Lenovo Thinkvision M14t Portable Monitor: Specifications

• Screen Size: 14 inches
• Resolution: 1,920x1,080
• Refresh Rate: 60Hz
• Inputs: USB Type-C
• Dimensions: 8.44x12.73x0.55 inches (with stand)

The Lenovo ThinkVision M14t portable monitor adds extra screen space to a laptop easily, wherever you go or whatever tasks you have. It's a 14-inch, 1080p monitor with touch capability, making it a convenient addition to your technology collection. It's good-looking, performs well, and is simple to carry around, staying true to Lenovo's reputation for practical design.

In the UAE, Lenovo Thinkvision M14t Portable Monitor is selling from AED 1,400 to AED 1550, and it is not that inexpensive. Additionally, there are various reasons, from its technical requirements to some quirks it has, that might not align with someone's workflow. While it's a reliable portable monitor that's easy to appreciate, it might not captivate everyone's heart.

Design

From afar, one might easily mistake the M14t monitor for a tablet. It's small, measuring 8.44x12.73x0.55 inches and weighing just over 1.5 pounds, making it easy to carry and set up wherever needed. The integrated kickstand, about 3.6 inches wide and 0.3 inch deep, allows for flexible positioning, rotating up to 90 degrees and folding neatly against the monitor when not in use. However, this design means it can't lay perfectly flat without support, though it doesn't affect its performance.

The M14t Portable Monitor's 14-inch screen is framed by slender bezels, measuring slightly over a quarter-inch on the sides and top, and approximately 1.3 inches on the bottom, next to the kickstand. The glossy black bezels harmonize with the matte black finish, with the Lenovo logo in gunmetal-gray positioned on the left-rear side of the screen as the sole distinguishing feature.

Hardware controls and ports are minimal, tucked discreetly on the kickstand to maintain the monitor's sleek appearance. There are two USB Type-C ports for charging, one on each side, along with brightness controls and the Menu button on the left, and a Power button and Kensington lock slot on the right.

To use this portable monitor, the device it connects to must have a USB Type-C port supporting DisplayPort 1.2 Alt Mode and USB Power Delivery 2.0. Most current Lenovo laptops have such ports, as do many computers from other manufacturers. However, it's advisable to check if your computer has the required port before purchasing the M14t.

Performance

If someone anticipates that a slim screen like the one on the Lenovo Thinkvision M14t might not deliver top-notch performance, they'd be correct, but it holds up well for its purpose. Testing the display with a Klein K10-A colorimeter, DisplayCal, and Klein’s ChromaSurf software revealed that in its default Reddish mode, the M14t covered 97.7% of the sRGB color range; in Neutral mode, it covered 98.1%, 93.2% in Bluish, and a peak of 98.5% in sRGB. However, it covered less of the wider DCI-P3 gamut, reaching just under 70% in every mode except Bluish, where it plateaued at 66%. The colors were accurate, with a Delta-E (which indicates color accuracy) of 0.21 in Reddish mode, while other modes were at 0.3 or 0.31.

Despite not being particularly bright, even at maximum brightness settings, the M14t Portable Monitor performed adequately across various viewing angles and content types, without brightness becoming a notable issue. The screen looked good for static content, though the Bluish mode appeared too blue for personal preferences. With a 60Hz refresh rate and a 6ms response time in its fastest screen response mode, Extreme, the M14t isn't ideal for demanding gaming, and some ghosting was observed in faster action scenes with the Normal Over Drive mode.

The M14t Portable Monitor performs satisfactorily for everyday tasks such as web browsing and productivity. It enables easy note-taking and drawing with the included touch pen, boasting 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity. While it excels as a secondary screen for extending a laptop display, its size and weight also make it enjoyable to use in portrait mode, despite potential instability issues with its stand on flat surfaces.

One potential limitation of this portable monitor is its requirement for connection to a device, and the provided 40-inch USB Type-C cable may not always suffice. Lenovo addresses this by offering a USB Type-C angle connector to accommodate different cable usage scenarios. For frequent users in specific setups, investing in a longer cable may be necessary.

The M14t monitor comes with a padded ThinkVision-branded carrying case, which lacks pockets for accessories like the USB cable, angle connector, and touch pen. While the touch pen can be inserted into holes at the bottom of the case, it may not be the most secure or convenient method of storage.

Interface

Navigating the M14t's on-screen display (OSD) is straightforward and accessible, with just two screens to scroll through. The first screen provides basic controls for adjusting screen brightness and contrast, a toggle switch for enabling touch support on Windows or Android and Chrome devices, and options to activate features like low blue light, wake on touch, or auto rotation.

The second screen, labeled Advanced Settings, allows users to switch between the three Over Drive modes, the four display modes, select from eight operational languages, or perform a factory reset.

The OSD features a simple design with bold colors, no transparency, and the distinctive red Lenovo badge. However, the controls are appropriately sized for easy touch access, ensuring usability.

Final Thoughts

The Lenovo ThinkVision M14t portable monitor targets frequent travelers with laptops lacking a touch screen but equipped with the necessary USB port. These individuals must also be prepared to spend a significant amount of money, considering the availability of cheaper alternatives running Android or Windows within a similar price range. Despite this, the ThinkVision M14t remains appealing due to its display quality.