Geek Review: ROG Strix XG16AHP Portable 144Hz Gaming Monitor

Sometimes, a piece of hardware comes in that leaves more questions than answers, and the ROG Strix XG16AHP is one such piece of tech. It is a portable gaming monitor and we previously reviewed the Lepow Z1-Gamut, so portable monitors aren’t new both to us or the world. However, the already niche nature of portable monitors, coupled with the price point of the ROG Strix XG16AHP makes it a curious peripheral to evaluate.

That is not to say that it’s bad, as hardware wise, this portable monitor has great specs – a 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS panel with 16:9 aspect ratio, and an impressive 144Hz refresh rate, built-in 7800 mAh battery and three hours of battery life while running at the full 144Hz. All for 900g in weight, and a slim 11.8mm profile. The built-in front facing speakers also come with an embedded ESS Amplifier DAC, so even on the audio front, the ROG Strix XG16AHP delivers.

There is also a range of visual options (Gameplus, Low Blue Light, Game Visual, Shadow Boost) to best customise the display to one’s needs. Gameplus puts a crosshair, FPS counter, and a timer on-screen, while Shadow Boost dynamically makes the darkest areas on-screen clearer, and Game Visual offers pre-set visual settings designed to cater to different game genres.

Port-wise, there is one micro HDMI port, one earphone jack, and two USB-C ports. These are sufficient to connect to any modern device.

As a portable monitor, the ROG Strix XG16AHP is great. It has everything that one would want in a portable monitor. With a stylish design, nifty bag, and a tripod stand, there’s no question that this is a solid monitor in its own right.

Whether it is for the office workers, tutors, or gamers, this monitor can be used for conducting presentations, watching movies, and playing games while out and about. In a way, it is making a part of our workstation portable. Also, for those who prefer a more compact workspace or are simply tight for space, this is a good option as a primary monitor for one’s desktop and also as a space-efficient second monitor.

The perplexing part isn’t its performance, because it’s definitely a bit of an overachiever in that aspect, nor is it in terms of its potential use cases, because there are definitely uses for it. The perplexing part is due to its singular, inflexible functionality. Do people often find themselves in need of a medium-sized portable monitor? And even if they do, is a monitor that can only function as a monitor, requiring a connection to another device really the best option? After all, for being as light and as easy to carry around as the ROG Strix XG16AHP is, it requires another device to work, which means instead of carrying one device, now we’re carrying two. It may not be heavy, but it is still an additional load.

With tablets becoming increasingly common, and laptop-tablet hybrids such as the Microsoft Surface available on the market, it seems like those looking for efficiency, convenience, and portability are better served looking for devices under those categories instead of a portable monitor.

The Lepow Z1-Gamut has the advantage of being affordable, and as such, could be an option for people who simply need a quick and easy solution for perhaps regular presentations and movie nights with friends outside. The ROG Strix XG16AHP retails at S$809, which is still cheaper than a good tablet, but not by much.

Ultimately, this is a portable monitor for those who already have a specific use and need in mind that the ROG Strix XG16AHP just so happens to be suitable for. Beyond that, however, it is hard to recommend this despite how well it performs. Even in evaluating it, there is a conundrum. Based solely on its specs and under the category of portable gaming monitor, it is going to excel, due to the nascent nature of the portable gaming monitor niche and its solid performance. Also, the accessories that come with the portable monitor do show an attention to detail and design. However, when considering its practicality and versatility as a device, it comes off as more of a novelty than a piece of hardware addressing people’s existing needs.