Whipping out a full size monitor willy-nilly whilst travelling the tube may get you banned from public transportation, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do it anyway. Why stop at one monitor though? How about three or four? Especially when you can fit them all in your backpack. Able-HD is a 17″ portable HD 1080p resolution monitor, 3 times slimmer than the slimmest LED screen, that weighs less than an iPad. It’s a DIY project that launched on Kickstarter with a $5,000 goal. With one week to go, they have nearly $70,000 pledged from 560+ backers and the interest of everyone who could use an additional monitor for home or travel.
Make Your Monitor More Portable
In my office, I have a two 27″ monitors. When I travel, I have one itty-bitty 17″ display. It’s slightly annoying to work from the laptop when one is use to more screen area. Lugging a larger screen around… well, it just isn’t practical. The Able-HD monitor changes that and even though it shows the highest degree of utility on the go, it’s positioned to be an additional monitor for where ever you may need one.
There are two unique aspects to this project. First and foremost, it’s a DIY project–you attach the components to the monitor, either your own monitor or one purchased through the campaign. Second, the adapter board created by the Able-HD team is what makes it all possible. With HDMI, DVI and VGA ports, a universal charger port and an Audio In/Out port it could feasibly be adapted to any LED screen.
As you can imagine bare components laying atop your desk or carried in a pack could be easily damaged, but it also leaves you open to design (print?) your own stylish shells. Since it is a DIY project, some familiarity with LED monitors and ports is recommended, but don’t let that scare you off either as set-up instructions will be included. The early bird specials are gone, but you can pick up the monitor, adapter and stand starting at $134 on the Able-HD campaign page.
