The Portable Monitor Flex 14in: One-minute review

One of the biggest issues with working on a laptop is the relatively small screen size. Even with a larger 16" screen, the actual real estate quickly disappears as soon as you open more than one window or app. The solution is The Portable Monitor Flex 14in, which is quite unlike any other compact portable monitor.

Firstly, the build quality is designed to partly match the space grey and metal casing of the best MacBook Pro laptops, a design also reflected in many PC laptops. However, while it tries to blend in colour and material with Apple's design ethos, it doesn't quite match the quality of Apple's product design. That's not to say it's not well-made; it's just not as refined as you'd expect from an Apple product

However, it is ingenious. It has dual monitors that fold out on either side of your MacBook 14in or any other laptop, as long as the laptop has a USB Type-C port to connect the display. The power and monitor cable are combined, and if you need extra power, a second USB Type-C port on the monitor allows you to connect it directly to a portable power source or a wall socket.

On the first run with the monitor, a few drivers are needed to ensure the smooth operation of the monitors. Thankfully, The Portable Monitor includes a USB key with all the drivers needed for Mac, PC, and Android, as well as cables.

Once installed, you can connect the monitor and run both monitors from that single cable. This setup does increase the drain on your battery, but you can plug in an external power source if needed.

The OSD menu offers many adjustments over brightness, contrast, sharpness, and other settings. You can also adjust directly through your normal computer settings.

We've tested plenty of the best monitors for MacBook Pro, and we can say the quality of the display is excellent in use. On the other hand, this needs to be considered a secondary and tertiary display, especially for MacBooks with their P3 color space and high resolutions. However, the display quality is great and ideal for positioning palettes, browsers, Word documents, and music players that usually get hidden away.

The other major benefit is the articulation of the screens, allowing you to position them in a triangle, so if you're in a meeting, you can flip the screens around so that people on your left and right can see what you're discussing.

Overall, it's a great product, not quite as refined in design as some of the best portable monitors we've tried, and the displays should be seen as secondary if you work in the creative sector due to the 1080p resolution and maximum sRGB colour space. However, when it comes to functionality, especially for expanding your workspace and whenever you need to show what you're doing to others, the flexibility in the positioning of the monitors and the increased workspace is a huge benefit.

The Portable Monitor Flex 14in: Pricing and availability

• How much does it cost? $599 / £476
• When is it available? Now
• Where can you get it? It is available for sale in the US, UK and Australia

The Portable Monitor Flex 14in is widely available and can be brought directly from the official website. 

The Portable Monitor Flex 14in: Specs

The Portable Monitor Flex 14in: Build and Handling

Designed as a fold-out monitor system to complement your laptop, the Portable Monitor Flex 14in consists of three sections that fold out, with two monitors attached to a central stand.

The whole unit is made from decent-quality metal that reflects that of the Space Grey MacBook Pros. The build is solid enough, with thick hinges on the monitors that enable the screens to adapt to laptops from 13" to 16" without issue, even though the monitor is designed for 14" screened laptops.

While the overall build is good, there's a lack of precision, and the finesse of good product design seems to be missing. The component parts are all there, and it does work well, but when folded, there's space and flex between each of the folded sections where you really feel it should all lay flat. Likewise, the metal stand that folds out is good and solid, but again, there's some flex when it's packed away rather than sitting flush in its recess.

In use, the stand folds out, and then the two monitors fold out so that a laptop can be slipped in between the two monitors. The large hinges can then be adjusted to accommodate the size of the monitor that your laptop has. Once all is in position, the USB cable can be attached directly to power and connect the laptop to the monitor.

While these days we're used to plug and play, it should be noted that before this monitor system can be used, you'll need to install the drivers. Thankfully, these come in the box with the monitor and take only a few moments to install. Once in place, you can then plug in the monitor and start to configure the screens as needed. On a Mac, this involves delving into the screen options and arranging the monitors so that one sits on the left and the other on the right of the laptop screen, all nice and easy.

Using the Portable Monitor Flex as a triple monitor system is just one use for this device. An equally useful use is in meetings where others need to view your screen. Rather than crowding around, you can fold the Portable Monitor Flex 14in into a triangle of monitors behind your laptop screen, meaning that if you and your colleagues are sitting around a table, you can all view what's going on. Effectively, then, it's one of the best monitors for a dual set-up (or even a triple set-up).

Finally, if you just need one monitor rather than two, a quick tap of the mode button allows you to switch one of the screens off or position it in portrait orientation, which can be useful for reviewing documents and content online.

The Portable Monitor Flex 14in: Performance

The initial setup is quite straightforward, with the dual monitor folding out and supported by the stand at the back. The design allows for several usage configurations: as an extension of your laptop's screen with one on either side, as a triangle of screens behind your laptop screen for others to view your work, or as a single vertical or horizontal screen.

Each configuration can be quickly switched between, with the metal build and large solid hinges providing plenty of flexibility for easy adjustment and positioning. Before you plug in for the first time, the monitor's software driver needs to be installed. This one-time procedure takes just a couple of minutes and is extremely straightforward, although it is unusual in today's plug-and-play environment.

As you switch between the different configurations, the screen modes can be selected using the on-screen displays, with = and + symbols on each monitor, allowing you to adjust and change the settings as needed. Likewise, all the usual options and settings are available through the laptop's OS. By default, the monitors are set to a low resolution, so increasing this to the maximum 1080p is one of the first adjustments that should be made.

Once set up, the screens perform well with a clear, crisp image and plenty of adjustment over the colour and tone. Although the monitor can only display sRGB, it can be adjusted to match well with the MacBook Pro's monitor. However, the quality of the output means they are great for office documents, browsing the internet, and displaying palettes. Still, they should be avoided for tasks requiring precise colour or tone adjustments.

Overall, the monitors are easy to use, and the additional workspace is definitely a huge advantage. However, if you're considering this as a screen extension for use on a train, the size—both packed away and when folded out and in use—is a bit obstructive. This solution is more suited for hot desking, moving between offices, or having meetings where flexibility is needed. They're a great idea and work well in the right environments. The screen quality is good but should not be seen as on par with a P3 high-resolution MacBook screen. These are fine for document review and screen expansion but not for tasks that require absolute colour accuracy.

Should I buy the The Portable Monitor Flex 14in?

The initial idea of this dual-screen system, which sandwiches your laptop screen between two 14" monitors, sounds and looks great, and in practice, it does work well. However, while the quality of the materials and manufacturing is good, the precision of the product design is somewhat lacking, and this is something that carries through in its use.

Unlike many devices that are simply plug and play, this monitor requires drivers to be installed for use, an unusual step in today's world. However, once the drivers are installed, everything else is straightforward with an easy setup and connection.

In use, these monitors really come into their own, and through the test, I've used them to display emails, music, palettes, and 3D slicer applications, while I've used the main laptop screen for tasks that require color accuracy and higher resolutions.

The fact that these have a color space of sRGB and a maximum resolution of 1080p isn't an issue in practice, and the extra screen space they provide is a huge benefit for all sorts of situations. However, the size and design of the Flex 14" portable monitor mean that these are not something I would use on a day-to-day basis if I was traveling around or to be used on a train or similar. However, if I was going to a meeting where I knew others would need to see the screen or was hot-desking, then these would be a huge benefit. Overall, it's a great product, with the feeling that a little more finesse in the product design would elevate this to an absolute essential for many.

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The Uniformation GKtwo has made an impact in the market with its speed and quality, distinguishing it from other cheaper DLP models. It is essentially a standard 8K resin printer that uses an LCD panel to cure the resin. 

What has marked this printer out against some of the best 3D printers we've seen in a fairly crowded market is the build quality and high-resolution screen. However, the competition is catching up, with many of the high-end features that help ensure superb print quality. This printer is now capable of appearing on cheaper machines.

Still, the machine's size and weight reinforce its absolute build quality. Once you get into the full resin workflow, which is often messy, Uniformation has the full ecosystem of wash and cure machines that enable you to keep that mess to a minimum.

The GK Two is also one of only a few machines that feature a heated build chamber and air filter, each of which performs an important function when it comes to where you can use the printer and ensure the best possible print quality.

However, the point remains that, with other 8K machines now available for far less, is spending that additional capital really worth it?

Uniformation GKtwo: Design

The GKtwo is a distinctive-looking machine, measuring 350x315xH455 mm and weighing in at some 20 kg, with a large green flip lid that covers the large build area. The lid serves a dual function: it protects the user from the UV light used to cure the resin and protects the resin from ambient UV light, which may inadvertently cure the resin when not in use. Like many machines, the lid is articulated with a rear hinge, allowing it to be easily flipped up for access to the build area. While there are still a few resin printers with completely removable lids, this solution is by far the best.

The lid covers the main machine, which features a large metal base with a touchscreen on the front, connection ports around the back, and the resin tank and build platform inside. The design follows the usual conventions, with the build platform dipping into the resin tank before being exposed to build up the model.

The build platform is all-metal and fixed with a quick-release lever that secures it firmly in place when mounted to the Z-axis. The platform itself is uncomplicated and is fixed metal with no quick-release mechanism for the prints, so, as is common with resin printers, a scraper can be used to help remove the print after it is finished.

The resin tank sits on the base of the machine and covers the 8K LCD screen. A nice touch here is that the tank is also quick-release, so it can be removed quickly for cleaning when needed. Unlike some of the latest machines, this tank needs to be manually filled to level before printing.

An increasingly common feature is the heated inner chamber and filter; these are both incorporated into the design rather than being add-ons, so they sit neatly and securely as part of the system.

Overall, the design is solid and high-quality. Parts are easy to access and clean, and the design has been carefully thought out to ensure easy operation. Although the design is good, one aspect that could be improved is adding an auto-fill feature for the resin.

Uniformation GKtwo: Features

The size and weight of the machine instantly give this 3D printer a premium look and feel, making it one of the largest DLP printers available within this price range. Opening up the lid reveals a printing volume of 228x128x245mm, which, for most enthusiasts and modellers, will be a perfect size for most creations. Jewellers and product designers will also benefit from the slightly larger-than-average build volume.

At the heart of the machine is the photocuring 8K LCD screen that enables a curing time of 2-3 seconds a layer at 0.05mm layer height, using a wavelength range of 402.5-405nm. This means that the printer has wide compatibility with most standard 3D print resins. 

When it comes to transferring prints to the machine, the simplest way is by means of the USB port, although it is also possible to send the files across using the WiFi connection. To do this, however, takes some knowledge of the Prusa slicer network settings. When it comes to the slicer software used with the printer, Uniformation has adapted a version of Prusa Slicer, which, as always, works smoothly. 

However, for some users, the advanced details of that application can initially be a little daunting. However, once you get your head around the options, the control and ability to adjust supports make this one of the most finely tuned options for resin printing out there, aside from PreForm, which is only compatible with Formlabs SLA printers. Although Uniformation ships the printer with GKtwo Slicer, you also have the choice of using the excellent Chitubox.

The UniFormation GKtwo has already garnered quite a following due to the machine and print quality. In use, the machine is simple to set up, and throughout the test, absolute reliability was a key feature; as long as you check the resin tank for any debris, ensure the build plate is clear, and obviously keep the resin tank topped up.

During the print process, two non-print-related aspects really stood out with this printer. The first was the smell or lack of it. The UniFormation GKtwo has a built-in filter unit, which seems to work overtime to ensure that the room you're printing in remains as resin-smelling-free as possible. Throughout the test, this really seemed to be the case, and compared with other systems out there, which are a little plug-and-play, this is simple and fully integrated.

The second is that the printer works without issue, even in cold weather. While the temperature outside dipped below 0°C, and conditions in the workshop weren't much better, the printer continued to produce outstanding prints without issue. This is due to the heated chamber, which helps to ensure that the print environment is always at an optimum.

Uniformation GKtwo: Print quality

When it comes to printing, the slicer software is based on PRUSA Slicer, so while it can be a little complex to get into initially, it does give you a huge amount of options over the quality of the print. More importantly, it gives you plenty of control over the support tree structure, which helps you get better-quality prints as they're adjusted from the standard settings.

Moving to the machine and the print workflow, once the model is uploaded through either USB or the Wi-Fi connection, you can then just leave the machine to get on with the print. The speed of the machine is also something to note, with prints being produced at a decent speed compared with printers from a year or two ago, although more in line with the most recent crop of machines.

The print quality itself is outstanding once the prints have been properly cleaned and all supports removed. Through the test, I used a generic resin, which proved to be a little brittle and made it difficult to remove some of the support structures with some prints. While the resin was brittle, it was a high-detail option and gave a superb surface finish to the models. The trick here was to remove the prints from the machine as quickly as possible after the print process, wash them for around ten minutes, and then remove the supports before curing. This issue is purely down to the type of resin used rather than the printer.

At 8K, this isn't the highest-resolution printer out there; however, the quality of the surface and the detail really stand out, making this a great choice for model makers and jewellers who need intricate detail in their prints. Dimensional accuracy for the functional parts made was also good, showing that, again, this is a printer that could be used for prototypes and small production runs.

Overall, the print quality from the UniFormation GKtwo is some of the best that I have seen from a resin printer. With the recent price drop, this printer is somewhat of a bargain, if still a little more expensive than some of the competition.

However, there are several points that you find when using the printer, which means if I had the money, then the Form 3+ is definitely the printer that I would opt for without a doubt. It's also the printer that I would recommend for any business needing a production-quality model.

The first of the points around performance is the workflow. While other printers are quickly catching up, they're still far from the absolute ease of use. The cartridge system is simple, as is the tank design; you literally insert it, and then you're ready to go. Likewise, there's no faffing around with adjustment; the machine does everything on that front for you, including filling the tank and making sure that the temperature and consistency of the resin are correct for the best possible quality print.

Once the print has finished, the platform releases easily, and being the build platform 2, a quick push of the handles and the print pops off without the usual battle to release the print. Then it's just a case of dropping into the Form Wash, removing the supports, and then into the Form Cure to finish.

Essentially, Formlabs has created an entire ecosystem that makes the process as mess-free as possible, although eliminating all the stickiness isn't quite yet possible.

Once the print has fully dried, it can then be worked so that if there are any remnants of the support structure, these can be removed with a file, snips, or knife. Generally, the prints came out relatively clean and ready for use. One of the main projects for this project was to create a focus bracket for an Arri Alexa follow focus; this required absolute accuracy, although simple. This proved to be a simple enough project for the printer in one of the tough materials and was immediately put to use.

Likewise, other functional parts were easy to make and support with the Light-Touch Removal Supports that are generated by the software, holding the model firm during the printing process and then ripping free relatively easily once the wash process is complete. Under a bright light, the prints can then be inspected and cleaned before curing. I found that once the wash had been completed, I would remove the supports, brush away any support debris, and then give another quick wash before curing.

If any supports are left in place during the curing process, then on some models, they're almost impossible to remove due to the strength of the materials.

When it came to detail, these models showed a quality and level of detail that no FFF printer that I have used can come close to competing with. Even the best of the LCD printers with their high-resolution screens are left behind when the printer is switched to the highest quality setting.

The surface finish and detail are also exceptional, and while you do have to clean up the prints to a greater degree than with many FFF models, the quality is just outstanding. For me, the real advantage of Form 3+ is the Light-Touch Removal Support. Unlike other printer software that creates support structures that are almost impossible to remove, the PreForm software enables you to balance the support structure perfectly.

While this is aimed at the professional market and businesses such as architecture, engineering, jewellery, film, and many more, this printer will also benefit model makers and other craft enthusiasts looking for absolute quality and precision.

Uniformation GKtwo: Final verdict

The UniFormation GKtwo is a high-resolution 3D resin printer with an incredible amount going for it. Firstly, the high build quality stands out, and it packs in all the features you would expect from commercial-end resin printers rather than the consumer end, which is where the machine's cost places it.

The photocuring LCD at 8K is one of the higher-resolution screens out there but is by no means the highest, with a good crop of 12K options appearing at present. However, even against these new machines, the information GKtwo holds its precision and quality of surface that makes it stand out.

Features such as the screen, the air filter, the flip-up cover, and the heated inner chamber boost the overall performance and help ensure the high print quality and reliability that this printer is capable of.

As with any resin printer, the machine and the print are just the start of the process, as there is the whole wash and cure process to contend with once the print has finished. At this point, there is no quick release from the platform for the print, while the platform itself is quickly released from the machine. Uniformation does produce a wash and curing machine, which I used throughout the test; like the resin printer, the quality of this is excellent, and as always, it's worth purchasing.

If you need a resin 3D printer that produces high-quality prints with an excellent surface finish, the UniFormation GKtwo is a great choice. It's also a good option if you need to use the printer in a large room where you'll also be working or a cold workshop or room where temperatures might dip.

Should You Buy the Uniformation GKtwo?

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