The AOC E1659FWU is a budget 15.6in portable monitor for mobile workers who use a hot-desk and need to work on multiple screens. The monitor is powered by USB and runs on standard DisplayLink drivers, so it should work on any device running Windows and Mac OS X.

Imagine having to stage a presentation without a projector. Do you make your clients sit with you, arm in arm, and look over your screen together? AOC's USB monitor is an ad-hoc solution for this problem; giving more screen real-estate than a single portable device can typically provide.

Before we get to the review, I want to start this off with a public service announcement. The following product uses a display over USB protocol called DisplayLink. For best results, make sure you are up to date on the latest drivers from DisplayLink.com.

Multiple monitor setups are great for multitasking and improving productivity . I have been using a dual monitor setup for several years and definitely prefer it over the single monitor configuration.

Portable; Plug and play once drivers are installed; Easily positioned in portrait or landscape views; Includes carrying sleeve

Washed out colors; Would not use for photo editing

When we reviewed the AOC E1649Fwu portable USB monitor last year it earned high marks for its color and text quality and affordable price but we thought it was a little bulky and suffered from narrow viewing angles.

USB 3.0; Streamlined design; Affordable; Sharp image quality

Reflective screen; Skewed color accuracy

When we reviewed the AOC E1649Fwu portable USB monitor last year it earned high marks for its color and text quality and affordable price but we thought it was a little bulky and suffered from narrow viewing angles. Its successor, the AOC E1659Fwu($99.99 at Amazon), is also affordable and it delivers sharp text and bright (albeit not very accurate) colors and somewhat narrow viewing angles. However, there are notable improvements, including USB 3.0 connectivity and a more streamlined chassis. Design and Features The E1659Fwu sports the same shiny black finish and weighs about the same as its predecessor (2.4 pounds), but at 0.9 inches this version is significantly thinner than the AOC E1649Fwu (1.4 inches). The 15.6-inch panel has a 1,366-by-768 resolution and a shiny anti-glare coating that tends to reflect ambient light. This time around AOC installed a set of VESA mounting holes for hanging the monitor on a wall. Or, you can use the silver stand to prop it up in either landsc...

The AOC E1659Fwu is an affordable 15.6-inch portable USB 3.0 monitor that lets you take your multi-screen setup on the road. Its color accuracy is off, but it delivers a sharp picture and is easy to tote around.

USB 3.0; Streamlined design; Affordable; Sharp image quality

Reflective screen; Skewed color accuracy

Users asked, and AOC delivered. The company has updated its 16-inch USB 3.0 monitor to offer traveling business professionals a sleeker device with a sturdier kickstand and better picture quality.