Asus offers 24-inch monitor powered solely by USB 3.0

[Emil]

Asus recently demonstrated a USB-powered monitor, the MS248B, which is a modification of the current MS248H. You may want to know why this is so significant. What if I told you that the 24-inch monitored has just one USB 3.0 port at the back, used for transmitting both power and data through, again, just one USB 3.0 cable.

That's right, now I've got your attention. USB 3.0 can transmit more data and provide 80 percent more power available for configured devices (900mA vs 500mA) compared to USB 2.0, according to IT Pro Portal. Furthermore, Asus has also managed to trim down the power consumption to a just 9W, which compares very well with the 33W that the MS248H reportedly consumes.

The rest of the specifications are fairly standard, but it's worth noting that Asus hasn't skimped out anywhere either: full HD (1920 x 1080 resolution), 10,000,000:1 contrast ratio, and a 2ms response time. This all fits in an ultra slim 16.5mm profile surrounded by a glossy piano black bezel and the usual LED touch-sensor buttons. Asus says it has no plans to incorporate other features like a card reader, webcam, Ethernet, USB ports, or audio ports.

Now, USB-powered monitors aren't a new thing, but they've typically been quite small (think 10-inches). It's always fun to connect as many of these as you have USB ports on your laptop, but it's not as practical as connecting two large monitors on either side.

USB 3.0 has the extra bandwidth required to make USB-powered monitors at a decent size. We hope that in the next few years they will start to take over.

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/44127-asus-offers-24-inch-monitor-powered-solely-by-usb-30.html

 

[Tekkaraiden]

It's an interesting concept but I'm curious where it gets 9w from since 900ma * 5v is only 4.5w.

 

[Burty117]

That is a truly awesome breakthrough, and that is some seriously low power consumption for a fairly well spec'ed screen. this would be amazing as an extra screen for my laptop at work, now to convince the boss that a new laptop that supports USB3 is the next hurdle!

 

[stewi0001]

So if I am guessing correctly the USB is just used as a power source, it is not transmitting the video feed too, right?

 

[Lokalaskurar]

stewi0001 said:
So if I am guessing correctly the USB is just used as a power source, it is not transmitting the video feed too, right?

Look again at the article:
"What if I told you that the 24-inch monitored has just one USB 3.0 port at the back, used for transmitting both power and data through, again, just one USB 3.0 cable."

Seems to me like the video feed is also being fed trough the USB-cable.

As for the 4,5W max vs. the 9W consumption, it seems truly confusing. Pin 1 provides a maximum of 900mA on 5V (=4,5W), and is grounded on pin 4. Pin 2+3 provides data and its respective ground.

So why this actually works seem a bit strange as this is DC current, and not some î vs û AC. Perhaps the idea of a "power-USB" plug kicked off? (A connector capable of delivering much more current than just 900mA...)

 

[fpsgamerJR62]

The 9 watt power consumptions sounds impressive but does that only apply to the monitor when it's idle ? How about when I'm watching a DVD or playing a game, does it not increase beyond the capacity of the USB 3.0 port to provide power to the monitor ?

 

[Raswan]

Even if mostly gimmicky, it's another knock against thunderbolt replacing usb 3.0. Sorry Apple.

 

[captaincranky]

However avant garde this may be, they can keep it.

The current spec for lumems per watt would have to change upwards exponentially, for this tech to of interest to me.

The current crop of "environmentally friendly products", are mostly a lot of hype and reduced illumination.

Personally I don't think 300 nits is bright enough. That amount of output is just passable when the screen is new. Screens darken with time, and that could create a problem in the future.

I speak from experience with 2 IPS panels, a 24" HP, (400 nits) and a 23" 1080P Dell, (300 nits). The Dell needs everything pegged to look good, the HP, not so.

 

[princeton]

"10,000,000:1 contrast ratio"

No. It's 1000:1 static contrast ratio. Why would anyone care about a dynamic contrast ratio?

 

[captaincranky]

"10,000,000:1 contrast ratio"

No. It's 1000:1 static contrast ratio. Why would anyone care about a dynamic contrast ratio?

You're not supposed to "care" about it. You're supposed to be "impressed" by it, then buy one. And guess what, many people will, on the basis of a tricked up spec.

 

[Vrmithrax]

Tekkaraiden said:
It's an interesting concept but I'm curious where it gets 9w from since 900ma * 5v is only 4.5w.

Made me wonder too. Perhaps it's one of those MacGyvered-up dual USB plugs that draws juice from 2 ports at once (like some of the old external USB hard drive interfaces used to do)?

 

[Guest]

I think it works like my external 2.5 sata drive case. It has a dual usb plug.

 

[Guest]

I too was confused by this at first, but 990ma @ 4.5v is the high bandwidth rating for USB 3.0. There is a max bandwidth rating of 1.5a @ 7.5v, and a battery recharge rating of 1.8a @ 9v.

As I understand it, the device works at the max battery recharge capacity of the USB 3.0 spec.

 

[captaincranky]

Whoopee, this thing has a 2ms response time! I suppose we should conclude that this is more TN panel garbage.

 

[gobbybobby]

2MS is not too bad, you could still play games on the thing.

 

[captaincranky]

2MS is not too bad, you could still play games on the thing.

So, you have monitors faster than 2ms?

 

[PinothyJ]

burty117 said:
That is a truly awesome breakthrough, and that is some seriously low power consumption for a fairly well spec'ed screen. this would be amazing as an extra screen for my laptop at work, now to convince the boss that a new laptop that supports USB3 is the next hurdle!

That's easy. I know a lot of Toshiba port replicators do come with one or two USB 3.0 ports so maybe you just have to find an appropriate dock for you machine (hopefully it will have them as well).

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