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Arzopa Z3FC: 30-second review
Ultra-thin, ultra-lightweight, high-resolution. There are plenty of reasons why the Arzopa Z3FC is an attractive display for those looking for an easily portable monitor for work and play.
I was thrilled with the overall performance. On-screen images look sharp and clear in 2.5K, and in my gaming tests, it handled 120Hz refresh rates with ease. I even found myself missing the sleek second screen when it wasnât sitting on my desk.
You get everything you need in the box, including USB-C data and power cables, and a mini HDMI to HDMI lead. Thereâs also a protective case which is a little too light-gray for my tastes, but does a good job of protecting the screen if youâre stashing the display in a backpack.
Now, itâs not entirely perfect. The main point of issue is color coverage – at 107% sRGB, itâs fine for most people but not creative professionals.
Thereâs no battery built in here, so playing games means youâll need your own power source – easily remedied, but worth pointing out. I also found with HDR on, the Switch 2 had a very washed-out, overly bright appearance. Turn it off for best results.
And honestly, some may not need a portable monitor thatâs running at around $150 or so when there are perfectly serviceable $50 displays out there. But for the price, I appreciated the thin, lightweight design, the sharp display, and how neatly it sat on my desk every day throughout the review process.
Whenever Iâm reviewing a product, I always think: Would I buy this again if I needed to? The answer here is, an unreserved yes. And just to put my money where my mouth is, Iâm ordering a second one for my wife, who fell in love with the portability. She says itâs to stay productive while working from home, but I suspect itâs so she can play even more Stardew Valley.
Arzopa Z3FC: Pricing & availability
The Arzopa Z3FC is widely available, and youâre looking at a display for around $150-ish, if you can catch it on a deal.
For example, you can grab it direct from Arzopa in the US, where itâs currently $145 (was $360 – although I canât tell when it was ever this price). On the global Arzopa site, itâs ÂŁ126 (was ÂŁ320, but again, Iâm not sure when because that seems like a very high price to me).
At time of review, itâs also discounted to $145 at Amazon.com and ÂŁ130 at Amazon.com.
Those sale prices feel about right for a 16-inch portable monitor with these specs – itâs not ultra-cheap, but itâs not as maddeningly expensive as some similar displays Iâve seen. I probably wouldnât recommend the Z3FC if it actually was over $300. But at this price, itâs an easy recommendation.
Arzopa Z3FC: Design & build
Arzopa Z3FC: Specs
Panel size: 16.1-inch
Panel type: IPS
Resolution: 2560 x 1440
Brightness: 400 nits
Contrast: 1000:1
Pixel response:
Refresh rate: 180Hz (DP), 144HZ (HDMI)
HDR: HDR 10
Color coverage: 107% sRGB
Connectivity: 2x USB-C , 1x mini HDMI
VESA: No
Weight: 1.72 lb (780g)
Dimensions: 14.41 Ă 8.98 Ă 0.37 in (366 x 228 x 9.3mm)
MacBook-esque gray in color, the Z3FC is built from aluminum alloy that feels nice in the hand. Itâs cool to the touch, but not exactly durable – itâs still got that hollow plastic-type sensation when you drum your fingers against it, and Iâd recommend pairing it with the modestly padded sleeve that comes with the device. Still, it looks good and doesnât feel cheap like a lot of portable monitors do.
One of the first things I noticed during the unboxing was just how light this display was. You can carry this one-handed without any problems at all. Itâs tablet-thin, too, which makes transporting this around so much easier. If youâre the type of professional (or gamer) intending to use this across multiple locations, itâs absolutely perfect for that.
To the rear, thereâs a built-in kick-stand – a strip of tabbed metal that allows for a range of viewing angles. When I pushed it into place, it fell with a satisfying clunk (or, more accurately, thunk). There are also two rubber feet on the base for when itâs in position.
Running along the right side are the power and OSD buttons, and a volume rocker. Beneath these are the mini HDMI and two USB-C ports thoughtfully placed near the bottom of the screen, so the cables can trail directly onto the desk. The portable monitor also sports a small speaker on either side.
Thereâs no built-in battery here – not a huge surprise, as not many portable monitors have these, which helps keep costs and weight low. That means itâll draw power from whichever device itâs connected to. Not a deal-breaker for most, I imagine, but some may be disappointed, so itâs worth highlighting.
Alongside the monitor and sleeve, inside the box I was pleased to find two USB-C to USB-C cables – one is for power-only, while the cable with an angled connector is for display – and a mini HDMI to HDMI cable. Pleasingly, each of these are braided in an on-brand gray with a velcro cable tidy, so should be more durable if youâre jamming them into your backpack for work.
Arzopa Z3FC: Performance
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However nice the Z3FC is to look at – and it is undeniably a good-looking portable display – the real test is how well it performs.
I started by hooking up this monitor to my beloved ThinkPad T14s. It all worked flawlessly, although depending on the laptop or computer you use, you may need to tweak some of the display settings, given the Z3FCâs 2.5K resolution and 144Hz refresh rate.
In any case, I had no issues here. Everything connected precisely as it should. Documents and images looked clear, text appeared crisp. Pairing the Z3FC with the usual suite of office apps for business use is simply ideal (and to prove it, I wrote this entire review using this second screen).
You can easily switch between landscape and portrait mode if youâre working in longer windows. This was how I generally tested the monitor, flipping it to portrait mode to save me tabbing between different windows while working, taking calls, and generally staying productive. If this is your main use-case, I found that workflow a treat.
The only problem I had here – and this is most definitely a âme issueâ – was switching between the 16:10 aspect ratio of the laptop screen and the 16:9 ratio of the portable monitor display. But I adjusted to this relatively quickly.
At 107% sRGB, color coverage limits its use for creative professionals. Sure, itâs fine as a second monitor for creating digital images, or for working on assets on the go – itâs so lightweight that it positively demands that sort of use. However, youâll want to use a proper color-accurate display for higher-resolution workloads and finalizing any finished products.
Next, I wanted to test out its gaming prowess. The Z3FC boasts a 120Hz refresh rate using HDMI (and 144Hz via DP). And while I donât have frame-rate tracking software here, I do have a 120Hz TV to compare results.
I connected it to a Nintendo Switch, an Xbox Series X, and the Nintendo Switch 2. If it can handle gaming alongside office tasks, Iâm thinking, then we could be looking at a new entry in my guide to the best portable monitors.
But first, a note: Since the Z3FC has no built-in battery, youâll need to plug the USB-C power cable into an outlet or use a power bank. I just hooked up an Anker Zolo into the second USB-C port and that worked fine.
I began this part of the test with the original Switch. This worked instantly, as expected – the Switch is a joy for this. Itâs very playable, if a little blurry due to the Switchâs hardware limitations.
This was the first time I got to hear the monitorâs built-in speakers. And, do you know what? Theyâre surprisingly good. Theyâll never beat proper external speakers or a pair of headphones, and they can be harsh at louder volumes, but they have more depth than some Iâve used.
Next, I moved on to the Nintendo Switch 2. Here, things are a bit trickier – and thatâs down to Nintendo, not Arzopa. To play, youâll need to dock the console, connect via HDMI, and add your own external power supply. With that set-up, gaming proved straightforward. And yes, to my eye, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond ran at 120Hz in performance mode. So, thatâs a win.
What wasnât a win, though, was just how washed-out the HDR is here. No amount of adjustment would change that, and I recommend switching it off entirely here.
Lastly, as a completionist, I tried the Xbox Series X. With HDR-compatible games, I experienced none of the problems I did on the Switch 2. Everything worked just as it should.
So, yes, as a portable monitor ready to split its time for professional and personal use, it largely delivers on its promise. Not the best for gaming by any stretch, but more than capable.
Finally a quick word about the OSD. Thereâs a dedicated button to bring this up, and while itâs pretty intuitive to use, it still feels a little clunky navigating the menus. The OSD button acts as enter/confirm, the volume rockers for selecting options, while a quick press of the power button takes you back a step. Itâs not what Iâd call a hardship, but itâs not the quickest set-up when diving through all the menus.
Should I buy the Should I buy the Arzopa Z3FC?
Buy it if…
â You travel a lot: One of the reasons I love this screen is just how lightweight it is, considering it’s a 16-inch display. If you’re using it for business travel or playing games on the go, I can’t fault it.
â You want to use your screen for work and play: I used the Z3FC throughout the working day and it made a real difference to my workflow. Then, after clocking off, I could set up my Switch downstairs and play there. The 144Hz/120Hz refresh rate is a great bonus.
Don’t buy it if…
â You’re a professional content creator: While I found it suitable for editing images for use online, if your work demands pure color accuracy, this display doesn’t fit the bill, covering just 107% sRGB.
â You don’t have a nearby power source: There’s no built in battery here, which keeps things lightweight and costs lower, but does mean you’ll need to hook it up to the mains or use a power bank to use it with consoles and mobile devices.
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