In this digitized world we all live in, it’s important that we find the time to break away from our desks and television sets, even as we remain ever-connected to all those activities requiring some form of display. Whether you’re gaming-on-the-go, getting some work done, or looking for a way to enjoy your favorite streaming shows and films on a suitably-sized screen, a portable monitor can be something of a lifesaver. And, as someone who has done all of the above on a decidedly frequent basis, I tend to be fairly critical of the competition in this burgeoning market.
Arzopa has specialized in portable monitors for years, bringing reliability and affordability in equally impressive measure. The Arzopa Z1FC Grey Portable Monitor is no exception, delivering excellent results in line with the company’s style-savvy, budget-conscious perspective. At 16.1”, it’s compact enough to carry to local coffeehouses and cross-continental flights alike. The Z1FC weighs just 1.7 pounds and is remarkably thin; a 9.3mm width allows the monitor to slide straight into your tote bag, even if it’s chock-full of textbooks, stuffed folders, or whatever else you’re taking along for the trip.
To be clear, this isn’t actually Arzopa’s first Z1FC. But the grey variant brings a level of stylishness that the older black aesthetic can’t match. Not to say the earlier build is by any means poor, but this newer design is sleeker and altogether more attractive. The included carrying bag - which is similarly shaded - provides a sense of elegance that is a step beyond the prior iteration.
Of course, none of this matters much if the Z1FC’s performance isn’t up to par. The 144Hz refresh rate is arguably the biggest draw here, providing the sort of silky-smooth results that many portable monitors can’t promise. It lacks 4K resolution, mind you, but 1080p is plenty for a screen of this size, and as such, I’m more grateful for the emphasis on gameplay goodness than I would be for an overkill 2160p display. This is, after all, a budget device; concessions are to be expected, and I want them to be therightones.
Getting into the finer details, here are the additional display specs:
This is all solid stuff. The Arzopa Z1FC comes equipped with an HDMI/Mini HDMI cable, plus dual USB-C cables, so you can instantly hook up your PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch or Switch 2, smartphone or tablet. Despite working at a place called TheGamer, my most common use case for portable monitors is through linking my iPhone via USB-C so that I can write articles like this one far more comfortably. The Z1FC swaps between landscape and portrait views without delay, making my tasks all the simpler.
That said, I do predictably invest plenty of time in gaming while I’m out and about, and the Z1FC is a great get for not just the above systems, but for Steam Deck as well. Thus, even if your laptop isn’t on-hand, you may enjoy anything that will run nicely on Valve’s excellent handheld with the benefits of a fuller panel and high-end smoothness.
The Arzopa Z1FC Grey Portable Monitor typically retails for $199.99 USD,but it’s frequently on sale for $169.99. At that lower price point, it’s a fiercely competitive piece within its field. If you’re fast enough to take advantage of Arzopa’s limited-time offer, they’ll toss in a 10,000mAH 22.5w portable power bank free of charge. It’s a sweet incentive; personally, I seldom leave home without a power bank in tow.
For travel-capable gaming, the performance is reasonably strong. For work tasks galore, it offers a simple solution that won’t cut into your paycheck. Streaming, studying, browsing, there are so many reasons to invest in portable monitors these days, and the Arzopa Z1FC is handily one of the best. Plus, that attractive grey finish elevates it from wisely utilitarian to eye-catchingly classy, and when given the choice, I do so love to look fashionable.
