Expert’s Rating
Pros
Cons
Our Verdict
If you do n’t beware bulking up and weighing down your MacBook , and you have a genuine need for a foldable , portable second screen , the Dual Laptop Screen Extender may well be your answer . But most mass would do better with a freestanding external display .
Best Prices Today: CopGain Dual Laptop Screen Extender
MacBooks can quickly and easily hook up to extraneous displays for greater desk - establish screen quad . While the plain M1 / M2 MacBooks support just one surplus silver screen , the 16 - inch MacBook Pro ( M2 Max ) supports up to four monitor .
On its own , the built - in 16 - in screen is mammoth compare to that on the 13 - in MacBook Air , but rather poky when you ’re solve on a complex spreadsheet or want to enjoy a with child - budget streaming movie in more gloriole than in - flight entertainment .
What the large build - in laptop screen does offer , of track , is portability . You ca n’t lug that 32 - column inch 4 K Samsung show to your local coffee shop or meet it on your airplane - seat gatefold tray . you’re able to purchase portable outside displays at up to 17 inch — not much large than the laptop computer ’s own . TheINNOCN Portable Monitor 15.6 - inch USB - C Laptop Monitoris one of the best .
The second screen extender connects to the MacBook via its built-in USB-C cable.
But the CopGain Dual Laptop Screen Extender is something different : it ’s a screen that physically bind to your laptop , rather than just link by USB line . you could then stockpile around your very own dual - CRT screen laptop in one simple if rather bulky software system .
Function over form
The CopGain Dual Laptop Screen Extender is n’t a looker , but it ’s quite a head - turner . With this second screen extended , I ’ve had people walking past stop consonant and goggle with wonder at my two - steer mutant MacBook . It takes some getting used to and Jony I ve would in all likelihood attack it with a claw hammer , but it would be unseasonable to say that this Frankenstein ’s monster is ugly or does n’t at least seek to fit the Apple aesthetical .
Foundry
The 2d screen measures 12 inches diagonally for 13 - column inch and 14 - in MacBooks and 14 inches for the 16 - inch MacBook model . ( I tested it with a 14 - inch MacBook Pro . ) attach the filmdom is n’t unmanageable but the instruction manual could be a sight clearer , as most people have no doubt experienced when build unconditional - pack furniture . Basically , it attaches to the laptop computer with a bracket that can be hard affix to your MacBook with a obliterable nano - adhesive .
The second screen extender connects to the MacBook via its built-in USB-C cable.
The screenland is nowhere well-nigh as sharp and readable as the MacBook ’s own — usable resolutions wander from 960×540 to 1920×1080 at 60Hz . While the higher solving offer a luck of virtual screen infinite , at 12 inches it is difficult to make out much . Using the crushed resolution means you could see particular more well . Working with a complex Excel sheet on the second concealment was a real service during video call , or you could set it to toy a movie while you work on something on the laptop ’s screen . However , you would n’t want to work solely on the second screen or use it for edit in Photoshop .
The concealment can be fold up back into its special case and protect with one of two let in magnetic covers — a metal cover that matches the MacBook ’s own color , and a gray faux leather cover . This make it easy to run , although it significantly bulks up the otherwise slight MacBook at over half an column inch and 1.87 pounds ( 850 gee ) . The height of the MacBook more than reduplicate from 0.61 inches ( 1.55 cm ) to 1.38 in ( 3.5 atomic number 96 ) , and free weight increases massively from 3.5 pounds ( 1.6 kilogram ) to 5.4 pounds ( 2.4 kg ) . That ’s the same massiveness as the original PowerBook G4 in 2001 .
As with an external display , you could see the brightness , dividing line , sharpness , hue , dynamical contrast ratio , color temperature , and other aspects via a small onscreen panel . How to expend these functions is not obvious — you’ll need to work it out yourself by rap and double - tap the small scroll wheel on the cover mount .
The second screen works well for supporting documents during laptop video calls.
The silver screen rotates about 200 degrees ( less than the 270 degrees that the manufacturer take ) , and will work even when folded back , think of you could work on the MacBook ’s own screen while show the second concealment on the back of the laptop computer — ideal if you want to show off what you are doing to someone ( in mirrored mode ) or let your tike look on a movie while you mould ( in extended fashion ) .
Like an outside display , you could set the second screen to either mirror your laptop ’s projection screen or extend it for extra real estate . For example , in Slide Show way presentation can be break open across the two screen — one showing the full - screen sliding board and the other for the presenter with the next slide and bill . Just clickSwap Displaysin PowerPoint , depending on how you want it . This modality works best if you ’re presenting to mass in front of your Mac , with the screen folded back to face them .
Should you buy a CopGain Dual Laptop Screen Extender?
The CopGain Dual Laptop Screen Extender ranges from $ 299 to $ 339 reckon on the size of the MacBook it will be attach to . That ’s expensive for a second screen — specially one this small — but you are paying for portability and public convenience rather than screen acreage .
It ’s not a desktop answer . This dual - cover MacBook solution is unadulterated for small - group presentations and other specific on - the - move and in - get together screen space extension indigence . If you want a permanent larger blind at place or in the office , simply bribe abigger international exhibit .
If you do n’t mind bulking up and weighing down your MacBook , and have a real need for a foldable , portable second screen or want to share one laptop computer between two people at the same time , the Dual Laptop Screen Extender may well be your resolution . It fits well and does n’t disgrace the MacBook ’s spirit . But if you just need occasional extra screen infinite , we recommend a heavy portable cover or a more lasting received external video display .
Fold the second screen back and anyone facing you can see the screen in Presentation or Mirrored modes.
The bracket and case screen cover match the MacBook’s color.
