The MSI MP161 E2 aims to expand your virtual workspace while on the go for as little money as possible. It sports a decently sized IPS panel that gives you more room to maneuver, while its USB-C connectivity ensures convenience and ease of use. Let’s take a closer look to see how it compares to the top performers we’ve reviewed.
MSI MP161 E2 Specifications
- Screen Size: 15.6 Inches
- Resolution:1920 x 1080 FHD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 60Hz
- Contrast Ratio: 600:1
- Brightness: 250 cd/m²
- Built-in Speakers: Yes (2 x 1 Watt)
- Stand: Height – No
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – No
- Stand: Pivot – No
- VESA Compatibility: No
- Connectivity: USB-C x 2, Mini HDMI 1.4 x 1
- Dimensions With Stand (WxHxD): 14.26″ x 9.17″ x .7″
- Weight: 1.65 lbs
Design and Features
The MSI MP161 E2 has a very simple design that reminds us of commercially available tablets. It has a matte black finish all over, so it looks discrete yet sophisticated compared to flashier offerings. The screen has inner borders, but the top and side strips are noticeably thinner than the rest.
Its very compact and lightweight like what most portable things should be, so its very easy to slip into your laptop bag. The device is a little over half an inch thick, and it only weighs 1.65 pounds. That’s still added weight if you think about it, but its negligible if you’re used to carrying your laptop and work with you anyway.
The MSI MP161 E2’s build quality is great despite its budget-oriented nature. The plastics used are thick enough and sturdy, so it should stay intact under normal use and carrying situations. The monitor also uses a kickstand instead of a folding folio cover, so its more stable and capable of resisting gusts of wind while using the device in an outdoor setting.
We love that the MSI MP161 E2 has a simplified button layout for the OSD. It’s easier to use than a scroll button, but joysticks are still the best option. The latter will be quicker and more user-friendly, but we’re glad that what the monitor has isn’t as complicated as it was on other models.
MSI included a kickstand for this monitor instead of using a cheap and flimsy folio cover that often lets the screen topple easily. The downside is that it sticks out at the back of the chassis, but that’s a minor issue compared to its beneficial stability. There are no mounting options by default, but you can get a non-standard monitor mount that clamps onto the chassis instead of attaching it to VESA mounting holes.
The MSI MP161 E2’s connectivity includes mini HDMI and two USB-C ports with DP Alt Mode and 15 Watts of power delivery. You will need a power source if you use HDMI, but that’s not an issue since most modern laptops now have USB-C with power delivery and video signal support as well. There is no 3.5mm jack, but it does have speakers that are tinny and quiet compared to what some laptops have.
Display and Performance
The MSI MP161 E2 sports a 16-inch IPS panel with a 1920 x 1080 resolution, a 60Hz refresh rate, and 4ms response time. The backlight has a 250 cd/m2 output while the contrast is listed at 600:1. It doesn’t have HDR certification, but that’s not something that’s common on portable monitors.
1080p screens are less popular now since everybody wants the sharpest and crispest, but it’s a different story when it comes to laptop-sized screens. It has a tighter pixel density so it still looks detailed, and its easier to read and write on it. You won’t get as much space as you do on a 2K variant, but that’s acceptable since this was meant to be a secondary display.
The MSI MP161 E2 covers 63% of the sRGB gamut, so its not as vibrant as a typical monitor or even the laptop’s screen. However, its fairly accurate with a deltaE average of only 1.83, so most users won’t need to calibrate it.
Using a colorimeter improved the dE average to 1.51, making it a bit better for content creation. However, that’s not a score you’d expect for a display that was meant for editing work. Its also worth noting that the gamut is very limited, so buying a colorimeter and calibrating it is not worth it.
The MSI MP161 E2’s backlight was only able to produce 198 cd/m2 at 100% output. That’s plenty for indoor spaces, but it won’t be able to fight off glare in an outdoor setting. The contrast reached 778:1 at 100% brightness, so it’s a bit more decent than what MSI originally claimed.
Panel uniformity for the test sample was great since there were no major backlight leaks. There is some variance in the distribution of the illumination, but it is only noticeable in distinct instances. Note that this can vary with every MP161 made due to tolerances, so there are worse units out there.
The MSI MP161 E2’s pixel response time isn’t the best, but it is acceptable for casual gaming purposes. There is some smudging in a few instances, but it is not disturbing or terribly noticeable while playing your favorite title. Note that this is not a gaming model, so this is also acceptable in our eyes.
The MSI MP161 E2 doesn’t have Adaptive Sync, but that’s okay since it’s a business model. 1080p at 60Hz isn’t too much for most systems anyway, so VRR isn’t terribly necessary in most instances. Its input lag sits at 10ms at 60Hz, so it doesn’t feel sluggish or delayed like the older models.
Thoughts on the MSI MP161 E2
The MSI MP161 E2 is an excellent choice if you want an inexpensive portable display. Its an easy to own option that can expand your workspace if you need to finish tasks while traveling. It has all the necessary features like USB-C connectivity, so it’s a good investment overall.
However, the MSI MP161 E2 doesn’t truly excel in any aspect, like gaming or editing work. Its brightness and contrast could use a boost, but frankly, you won’t get a lot in those unless you change the panel type to OLED, which is more expensive. It’s still a good purchase overall, but buyers have to limit expectations for some of its imaging characteristics.
Pros:
- Fantastic Value
- Stable Kickstand
- USB-C and HDMI Connectivity
- Decent Default Accuracy
Cons:
- Limited Brightness and Contrast
- No VRR
About the Author: 
Paolo has been a gaming veteran since the golden days of Doom and Warcraft and has been building gaming systems for family, friends, and colleagues since junior high. High-performance monitors are one of his fixations; he believes that every citizen has the right to enjoy one. He has gone through several pieces of hardware in pursuit of every bit of performance gain, much to the dismay of his wallet. He now works with Monitornerds to scrutinize the latest gear and create reviews that accentuate the seldom-explained aspects of a PC monitor.
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