The ViewSonic TD1656-2K is positioned to be one of the brand’s best portable monitors to date. It features a responsive 2K touch screen in small form factor, allowing users to enjoy sharp images. Let’s take a closer look to determine if its well worth its price tag which costs twice as much as the other ViewSonic portables.
ViewSonic TD1656-2K Specifications
- Screen Size: 16 Inches
- Resolution: 2560 x 1600 WQXGA
- Aspect Ratio: 16:10
- Panel Technology: In-Plane Switching (IPS)
- Refresh Rate: 144Hz
- Response Time: 11.6ms
- Contrast Ratio: 1500:1
- Brightness: 330 cd/m2
- Built-in Speakers: Yes (2 x 2 Watts)
- Stand: Height – No
- Stand: Tilt – Yes
- Stand: Swivel – No
- Stand: Pivot – No
- VESA Compatibility: No
- Connectivity: USB-C x 2
- Dimensions With Stand (WxHxD): 14.04″ x 9.25″ x .39″
- Weight: 2.8 lbs (With Stand)
Design and Features
You’ll know that the ViewSonic TD1656-2K is a cut above its predecessors as soon as you take it out of the box. It has a silver aluminum frame and a glossy panel, so it looks more like a studio-grade variant rather than a secondary display. The screen has very thin bezels, but it also has inner borders like most modern displays.
It’s a 16-inch model, so it’s more than a foot wide, just like most laptops in the same size category. It’s also not the thinnest one out there since the product’s thickness sits at .39 inches. The whole package, including the cover, weighs 2.8 pounds, so it’s not too much to add to your laptop bag or sleeve.
What separates this model from other ViewSonic portables is its excellent build quality. The chassis doesn’t feel like it will flex or crack due to the material, and it looks and feels like it was machined with extra precision. Its stand is still basically a flip cover, but it has strong magnets so it’s a bit more durable and reliable.
The ViewSonic TD1656-2K’s OSD is controlled by a dedicated button and rocker switch. Joysticks typically don’t have a place here since these monitors are so thin, so we’re okay with what’s made available. The monitor’s menus aren’t that sophisticated anyway, so most users should be fine with this setup.
The included stand for this model is still basically a flip cover that relies on the magnets in the monitor’s chassis. It gives you tilt positions and athe ability to use it in portrait mode, but it also has a low-angle mode that lets you use the screen as a pen tablet. It also has a soft inner layer that protects the glossy panel from scratches adequately.
The ViewSonic TD1656-2K only has two USB-C ports with DP Alt mode for connectivity. We know some would like to have mini-HDMI as well, but that’s not a deal breaker, considering most modern laptops now have USB-C. The Type-C ports support up to 65 watts of power, so it should be enough for most work or value laptops.
You also get an active pen with the package, and it works with both Windows and MacOS. You will need ViewSonic’s drivers to maximize its functionality, but that’s a minor inconvenience. This add-on maximizes the value per dollar ratio of this monitor since it essentially allows you to use it as a basic pen tablet.
There is a pair of speakers on the ViewSonic TD1656-2K, but they only have 2 watts of power, so they are limited. However, they are louder and somewhat clearer than the other built-ins we’ve seen on portables. Most laptop speakers will sound better, but it is always nice to have something you can use.
Display and Performance
The ViewSonic TD1656-2K sports a 16-inch IPS panel with a 2560 x 1600 resolution, a 60Hz refresh rate, and an 11.6ms response time. The backlight has a 330 cd/m2 output, while the contrast is listed at 1500:1. This model doesn’t have HDR specifications, but that’s understandable since it wasn’t meant for HDR entertainment.
WQXGA monitors offer a lot more room than 1080p screens, and they are naturally sharper because of the higher pixel count. Some users may struggle with that, but solutions like scaling can help with that. Its great for all around viewing, but the larger working area you get is arguably the best highlight, especially for those who multitask on the go.
Another important advantage of this monitor is its excellent touch response for both your hands and the included pen. Its accurate enough to be used as a pen tablet, but less sluggish than other touchscreens. This performance isn’t common with monitors like this, so its one selling point you can consider before pulling the trigger.
The ViewSonic TD1656-2K covered 98% sRGB and 70% of DCI-P3, so its more vibrant than the other portables in the market. Itrs default accuracy had a deltaE average of 2.07, so its already balanced and decently accurate out of the box. Most users won’t need to do much to tweak it, especially since it isn’t really equipped with full manual calibration options.
Using a colorimeter improved its dE average to 0.9, making it usable for editing work and content creation. The downside is that you will need a colorimeter to achieve the same results. The gadget itself is expensive, so it is only worth it if your job or business entails color-critical work.
The ViewSonic TD1656-2K’s backlight reached 331 cd/m2 at 100%, so it can fight off glare in most instances. Its contrast reached 1391 cd/m2 at 50% brightness, so its capable of producing better blacks than most portable monitors. Its not on the same level as a VA or OLED variant, but we’ll take what we can get from an IPS model.
Panel uniformity for the test sample had some minor issues, like backlight leaks on the top edge of the screen. They showed up as clouding in dark scenes, but lighter backgrounds were not as affected. Note that this can vary with every monitor made due to tolerances, so there are worse and better units out there.
The ViewSonic TD1656-2K’s main weakness is its slower pixel response time. Blurring isn’t an issue most of the time since it’s a productivity monitor, but they can show up in fast-paced scenes. However, this is forgivable since the monitor isn’t advertised for fast-paced gaming.
It also doesn’t have VRR, even if DP Alt Mode supports it via USB-C connectivity. Its always nice to have protection from tearing and stuttering, but its acceptable not to see it on a monitor in this category. Its input lag sits at 10ms at 60Hz, so its very responsive despite its limitations as a portable display.
Thoughts on the ViewSonic TD1656-2K
The ViewSonic TD1656-2K is a fantastic portable monitor for professionals who want the best at a reasonable price. It has an excellent design with premium craftsmanship, so most will be happy with their investment. It has excellent performance based on accuracy and contrast, making almost directly comparable with the Lenovo M14t Gen 2.
However, it also has some limitations, like a slower pixel response time or its lack of HDMI connectivity. These are minor, so we can’t treat them as demerits for this review. The ViewSonic TD1656-2K is a fantastic buy, and there are only a few more expensive options that can top it.
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’s 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 to create reviews that accentuate the seldom explained aspects of a PC monitor.
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