SideTrak Swivel 12.5"

Does what I wanted I looked around for a setup that I could use on the go. A lot of monitors seemed to need a stand (making using this one on a laptop stand or in my lap impossible), or had a really large mount to the back of the laptop. I chose this unit because it could attach it either side and I could get two without paying extra for some sort of double mount. Works really well - I can pack everything into a backpack for travel and work. A couple of notes - attach the mounting plate with a very small amount of tilt, then the monitor will be level (else the gaps in the hinges can cause it to be a little unlevel). Also, the instructions for attaching aren't quite right (maybe for another unit?) Causing me to attach both brackets to one side. I had to force them off and attach again using down gorilla double sided tape. Works fine now. Also, on the left side (when the monitor is upside down) it has a great feature to auto adjust and display your picture right side up. However, there's a minor bug in that when the computer goes to sleep and comes back on, the monitor has a fault and doesn't display. Just have to unplug and plug back in. Additionally, if you tilt the laptop too far back, the magnet isn't strong enough and the monitor can deattach. A little annoying but just don't tilt back far. All in all though, exactly what I wanted. These are the only issues and they're easily rectified.

This is something I did not know I NEEDED in my life. Honestly, this is not a want it’s a NEED. My productivity has greatly increased with this portable monitor, and portable it is! It’s now a part of my daily setup. Quick run down. Pros: VERY portable Easy to setup Adjustable (can move to left or right side) Efficient Cost effective (if you buy used. I got mine for $240 and it did not have any damage at all, everything included in package except mounting guide. Cons: A bit pricy for a portable monitor but you’re definitely paying for the technology and portability aspect It’s a bit heavy and strains my laptop hinge, not sure of long term repercussions, however I’m sure it’ll be fine If you have to plug in both cables, there’s wires everywhere Display isn’t as crystal clear as the laptops monitor, not horrible quality but definitely noticeably less than my laptops (however it’s a portable monitor so it’s okay) Screen isn’t as bright as I would have hoped for but it’s not bad OVERALL: I love it and I couldn’t imagine NOT having a portable second monitor like this with my laptops now. I honestly wish I would have had this in my life sooner! 5/5. When setting up PLEASE make sure you have it on perfectly, like a prior review says you’ll have to tilt it a little bit to make sure it’s perfectly aligned. If you’re on the fence on the price point like I was, if there are any used ones buy it! Essentially the same as new and almost 30% cheaper or so. I have absolutely no regrets and am a happy customer. I look forward to see if this company will create a newer version in the future, as I am going to get it.

I have been eyeing the SideTrak swivel portable monitor for my laptop for some time now. I am a full-time student. Most of the time I have multiple windows opened so I knew wanted an additional monitor to be able to see all my windows at the same time. Am I happy with my purchase? Overall, I would say yes. I was a bit nervous to attach the monitor to my laptop, but once I watched the YouTube instructional it was easy to install. So the Pros and Cons. Pros: Provides me with the additional screen I need for school and work Requires only one chord to connect to laptop and Monitor (chord comes included with monitor) Easy to flip open and close when not in use Con: Because it’s installed as an additional piece to my laptop cover, the weight of the monitor will cause my laptop to occasion fall back due to the weight. I have to angle the cover a little forward so it does not topple over or use something to brace the back or the laptop cover so it does not fall over. The brightness of the monitor isn’t as bright as my laptop monitor. I might have to play around with the options (possible user error). I will update my review if I am able to resolve the issue. Like I said, overall, I’m happy I purchased it. Do I use it all the time — not really. But when I need it, it does come in handy.

Overall, I work remote and thought it would help make the 3weeks away from my double-monitor desktop a little easier. Aside from using it at home to get familiar with it first, on the actual trip.. I ended up using it the first and second day, and not a day more. I really can, and still do, see the benefits of having this additional screen. The few times I did use it really made an interesting difference in working. However, the few times I did use it showed me that the difference it made was not substantial enough to keep… nor did it add THAT much convenience. I did love this look more than the others that take up the entire back of your laptop. Screen: Nice LED Screen, but was a yellowish hue darker than my ThinkPad. Not that big of a deal but there is an obvious distinction I could not let go of. Also, I didn’t have it open all the time, so the hassle of taking it on and off - let alone keeping up with it - was cumbersome. The magnet is strong, and I’m tinder-handed with certain electronics, so swiveling and moving it around was not an issue. Connection: There was always a bit of a lag when attempting to move a file or window over to the Sidetrak. As in, I had to drag/force it over to the external screen because it would not smoothly slide over. Sometimes it would glitch which was worrisome. I could not figure out how to make the text bigger on the Sikdetrak either. I work in law, so having to move in close every other minute just to read something seemed unnecessary. The cord is rather cheap too. Weight: I positioned mine to align with the top of the laptop. My ThinkPad isn’t that heavy (14in I believe, bigger than the 12.5 here), so if it wasn’t sitting up in an exact position (especially when on my lap or mount), then it would dramatically pull my screen backwards in a scary fashion. I feared that if it fell while I wasn’t around, then it would snap my laptop in-half. So I never left it alone. Also, I walk around with my laptop a lot, I couldn’t do that with this. The weight is so one sided that I almost dropped the entire setup a few times when first using it. Travel: I left it on my laptop, and it packed away into my backpack with no issues. Doesn’t take up much space at all. Cool overall, but just not functional for me. I definitely say try it for yourself buuut don’t wait too long to return it. If you’re not using it EVERYDAY, for even a portion of the day, I don’t think it’s worth it.

I AM A PHYSICIAN AND HAVE A BUSINESS DEGREE - SO I HOPE YOU LEARN FROM MY MISTAKES. SEE BELOW. DO NOT BUY FROM THIS COMPANY. DO NOT BUY THIS SPECIFIC ITEM. I bought this item twice. The first time the cable stopped working after about a month. I bought my own replacement cable hoping that would solve the issue but it did not. I returned this item and got a replacement one hoping things would be different. Sure enough, after several weeks, the replacement item stopped working as well. I tried to replace the cable again, one that I bought myself and one that was issued to me by the seller, but the item still would not work. I tried to get a replacement from the company directly. They were initially answering my emails when I requested a different cable, but completely ignored me when I tried to get technical help for the item once I realized none of the new cables worked. I talked to a computer engineering buddy of mine who said there is a design flaw in the charging port and that this would keep happening with any device I bought from this company. Of course when you try to return the item through Amazon, the warranty period is expired and they would not refund the price of the original item. Never buying from this company again. Otherwise, when it did work, it worked okay. I would probably price this item at $30-40, not more, for the quality and the perishability.

I've been using the 12.5" SideTrak Swivel for a little over 2 years now. It's a great screen. The size is perfect for me. The brightness and picture quality are excellent. However, the main question that you need to ask yourself is "how important is the magnetic attachment feature?" For me, it's been somewhat handy when I work at small or cramped tables. In particular airplane tray tables (if nobody is in the seat next to me), the tables on Amtrak trains, and a small round patio table that we keep on our balcony. I wouldn't have space to prop up a traditional portable monitor next to my laptop when using these types of tables. Lap usage is also possible but not recommended since it's easy for the weight of the SideTrak to cause my laptop's screen to fall back. However, I work in these positions infrequently enough that it may not have been worth the additional ~$200 that you need to spend on a SideTrak over a different portable monitor. There's also a small weight premium. The SideTrak Swivel 12.5" model seems to weigh roughly .25 to 0.5 lb extra vs. comparably sized traditional portable monitors, which makes sense considering the need for heavy-duty magnets to hold it in place. One other downside: there's no pass-through USB-C charging. So I can't take advantage of the Swivel's DisplayPort support if I want to use the screen while simultaneously charging my laptop. So I have to arrange a mess of cables every time I set it up and take it apart. The SideTrak draws considerable power, so I really need to have my laptop plugged in unless I'm only working briefly. Customer support is overall friendly and helpful, but I did have one somewhat unpleasant CS experience. There was an issue with one of the magnet plates that came with the monitor, and they offered to send me a free replacement. I told them they didn't need to go to the trouble, because I could probably get by with only one of the two plates. Later I did end up needing the second plate and I asked if they could mail it to me after all, but a supervisor told me that was no longer possible since I was out of warranty. I'd need to pay for new plates. The cost was only $15, so it wasn't a big deal, but it did feel a bit like the company took advantage of my kindness to get that $15. In two years my only issues are: - The kickstand broke. No big deal, I never used the kickstand, it only got in the way. - As mentioned, there was an issue with one of the magnet plates. Also not a big deal. - It hasn't retained it's value terribly well. I considered selling mine used, but it looks like used units only go for $50 or so on online marketplaces these days. If you're working frequently at small tables, the SideTrak Swivel is pretty great. If not though, I'd recommend a cheaper portable monitor with a traditional stand. One last pro: it gets lots of attention and comments from people for the cool magnetic attachment mechanism. I enjoyed that, but you may feel otherwise. 😅

Works great. I bought it to extend my laptop screen to make working on spreadsheets easier.

I think about how long I have traveled for work and not had a second screen and wonder how did I work off a single screen for so many years. I don’t leave home without this screen. This screen works great on my company issued Lenovo with the USB C cable. However, it does not work on my personal MSI without the power adapter and mini HDMI cable. Not a big deal. I really only need it for work.