With sub-$100 pricing, the MSI Pro MP165 E6 gives you the basics and not much else.
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The market for budget-oriented portable monitors is expanding rapidly. We’ve seen several budget monitors emerge that deliver respectable performance, priced well under $100. MSI is the latest to deliver in this market with the Pro MP165 E6 – a 15.6-inch IPS portable monitor with a 1920 x 1080 resolution, integrated speakers, and a built-in kickstand priced at $89.99.
Design of the MSI Pro MP165 E6
The Pro MP165 E6 doesn’t break any new ground in terms of design, featuring a body constructed entirely of black plastic. The plastic is not of the highest quality or density, as the chassis easily flexes when minimal force is applied to the corner. But the integrated stand is made of aluminum, which should aid in its durability. A single tripod mount is integrated into the stand for using the monitor in the field. There are also two mounting points on the back to accommodate a VESA 75 bracket.
The bezels around the display are relatively thin on the right, left, and top sides. There’s a slightly larger bezel below the display with the letters “MSI” emblazoned in the middle. As is typically the case with monitors in this price range, you’ll find a matte, anti-reflective coating on the display.
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When it comes to connectivity, the Pro MP165 E6 meets our expectations. It features two USB Type-C ports (with DisplayPort support), an HDMI 2.0b port, and a 3.5 mm headphone jack. According to MSI, both USB-C ports support 15-watt Power Delivery. The two USB-C ports and the HDMI port are located on the left side of the display, while the 3.5 mm headphone jack is mounted on the right.
Depending on where you plan to place the monitor relative to your laptop, the placement of the ports could be an issue. It’s also somewhat of an eyesore to have cables jutting out from the side of the monitor like the neck bolts on Frankenstein’s monster. My preference is to have a central I/O spine on the back of the monitor that allows the cables to hide from view during normal use. However, that’s just a pet peeve of mine, more than a dealbreaker for a portable monitor.
The only other items of note on the exterior are the controls, which are featured on the right side below the headphone jack. You’ll find a power button and a jog wheel for accessing OSD settings.
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