Mobile displays are a rather specialized example. Nevertheless, most individuals simply make do with the built-in screen on their laptop, and those who need even more screen space typically just buy a regular monitor that stays in one place.
With a few exceptions, it’s only people who travel a lot, work out of coffee shops and co-working spaces, or don’t have a dedicated computer desk at home who seriously consider buying a portable monitor.
They’re a tricky product to get right, since they need to be small and light enough to travel with, yet big enough to be useful, sturdy enough to handle being moved around constantly, and clear and bright enough to be usable in a variety of conditions.
That’s a big ask—but even so, the rise in remote work and the falling cost of display panels have led to a bit of a boom in companies producing these types of screens over the past few years.
One such example is Arzopa, a brand that only started in 2020 but has quietly released over six portable monitors since then, along with a few related products like digital photo frames.
Today, I’m taking a look at the Z1RC, the company’s current flagship model. The pricing seemed very reasonable, which either suggested great value for money—or a low-quality device I’d use briefly and then never touch again.
Only one way to find out!
What’s in the Box
Arzopa Z1RC portable display and the 3 cables it comes with
The Z1RC comes in a compact, sturdy cardboard box with minimalist branding. Most of the space inside is taken up by the monitor itself, along with some basic instructions and three different types of cables to cover most scenarios:
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USB-C to USB-C
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HDMI to Mini HDMI
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USB-A to USB-C
There’s no power supply included, either built into the monitor or provided separately. Depending on what you’re connecting it to, that might mean you need to supply your own. More on that below.
Design and Specifications
Power, OSD, and volume/brightness buttons on the side of the Arzopa Z1RC
This 16″ monitor has a native resolution of 2560 × 1600 pixels (2.5K), which is reasonable for a screen of this size. It’s a relatively simple black rectangle, with a thicker bezel at the bottom and thinner ones on the other three sides.
At under 800g, the Z1RC is easy to pick up and hold in one hand. It feels sturdy despite the low weight—there’s no flex in the alloy case, even when holding it by one of the short sides.
All of the ports and controls are along the left edge in landscape orientation. Assuming you’re using a laptop, the included cables are long enough to comfortably reach those ports whether you prefer your second screen on the left or the right.
At the top, there’s a power button, a volume and brightness rocker, and a button to bring up the on-screen menu. The input ports are at the bottom: 2× USB-C and a Mini HDMI.
If you thought the front was minimal, the back is even more so: there’s nothing there except a specifications sticker and a fold-out stand that’s better than what you’ll find on many portable monitors costing a lot more.
Rear view of the Arzopa Z1RC
The stand moves through 80 degrees and has just the right amount of resistance: easy to pull out and adjust, yet stays put once positioned. I’d like it to be a little larger for added stability, but so far it’s been perfectly fine—at least on solid tables and desks.
It’s less stable on softer surfaces like a couch or bed, but let’s face it—how often are you really going to be using it like that?
While most people will probably use the monitor in landscape mode, it sits vertically just fine too. It doesn’t auto-adjust its orientation when you rotate it, though, so you’ll need to do that manually via your OS display settings.
That’s mildly annoying if you’re switching back and forth frequently, but otherwise not a major issue.
There’s a pair of one-watt speakers built in, which is a nice touch and not something you always find in cheaper portable monitors. They’re plenty loud, but don’t expect miracles—bass, in particular, is noticeably lacking.