PRISM+ Nomad Pro 16 Review – Second or Extended, You Choose

PRISM+ Nomad Pro 16

RM1,299.00

8.6

Design

8.5/10

Portability

8.5/10

Battery

8.0/10

Display

9.0/10

Price

9.0/10

Pros

• Portable and slim
• Good display quality
• Affordable
• Easy to set up
• Responsive touchscreen

Cons

• Slightly heavy to carry for long period

Buy Now

Not many digital nomads I know are as daring or tech savvy as some but sometimes they are a lot smarter than you think. I’m saying this because they tend to try something different or unorthodox in getting a certain job done especially when they are away from their workstation. Like me for instance, I know that I will always have my phone with me. Therefore, I will rely on that piece of technology to get me going any time of the day.

At the same time, I know at the back of my mind that I don’t actually need a laptop to work remotely. I only need my phone and an Internet connection. All my work data is stored on the cloud so technically, my files are always there when I need them. And to assist my phone in getting some work done, I also have a portable monitor with me – this time I have the new PRISM+ Nomad Pro 16. 

Sure, more of us have heard about portable monitors before. But have you actually thought of getting one or use them for out-of-office work? I have. Many times. I find it extremely useful especially when I know that I need to do some work while on vacation or something. 

To add the icing on the cake, if you have a Samsung phone with Samsung DeX support, you’re in for a treat. You can instantly turn your phone into a mini PC with a few taps on the screen. You only need to connect your Samsung phone to the PRISM+ Nomad Pro 16 via a USB-C cable. Voila! You have an instant mini PC. 

Another plus point that I find with the PRISM+ Nomad Pro 16 is the on screen touch controls. You can use it just like any other touch enabled laptops but only when it is connected to your laptop or device via the USB-C connector. If you connect the PRISM+ Nomad Pro 16 via the HDMI cable, you will not be able to use the touch screen. 

I use the PRISM+ Nomad Pro 16 as an extension to my laptop display. The PRISM+ Nomad Pro 16 is a 15.6” display with vibrant colour and touch screen. My laptop is also a 16” display so for me, I would place them side by side for better multitasking. The PRISM+ Nomad Pro 16 supports up to 1080p screen resolution and the FHD IPS display is bright and clear up to 420 nits brightness.  If you want to get a higher resolution display, you can opt for the PRISM+ Nomad Ultra 4K 16 instead.

The PRISM+ Nomad Pro 16 supports USB-C digital connectivity and HDMI output to support older machines. It also comes with built-in stereo speakers in case you need something extra to support your tiny laptop speakers. Also to take note that the PRISM+ Nomad Pro 16 comes with its own battery that can last up to 4 hours of display time. In my own test, the battery is able to keep up with my laptop for just over 4 hours of use at 50% brightness. So I guess it’s better than not having its own battery. This elevates its potential as a reliable portable display for some users. 

While in landscape mode, the volume rocker button is located on the right side of the display near the top while the power button is located at the top on the right side of the display. If you want to change the settings of the PRISM+ Nomad Pro 16 such as the brightness and colour adjustments, you will have to use the on screen display (OSD) and use the volume + power button to toggle the selection. While using the OSD menu, the touchscreen will not work. 

The overall design of the PRISM+ Nomad Pro 16 is good, in my opinion. The simplistic button layout and the placement of the stereo speakers are very well thought of. The whole display is rather thin but a little bit heavy. I don’t mind the weight but it would be nicer if it’s a little lighter for better portability. It also comes with a casing that doubles up as a kickstand, similar to a casing for a tablet. 

Only one thing I don’t like about the kickstand on the casing. It made the display lean a little too much backward. I am not used to that view so I would put something at the back to straighten it up a little bit. Another cool thing to have is its own kickstand, just like on a Microsoft Surface Pro tablet. Good idea right guys?

Unfortunately I didn’t get the chance to connect the PRISM+ Nomad Pro 16 on any of my phones because I don’t have a compatible device for that. Just a week before I received this PRISM+ Nomad Pro 16 for review, I sold off my Galaxy S22 Plus which has Samsung DeX. I should have waited a little longer so that I could at least try the Nomad with Samsung DeX. That would be so cool. 

But using the PRISM+ Nomad Pro 16 as an extended display to my laptop is equally great. Multitasking is never easier with this combination. I simply love the PRISM+ Nomad Pro 16’s touchscreen capabilities that I can quickly select a file or open a program without having to reach for the mouse. I can even turn it in portrait mode and use it to keep up with a chat program especially if you’re a gamer. Gamers or streamers will always have their Twitch chat on and viewing the PRISM+ Nomad Pro 16 in portrait mode is the best option. Same goes when viewing Discord chats. If you’re a gamer, you’ll know what I mean. 

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a portable display to compliment your current laptop, look no further. The PRISM+ Nomad Pro 16 is a good buy and the price is very affordable. I know this because I was looking at another brand for a portable display but the price was way too high for me until I saw the PRISM+ Nomad Pro 16. 

For a portable display like this, I would say it is the best in its class. I love the clarity and brightness, the portability and also it is touchscreen enabled. The display is big enough to be used as a daily work display but small enough to be carried around in my bag. Plus, it has its own battery that I can at least use for a few hours without having to plug into a power outlet while I’m out. 

Priced at RM1,299.00, it is definitely a steal. If you wish to get your hands on one, head over to PRISM+ Malaysia’s website and grab one.

Specifications