you have a place in your bag to safely and securely put the stand, and then you’ll have no issues.
All in all, this is the most beautiful portable panel that I have tried. It’s gorgeous, and since Tern has a handful of different resolutions and feature options, anyone can find what they need regarding portable displays with Tern.
Attributes | Notes | Rating |
|---|---|---|
Design | Beautiful, professional design | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Ease of use | Easy to utilize | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Practicality | Practical for most all | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Price | High price, high quality | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Tern Setups 16-inch 4K OLED portable monitor: Final verdict
The Tern Setups 16-inch 4K OLED portable monitor is the best spec-for-spec, color-accurate portable monitor I have tested. It’s beautifully built, high-featured, and tuned for creative and business workflows. Whether you need an easy-to-use display around your house, office, or workspace, or a display you can take on the go in a bag traversing the world, the Tern Setups 4K OLED Portable Monitor is a fantastic option.
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