Espresso Display is a lightweight second monitor designed for road warriors.

The Espresso Display has returned with version 2 of the ultraportable, USB-C powered second monitor it launched in a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2019. Darrell tested the original Espresso Display display in its preproduction form a few years back and was impressed with the results. I was curious to see how it performed on a trip of 32,000km.

There are many ways to get work done. Some people can use their laptops as the only tool they need to do all of their work. My at-home setup is a blessing. I have two 27-inch 4K screens, which means I have nearly infinite screen real estate. I also love to spread those windows around the room.

This is my first post from Australia, 16,000km away from my home. It's not surprising that my gaming rig and all its accessories didn't fit into my hand luggage. The innovative Espresso setup was able to fit in my hand luggage. To review the company's 15-inch touch screen display, I was sent a variety of accessories and a selection of other items. The screen costs $749, plus the $99 espressoStand and $69 espressoCase, as well as the $119 espressoPen, which add up to a hefty $1,036. The screen is within reach of an iPad Pro. This screen can also be used as a second monitor for your computer. You'll need to spend that much money if you really want to get your show out on the road.

Is it worth the effort? The Espresso screen is extremely thin and lightweight. It fits in my bag with my M1 MacBook Air easily. You can charge the screen from your laptop via USB-C. The MacBook Air's small battery means that the screen draws 7W less power than the MacBook Air. Although I initially thought that this might be a problem, once I began using the setup more, it became apparent that it was not. If you are settling down somewhere for a while enough to have space and time to install a second display you will likely be close to a power source. You're good to go. You can also plug power into the second display if the first display is not being used (e.g. in a hotel room desk). The display has two USB-C ports that can supply power to your laptop. This is super smart and allows you to only plug in one cable when you need to do some work.

Although the screen's name is curious, there is a story behind it. Espresso coffee gives you that extra energy and productivity that you need to do things effectively. A spokesperson for the company said that the Display is portable, compact, efficient, and packs a punch, so users can work anywhere with maximum focus. It's a nice touch: Every Espresso team member has their favorite coffee order in their email signature. Goofy? Of course, but a fun detail nonetheless.

There are a few quirks in the Espresso Display that can be grouped together with the power consumption issue. At first glance, this seems like a problem, but once you start using it, the objection disappears. The screen resolution is another example. Both the $529 13 inch monitor and the $669 13 inch monitor with touch-screen capabilities cost $749. The screen packs only 1920x1080 resolutions, which amounts to roughly 2 million pixels. The Espresso Display is much smaller than the 12-inch iPad Pro and packs a 2048x2732 resolution (roughly 5.8 million pixels). The iPad, like the iPhone which introduced retina displays, is intended to be carried around. I have found that the Espresso Display can be too far from my eyes when it is propped against the protective lid or on the stand.

The inclusion of a pen in the Espresso Display as an accessory can cause confusion about the position of the Espresso Screen. I believe the screen was designed to be sat on your desk and away from your face, rather than a handheld device. The slightly reduced resolution is not a problem for me. It's easy to use as a touch screen. Text isn’t as crisp on this device as it was on my MacBook Air. The Air has a 2560x 1600 display which is approximately 4 million pixels. Text looks as smooth as butter. You must also get close to the pen to be able to use it.

Another problem I encountered was that the USB C cables I took on my trip were not compatible with displays. This is entirely my fault. However, I would like to vent about how cables that fit into one USB-C socket should be interchangeable with any other cables that fit within that socket. Although I know there are many technical and economic reasons why this is not possible, it would be a horrible user experience to have a USB cable that does not have all the necessary leads to transport DisplayPort standards.

Espresso Display includes some clever software that enhances its capabilities. The screen can be rotated sideways on the magnetic stand to change its orientation. It then reports the orientation change to the computer. This in turn causes the computer to respond by rotating the screen. It's little details like this that make it clear that the team spent a lot of time observing users and creating a user-centric product.

According to the company, it plans to add functionality to the displays using its espressoFlow software. This includes a variety of features that will challenge Wacom and other smart tablet tools used by graphic designers. The company has shipped screens to over 10,000 people and has more than 20 employees. There are ambitious plans for expansion and ambitious road maps.

Would I be willing to spend $1,000 on this solution? It really depends. These days, I do most of my work in one of two modes: at the command center at home, where I have a standing desk, 64GB of RAM, fast Intel i9 processors and may-as-well-be-infinite screen real estate. Another mode is when I'm on the road, such as at events or reviewing devices and talking to founders. My MacBook Air and an audio recording device are all I need in that mode. The Espresso Display makes little sense in either work mode.

In the past, however, travel was much easier and I worked on the road for several weeks or months. I was always wishing for a second monitor and the flexibility to work from anywhere. Espresso Display may be the right choice for you if you spend a lot time on the road or need an easy-to-packaway second monitor solution.