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The EspressoDisplay Portable Monitor is an incredibly flexible display with some impressive features. Cheekily named after the beloved caffeinated beverage as both offer a shot of productivity, what I love about this monitor is how easy it is to use. A cable, a slab of glass similar in size to the iPad, and a choice of accessories to add. No unnecessary software, no weird attachments, and no software required (though there is a companion software for extended control). I decided to compliment my new portable monitor with the Creator Bundle and I’m thrilled with my choice.
unboxing and first impressions
Unboxing the EspressoDisplay wasn’t too difficult – I opened the boxes and actually felt like I was missing something due to the lack of parts. The main box contained a piece of glass and a cable. That is all. Since I picked up some additional accessories (sadly, at extra cost), I immediately unboxed them and got even more excited about my new portable workstation setup.
I chose a magnetic stand, Creator screen protector, folio case, and pen to complement the display. From the moment they’re unboxed, it’s clear that all of these items are made from high-quality materials and designed to be durable.
Design & Build Quality
Glasses
Show: 13.3 or 15.6 Inch
Resolution: 1080p
Input: 2x USB-C
weight: 1.5lb (13-inch model) or 2lb (15-inch model)
Dimensions: 308 x 228 x 0.2 mm (13-inch model) or 358 x 256 x 0.2 mm (15-inch model)
The stand can magnetically attach to the display in any orientation and fold flat, or extend into a “Z” shape to stand like a monitor, fold down like a drawing surface, or match a workspace Can make angle to eat.
The Creator screen protector adds a matte finish to the display’s glass screen, making it easier to write on and easier to see in direct sunlight. This screen protector pairs wonderfully with the Pen, another great attachment from the Espresso.
The Pen is a stylus accessory designed to perfectly complement the EspressoDisplay, packs 100 hours of battery life and proves to be a perfect partner for touch, drawing, design and note-taking. The pen has 4,000 levels of pressure and tilt sensitivity and minimal lag – as a result, it provides a paper-like feel on a glass surface and can work with a variety of operating systems.
Finally, the EspressoCase is a sleek microfiber folio stand that serves as both a screen cover (not a case) and a stand. One end of this folio attaches magnetically to the display, and the other can fold out to form a kickstand, allowing the monitor to sit upright with just the folio, without the need for a stand.
In use
I’ve used EspressoDisplay for several weeks for my portable workstation and I’ve been very impressed. I can use this display on the kitchen table, on a proper desk, on a ping-pong table in a coffee shop, or even on a makeshift desk in the middle of the woods at my family cabin/lake house. No matter what scenario I throw at it, it makes the monitor area more productive and conducive to maximum work efficiency. Additionally, its ease of use motivates me to use it more. I want to find time to go to a coffee shop during the week, so I have an excuse to use my espresso display.
When I’m working on email, I usually throw up Slack or some other tool to reference it on my EspressoDisplay in landscape mode. When writing articles like this, I put reference material and my notes on this display in portrait mode, with my notes on top and the company’s specs below. This way of using the screen has become a favorite of mine because it seems much larger in portrait than in landscape. When working on light photo editing, I like to have my file browser go full screen so I can easily preview my images without opening them.
The stand is great, the folio is super handy and helpful, and now the Pen and Creator screen protector. I’ve been a fan of PaperLike over the years since its inception. While a part of me believes that no screen protector can be quite as good as the Paperlike, this is as close as we can get. When using the pen with the Creator screen protector on, it feels like I’m writing on paper, and what’s incredible about it is that I can do it on any application that requires me to use my iPad to note-taking first. was required to use. Now, I can do all this through my MacBook with my EspressoDisplay.
Espresso also has a great companion app called EspressoFlow, which gives the user full control of the monitor. So much so that it seems like a natural extension of whatever laptop or computer you might be using. The three main features that make it incredible are Workspace, Snap and Arrangement. Workspaces allow custom screen setups to be triggered with a simple touch on both (or all) of the attached screens. So, if you have a workflow and a way to perform certain tasks, such as email or scheduling, you can now get started with all the window sizes you need in a jiffy. Snap is the feature all Mac users want. This allows windows to be easily ‘snap’ to where you want them allowing maximum screen usage, without accidentally leaving some windows off-screen or losing precious time working on resizing windows perfectly without wasting time. Lastly, the Arrange feature seamlessly rotates the screen from landscape to portrait by simply physically rotating the screen. Plus, the ability to change things like brightness, screen mirror settings, color profiles, volume, and rotation lock makes Espresso Display feel like something that should always be there rather than an extension you need to learn.
final call
For those who are going to be drawing or noting, this espresso display is no easy task. For the nomad who works on the go, this display is perfect. This monitor is a must for those who are hybrid employees, who work on a dedicated setup, then move to a different location to continue working.
This monitor is great all around, and the only drawback is the additional accessories that make this display even better. For this reason, we suggest picking up the bundle with all the accessories.
