Review it – Do you need a little more space for your lighting? Do you often have multiple programs running not to mention multiple tabs open in your browser of choice? Me too. I usually have my work email, Groups, Chrome with at least 8 tabs, and various other programs open all the time. It can be a pain to change them all while working. I have 2- 27″ monitors and don’t have room in my WFH setup for a third. Traveling with a small laptop can also be difficult. Now I have one small screen and there is no scrolling or having multiple programs at the same time and being able to read everything. Enter the Kwumsy L1 monitor. Keep reading if you’re in the same boat and looking for a little more space and want it to be portable.
What is it?
The Kwumsy L1 is a 12.3″ monitor with two speakers.
What’s in the box?
- Kwumsy L1 monitor
- USB C to USB C cable
- USB A to USB C cable
- HDMI to mini HDMI cable
- Quick start guide
- User Manual
Hardware specifications
- Resolution: 1920 x 860P
- Aspect ratio: 16:7
- Screen size: 12.3 inches
- Color mode: RGB
- Category: IPS wide viewing angle
- Refresh rate: 24HZ-60HZ
- Product weight: 2000g
- Product dimensions: 387.4 x 149.9 x 25.8mm
- Average brightness: 600CD/㎡
- Port: TYPE-C x 2+USB-A x 2+MINI HDMI
- TYPE-C input: USB3.1 (via DP protocol), charging PD3.0 60W (20V/3A)
- Speaker: 2pcs total
- Material: PC + aluminum alloy
Design and appearance
If the Kwumsy L1 monitor is anything to go by, it’s simple. If you have an open USB C port on your machine, you only need one cable to make it work. Not only do I need space, but I only have two display ports on my laptop and a dock, so just using a USB C cable combined for power and data is fine. I don’t have to find a place to put the lights and then wear two cables. One is very simple. The little cable I have on that cable though is the connector on the right Kwumsy says to connect to their device. Blocks some ports. It seems like an odd choice especially considering you have to use it as a landing gear.
Here is a look at all the ports when they are not blocked.
Not bad for a portable monitor. Many possibilities. I also used it to solve a PC problem my daughter had.
Another odd choice in my opinion is the aspect ratio, 16 x 7. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a monitor or screen that’s 16 x 7. 16 x 9, sure. 16 x 10, yes I’ve seen them out there, but not 16 x 7. This makes the resolution 1920 x 860. It’s still Hi-Def but it’s considered FHD as the Kwumsy website says? I don’t know, but it’s close enough. The picture looks good with bright colors.
The refresh rate is only 60Hz so there will be no noise if you are planning a game or watching movies there. Kwumsy describes it as a “car drama”, which makes it easy to see in bright sunlight. I can’t confirm that. All my tests have been indoors so there is no direct sunlight, but it is bright enough to use.
What?! Game on it? Yes, you can. It is very compatible with every console. I mean it’s a monitor, why can’t it be? Now can I choose this on TV? No, a little because I don’t see well the way I see it, but if I’m walking I decide to “borrow” my son’s Switch, of course. I can’t use the joycons with my big hands so I also hold the controller. It’s not an ideal setup but combining it with the Kwumsy L1 monitor gives me a bigger screen with better resolution.
As for the stand, I like how Kwumsy set it up with the L1. The stand is made of metal and slides into one of the four slots on the back, making it easy to access photos or displays of any kind. It is strong and stable.
Kwumsy L1 also has a 10-point capacitive screen. Well, it’s great except that I can use it with my laptop and after I log into Windows I set it up as a tablet. Well, that’s not entirely true. Before I changed any settings, the touch worked but was responsive on my big screen, not on the Kwumsy L1. After changing the settings, it works fine. I put it on the screen and used it as a YouTube Music screen.
Now, I can just touch the screen to stop, play, jump, etc. Much more difficult than going through tabs on my browser and clicking away when the boss calls unexpectedly.
Even with the touchscreen, there’s no way to access the L1’s menus other than the rocker switch. It has a power button, a volume rocker, and an on-screen option to change the brightness along with other settings.
Finally, I think that Kwumsy L1 is missing something and it is a matter, bag, bag, something. It’s supposed to be a laptop monitor but there’s no easy way to take it with you. That needs to be fixed.
Sit down
Set the Kwumsy L1 monitor as a standalone monitor and just turn it on and play. Setting it up as a touchscreen takes a few steps. I can only speak to the Windows 10/11 experience. You need to go through the settings of the Tablet in the Control Panel and go through the steps. It’s easy and the included manual has everything you need to get there.
Procedure
So how does the Kwumsy L1 portable monitor work? It performs as well as you would expect. It’s an unusual aspect ratio so you pretty much lock in one resolution if you want to use the whole screen and not have things look wonky. My plan was to use it on my work laptop so I could bring up Teams to chat on my main display but have it show up on the L1. I can do this but the views are too high for me in that small picture. It’s hard to read. If I change the font size, so I can read it then it’s spread out and makes my other reviewers look stupid. I thought I could change the font size for different monitors individually but I don’t think that’s possible on Windows. So using it as a music player works here.
One thing I didn’t mention above is that the Kwumsy L1 has stereo speakers. Now if you are stuck using laptop speakers, this can be a good alternative. However, I was not happy. They are very small and thin, so don’t expect to be impressed, but they are better than nothing.
Which I like
- A stand
- Setting up a single line
- Touch screen
- Bright colors
What I would change
- Right USB C cable
- Good speakers
- The ratio of 16×7 is amazing
- There is no crime
Final thoughts
For what it is the Kwumsy L1 laptop monitor is fine. There are some cheap USB C chargers out there but do they have a mounting bracket? Is it touchscreen? Does it have stereo speakers the size of the Kwumsy L1? If you’re looking for something like this, you might want to consider that. I can see it and use it in my travel and take it on business trips. I should just wrap it in its own thing so it doesn’t fall out of my bag.
PricePrice: $199.00
Where to buy: Kumsy and Amazon
Source: An example of this drug was given by Kumsy