Lenovo ThinkVision LT1421 Pro Reviews

The Lenovo ThinkVision LT1421 portable USB-powered monitor makes for a great addition to your travel bag with its slim profile, included cover, and straightforward, one-cable connection. The monitor performs best as a secondary display for email, text, and reference material, though I wouldn't rule out sneaking in the occasional video while you work on your main screen.

The Lenovo ThinkVision LT1421 is a great USB monitor for those on the go that want a simple to use device that is backed by a 3-year warranty.

Conclusion Lenovo's LT1421 Wide Mobile Monitor ended up being a lot better than I originally suspected it would be. Editing photos on the road from CES was made easier by the extra space for Photoshop; the monitor also came in handy for scanning press releases for supplemental information to add to our hands on coverage. It'll be equally helpful for anyone whose job demands a similarly mobile working environment. It isn't perfect, however, and there are a few things we'd like to see Lenovo add. Toshiba offers a similar mobile monitor, but includes an A/C adapter to add a bit of backlight boost. It doesn't need the adapter; it's merely a nice bonus when you in area with sufficient power outlets. Slideshow functionality would also be handy - just plug in a USB cord for power, and an SD card slot. You could bring up your PowerPoint presentations without ever having to boot up your notebook, a welcome feature for customers who can't afford expensive flash storage. For road warriors who find that their notebook just isn't enough, the Lenovo LT1421 Wide Mobile Monitor is a viable option that could help them do more in less time. For everyone else, however, it's probably worth waiting for the USB 3.0 models.

The Lenovo ThinkVision LT1421 portable 14-inch monitor is a great travel companion for users requiring more screen real-estate while on the road.

The Lenovo LT1421 is not entirely unique. There are a few other competitors from companies like Toshiba, AOC, Mimo and more. Many of these products have traits that make them a bit difficult to consider, however. The AOC’s 16-inch panel size is too big, while the smaller Mimo monitors offer tiny 7” or 10” monitors at about the same price as the this larger Lenovo. Perhaps the closest competitor is the 14” Toshiba portable monitor, which has the samp MSRP of $199.99, but is available for slightly less through online retailers. The Toshiba offers the same panel size. It’s also a matte display, and lacks the need for an external power source, though one can be added to make the monitor brighter. However, the Toshiba is also 2.8 pounds with its case, compared to 2.4 pounds for the Lenovo. Thickness is roughly equivalent, but the Toshiba has a beefier bottom bezel, and the materials look cheaper. Which should you choose? It’s a tough call, but there’s a small detail that makes the Lenovo the one to recommend - warranty. According to Lenovo’s website, the LT1421 comes with a three-year limited warranty. Toshiba, however, only offers a one-year limited warranty. Given the similarity between these products, this makes the Lenovo the one to buy. Still, there are some flaws that keep this product from earning an Editor's Choice. Display quality could use some work, as could the brightness. Considering the price, it doesn't seem to be unreasonable to expect an extremely nice panel, but that's not what is provided. If Lenovo can improve these traits in the next iteration, without making the display thicker or heavier, it will be a brilliant product.

The ThinkVision LT1421 is a must-have accessory for anyone who wants to maximize productivity when working from the road. With a portable second screen, you can easily compare documents, view research in one screen while creating content in another, watch a movie while working, or keep a constantly updating application such as e-mail or TweetDeck visible at all times. You can even employ the monitor as a sales tool and show a presentation to someone sitting across from you.