GeChic On-Lap 1302

Of the handful of portable monitors I've reviewed this year the GeChic On-Lap 1302 ($199 list) is the most unique product in the category for a couple of reasons. First and foremost, it is the only model I've seen that uses a real video input; so far, every portable monitor to pass through the labs uses DisplayLink software to grab video from the host's USB port. Additionally, the On-Lap 1302 offers color controls while the others do not. And last, but not least, it is the thinnest and most attractive monitor of the bunch. It also delivers bright, bold colors and sharp small text, but it's not without issues; the panel's dark grayscale performance is abysmal, and its viewing angle performance could be better.

Design and Features
Simply put, the On-Lap 1302 is a gorgeous monitor. The 13.3-inch 1,366-by-768 TN panel resides in a razor thin (0.32-inch) cabinet with glossy edge-to-edge glass over white bezels on the front and a faux brushed aluminum (plastic) rear cover. Slightly rounded edges add to the monitor's sleek look. The only input is a proprietary port in the lower right corner on the back of the cabinet that accepts one of the included video/USB Y-cables. In order to maintain the On-Lap 1302's clean lines the proprietary connector has the same silvery finish as the back cover and snaps flush into place like a jigsaw puzzle piece.

Weighing a scant 1.4 pounds and measuring 8.8 by 13.1 by 0.32 inches (HWD) the On-Lap 1302 is a pleasure to carry around, but it doesn't come with a protective travel cover like the one that ships with the Lenovo LT1421 ($199.99 list, 4 stars) and the DoubleSight DS-90U ($169 list, 3 stars).

Above the input port is a hinged mounting plate that sits flush up against the back cover until you pull it out. The plate has a cross-shaped female slot that matches up to a male slotted plate which attaches to the back of your laptop lid using the included double sided tape. Then, just slide the On-Lap 1302 onto the laptop plate, and you've got a side-by-side dual monitor configuration. If you don't want to attach the On-Lap 1302 to your laptop, you can use the included Stand Bricks. The Stand Bricks are made of hard rubber and are a sickly green color that clashes with the white and silver monitor. Each brick is notched to fit onto the sides of the monitor, toward the bottom. You then stand the monitor up and can adjust the angle by sliding each brick up or down. Not only are the bricks unattractive, they don't provide much support either. A picture frame stand like the one used on the Lenovo LT1421 and AOC e1649Fwu ($139 list, 3.5 Stars) is a much better, more aesthetically pleasing solution.

Installing the On-Lap 1302 is simply a matter of connecting one end of the Y-cable to the monitor, connecting the USB cable to the PC's USB port (for power), and plugging the HDMI port into PC's HDMI output. If your PC doesn't have an HDMI output you can use the VGA/USB y-cable. The monitor is plug and play so there are no drivers to install, and since the monitor is using a dedicated video port there's no need to load DisplayLink software like you do with a USB monitor. All you have to do is use your graphics control panel to set up the monitor as a primary display, an extended desktop, or a mirror of the primary display, and you're ready to go. Additionally, you can also use the control panel to rotate the screen image to portrait mode.

The On-Lap 1302 lets you adjust brightness, contrast, color (red, blue, green), and color temperature levels using the four touch sensitive buttons on the lower bezel. Granted, that's not a lot of settings compared to a typical desktop display but its more than what you get with portable USB monitors, which only offer brightness settings.

Performance
Performance was a mixed bag; the On-Lap 1302 was unable to correctly display the four darkest shades of gray on the DisplayMate 64-Step Grayscale test, all of which appeared black. Shadow detail on my test photos was way too dark as a result. The panel did a much better job with light grays, and it delivered strong, vibrant colors. Small text looked sharp and well defined.

The On-Lap 1302 looks great when viewed straight on but if you're watching from the sides there's a smattering of color shifting to deal with. Top and bottom viewing angle performance is another story; from the bottom the screen darkens to the point where most colors are unidentifiable, and from the top the screen washes out.

I used the HDMI connection to connect to a PS3 and fired up Burnout Paradise, a street racing game with lots of fast action. The monitor's 16-millesecond pixel response (black-to-white) is not ideal for gaming, and there were noticeable motion artifacts throughout the game, but the fact that you can connect to the PS3 without experiencing lag is noteworthy. USB monitors don't have that ability and are susceptible to significant lag due to the sluggish USB connection.

Conclusion
GeChic covers the On-Lap 1302 with a standard one-year warranty. The monitor ships with a pair of Brick Stands, a mounting plate, two Y-cables (HDMI and VGA), a user manual, and a quick start guide.

Stunning looks, solid colors, and the ability to use a dedicated digital video signal make the GeChic On-Lap 1302 a compelling choice for a portable monitor. And it is thin and light enough to take along with you wherever you go, although you may want to find some way to protect it while traveling. Weak viewing angle and dark grayscale performance hold this beauty back, however, and the pea-green Brick Stand supports have got to go. Our Editors' Choice, the Lenovo LT1421, may not be as pretty as the On-Lap 1302, but when it comes to performance it is still the best portable monitor out there.

COMPARISON TABLE
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