In today’s fast-paced digital environment, maximizing productivity is a key concern for remote workers, people who frequently travel for business, travel bloggers, and digital nomads alike.
Xebec caught my attention as a brand that made it a mission to tackle just this!
Specifically, Xebec Tri-Screen 2 aims to enhance efficiency without sacrificing portability. With this compact device, I discovered that it was possible to expand my single laptop screen into a triple-screen workstation — a feature that promises to revolutionize the way we manage multitasking and complex projects on the go.
Being a GOOD remote work requires tools that not only complement, but elevate my workflow. The Xebec Tri-Screen 2 intrigued me as a tool that could potentially triple my productivity!
But does it ACTUALLY hold up to what it promises? Here’s my honest review of the Tri-Screen 2. Read on to see what I loved about the product, what I didn’t love, and everything in between.
This post may contain affiliate links. You won’t be paying a cent more, but in the event of a sale, the small affiliate commission I receive will help keep this blog running/pumping out useful and free content. Thanks a lot!
Table of Contents
About The Brand: Xebec
The Tri-Screen 2 is the brainchild of a group of guys who were tired of being tied down to a desk. The entire Xebec brand was founded with a mission to break the chains of the typical office grind and let people work from literally anywhere.
They’re all about the “Free Yourself” movement — where you take control of your own life. Instead of letting your work schedule dictate your life, YOU get to call the shots. Whether you’re working from a cozy coffee shop or your favorite vacation spot, Xebec wants to make sure you’ve got the gear to #FreeYourself!
Imagine being able to take a super long ski trip and not missing a single work beat. That’s the kind of freedom these guys were after. In 2019, they launched the OG Tri-Screen, introducing the world to the concept of Flexible Work. And people loved it!
Since then, they’ve developed a bunch of other products that aim to allow travelers to work from anywhere!
Xebec Tri-Screen 2 Review: Pros and Cons
PROS
- Great for people who are used to working on multiple screens at home or in the office.
- Compatible with ALL operating systems (Mac, Windows, Linux, Chrome, etc.)
- The built-in extendable kickstand is a great feature for laptops screens that aren’t meant to hold extra weight (like Macbooks)
- It fits easily into a backpack and can be set up in under a minute.
- Screen resolution is sharp and has multiple resolution capabilities.
- Great for minimalists who don’t want a desktop monitor at home.
- Comes with a 1 year warranty.
CONS
- The screens are 10.1 inches, which are too small to be useful on my 16-inch Macbook Pro.
- You need to plug both screens in individually, leading to lots of extra wires if you have an external mouse / docking station too.
- Kickstand feature doesn’t work in all situations, such as when laptop is elevated on a laptop stand.
- The screens’ sliding in/out mechanism can be improved to be more smooth.
- Product doesn’t come with a protective case.
How It Works: Xebec Tri-Screen 2
Setup and Usability
Installation Process
I begin by attaching the device to the back of my laptop; this process is quite intuitive. It involves sliding the screens onto either side of my laptop’s display and securing them. Cables are then connected based on the type of ports available on my laptop.
Depending on the type of laptop you have, you may need to download a driver to get the second monitor to work. In the case of my 2021 MacBook Pro, I did have to download the DisplayLink Manager driver.
Once the driver is installed and the DisplayLink Manager program opened, the second monitor should work like a charm!
I also had a Tri-Screen Adapter, which I used to power the second monitor. I found it to be far more compact than the original cables provided.
Here’s what my setup ended up looking like on my 16-inch MacBook.
Compatibility With Different Laptops
The Xebec Tri-Screen 2 accommodates a variety of laptops sizes, thanks to its adjustable “stretchy” ability, which is a great feature to have for people who want to:
- use the Tri-Screen on multiple laptops they own
- share the Tri-Screen with someone else
Whether I’m attached it to my travel-friendly MacBook Air or my more robust MacBook Pro 16-inch laptop (which is my main laptop for home use), the screen fit was snug and secure.
For connectivity, it has both USB-C and mini-HDMI abilities, ensuring that most modern laptops can be used, including the MacBook Pro.
Xebec Tri-Screen 2 Review: Features
What it does: The Tri-Screen 2 converts any laptop into 3 screens. It doesn’t matter what laptop you have, the Tri-Screen is set up to plug and play into whatever laptop you have.
At a high level, here’s what you can expect from the Tri-Screen 2:
- Works on Any Laptop – their patented universal attachment makes it simple to attach to any laptop without magnets or adhesives. Click here to see if you need the Tri-Screen Adapter.
- Boost in Productivity – Multiple screens are proven to increase productivity.
- Instant Setup & No Installation – Get up and running in less than 15 seconds.
- Extremely Compact for Maximum Portability – So slim it can stay on your laptop even when you aren’t using it.
- Lightweight (2 Pounds) – It weighs less than half of a standard laptop, so it will never weigh you down.
- Kickstand Support – For laptops that aren’t designed with extra screens in mind, the extendable kickstand is there to support the extra screen weight.
- Compatible with Every Laptop OS – Compatible with Mac, Windows, Linux, Chrome, etc. (Not ideal for use with tablet PCs with ports on the edges of the screen)
Display Quality
First off, let’s touch on screen sizes. The two monitors that make up the Xebec Tri-Screen 2 are 10.1 inches diagonally.
The dual monitor system attached to the Xebec Tri-Screen 2 offers a commendable resolution of 1920×1200, which aligns with most modern displays, offering a crisp, clear image. The aspect ratio stands at an impressive 16:10, providing a broader view compared to the traditional 16:9.
Brightness levels on each screen are pretty strong, making the screens usable even in well-lit environments — even the outdoors.
Having used it myself, I can attest to the display quality of the screen. It’s never going to look like your built-in screen, but it suffices for tasks like Netflix binging, email, chat, etc.
Because of how clear and bright everything is, I can actually focus on tasks rather than struggling to see or feeling frustrated with blurriness.
Moreover, the screens offer a 60Hz refresh rate, which is more than enough for general work tasks and contributes to a smooth visual experience.
Adjustability
One of the noteworthy features of the Tri-Screen 2 is its ease of adjustability. Screens are designed to slide and lock into place, which I found to be super straightforward and intuitive. I didn’t even have to use the user manual to figure it out.
The screen angles are adjustable and allow me to angle the screens to my preference, effectively reducing glare and reflections.
Having said that, the screens only adjust in/out. You cannot tilt them up and down — to do that, you would have to tilt the entire setup from the hinge of your laptop.
The other thing you can do is adjust color, brightness, contrast, and all that jazz. I like to alternate between “Warm” and “User” depending on what task I’m working on.
Productivity Boost
When it comes to actually using the screen for enhancing productivity, the addition of two screens essentially transforms my laptop into a triple-screen setup.
This feature unleashes a new productivity beast in me! Similar to how many offices have screens set up, I’m now able to have multiple applications side by side without the need to alt-tab constantly.
It’s particularly helpful when I’m dealing with:
- packed calendar days with important meetings
- incoming emails that I need to keep an eye on
- lots of Google Chat or Slack messages
- tutorials where I need to try out a tool for myself while watching a YouTube video
- simultaneously managing communication and research.
Xebec Tri-Screen 2 Review: What I Liked
Super easy to set up
Once I got my initial setup complete (which includes a one-time driver install, figuring out where all the wires go, and adjusting the Display Settings of my MacBook), getting set up on subsequent uses is super straightforward.
On my second and third use, I found the Xebec Tri-Screen 2 to be a true plug-and-play product.
Every time I plugged the screens in (and activated the DisplayLink program), the screens light up immediately, allowing me to get right to work.
And with USB-A to USB-C as well as HDMI to USB-C cables included, people with varying laptop types are not left searching for ways to connect.
Because of how easy it is to set up every time, I’m happy to say that Xebec has built a powerful product while keeping in mind the nomadic lifestyle of its users, offering a product that adapts to the needs of a mobile office… without the need of any IT knowledge at all!
Its appeal lies not just in the added screen real estate, but also in the fact that there is no steep learning curve or cumbersome installation process. THANK GOSH.
Portability and Weight
The Xebec Tri-Screen 2 is designed with portability in mind, striking an effective balance between extending display real estate and maintaining a compact and lightweight form factor.
Sure, it’s not the lightest accessory on the market, but considering it adds two screens to my workstation, the increase in weight is reasonable and justifiable.
What enhances its portable nature is the folding mechanism, which allows it to collapse down neatly, making it relatively easy to pack and transport alongside my laptop.
Given that I tend to travel with a backpack and a carry-on suitcase only, an extra weight of 2 pounds can be a lot. Having said that, this is not something that I’ll be taking with me on weekend trips where I just need my laptop for random internet browsing / watching Netflix.
However, it IS super useful for my extended trips where working and blogging is required of me. In these cases, an extra two pounds is nothing and completely worth the effort of packing and carrying the extra weight!
Lots of connectivity options
When I say that the Xebec team really thought of all types of travelers with all types of laptops, I mean it! The Tri-Screen can connect to so many types of laptops!
This device is equipped with a variety of ports and boasts an efficient system for powering both the screens and the laptop.
There were so many wires that came with the screens, which totally confused me at first. But after I realized it was so that the Tri-Screen would be compatible with other types of laptops, it all made sense.
The Xebec Tri-Screen 2 offers multiple port options that cater to diverse connectivity needs. Got a USB-C input? No prob. Got mini-HDMI ports? You’re covered, too!
Not sure what the difference is?
- USB-C: For modern laptops and devices, facilitating quick data transfer and connectivity.
- Mini-HDMI: A compact alternative to standard HDMI, allowing for video output to the additional screens.
Pass-Through Charging Capabilities
An impressive feature of the Xebec Tri-Screen 2 is its pass-through charging ability. I found this to be highly convenient as it allows me to charge my laptop via the Tri-Screen itself.
This is really helpful for people like me who can’t mentally focus when there’s too much clutter — wire clutter included!
Being able to charge my laptop without having to plug another cord into my laptop means less energy focused on clutter and MORE energy towards actually working.
The setup works as follows:
- Charger: Connects to the Tri-Screen.
- Pass-Through to Laptop: The Tri-Screen channels power directly to the laptop, reducing the need for additional cables.
Xebec Tri-Screen 2 Review: What I Didn’t Like
There were a lot of things I liked about the Tri-Screen 2, but there were also some other things that didn’t work out as nicely as I’d expected after trying it out.
Screen size is too small for larger laptops
One downside that I experienced with the Xebec Tri-Screen 2 is the limited screen size of 10.1 inches.
You may not have the same feeling as me, so this is totally YMMV — but I felt that the screen size may be a bit TOO small when used with larger laptops.
At only 10.1 inches each, attaching the Tri-Screen to a laptop with a 16-inch or larger primary display could result in a mismatched setup. With one 16-inch screen and two 10.1-inch secondary displays, it didn’t provide as seamless of an experience as I would have liked.
The two smaller screens were fine for auxiliary tasks like viewing YouTube videos, calendars, chatting on Slack / Google Chat / etc., or emails, but when given a choice between doing active work on a larger, main screen vs. the smaller screens, I chose the main screen every time.
I really wish Xebec had a Tri-Screen product that was the same size as their SoloScreen (which is over 15 inches)!
Kickstand doesn’t work in all situations
Ergonomics are super important to me, especially since I’ve gotten older and even had a carpal tunnel syndrome scare in my wrists last year.
Whenever I’m on my laptop for over 2 hours at a time, I like to set myself up with proper ergonomics, which means placing my laptop on a laptop stand so I can stare at my screen at eye level (as opposed to having my neck extended so I can look down).
The Tri-Screen 2 design incorporates a thoughtful kickstand that works to maintain stability — when there’s a surface (like a table) for the kickstand to stand up against.
Sadly, it doesn’t work when my laptop is suspended in the air sitting on my laptop stand.
The screen on my MacBook is not hefty enough to hold up an extra two screens, which causes the screen to tilt due to all the extra weight.
Having said that, when I’m NOT using my laptop stand (when the laptop is placed on a desk directly), the Xebec Tri-Screen 2 remains secure due to the kickstand having a place to stand on to minimize wobble or movement.
You can end up with lots of wires everywhere
If you’re someone who uses a keyboard, mouse, external hard drive, etc. when working and traveling, you may run into a situation where you’re knee-deep in wires everywhere!
The Tri-Screen 2 requires two USB-C ports, so I personally found myself with one final USB-C port left. Just enough to make my setup work! Luckily, I have a docking station that allows me to plug a bunch of other things into it to get devices to work with my laptop.
If you didn’t own a docking station, you could very easily end up with a lack of holes to plug your devices into.
Just to give you a sense of my final setup with the Tri-Screen + everything I typically use when I work, we have:
- Tri-Screen 2 with Tri-Screen adapter: plugged into 2 USB-C ports
- Docking station: plugged into 1 USB-C port
- Laptop charger (white cord plugged into docking station)
- Mouse (USB-A, plugged into docking station)
Here’s a photo of what my travel setup would look like:
Final Thoughts
In a nutshell: I love the Xebec Tri-Screen 2 for my MacBook Air, but not so much for my MacBook Pro.
Portability is crucial for those of us who work remotely, and conventional multi-monitor setups are not exactly travel-friendly. I found that the Xebec Tri-Screen 2 addresses this issue with a design that’s both lightweight and user-friendly, making it an ideal companion for professionals who frequently change work locations.
It’s a great product — if you currently have issues with your existing setup. Here’s what I mean by that.
The Tri-Screen 2 is great for smaller laptops
Ultimately, I really like my Xebec Tri-Screen 2 … for certain uses.
I don’t really love it for my MacBook Pro 16-inch, mainly because the stark difference in screen sizes is too jarring (16-inch vs. 10.1-inch screens). When I was deciding to buy a new MacBook Pro, I decided to buy the largest screen size possible so that I WOULDN’T require additional screens to achieve a high level of productivity.
Can I say the same about my MacBook Air (the one I use mainly for travel)? Heck no. The screen size on my MacBook Air is smaller than what I’d like when it comes to a laptop screen, but it does mean less weight when I travel.
In the case of the MacBook Air, I love using the Xebec Tri-Screen 2!
It’s also great for remote work when traveling
After my weeklong trip to NYC (where I did end up doing a few days of work), I found that the Xebec Tri-Screen 2 significantly enhances productivity for remote work.
Despite having to lug around an extra 2 pounds, its portability allows me to turn any space into a multi-monitor workstation, whether I’m in a café or at an airport. I also love that it folds up and fits so easily into a backpack and can be set up in under a minute.
At home though, I’ve found the Xebec Tri-Screen 2 to be less useful, simply because I have an actual monitor with a 27-inch screen size that I can plug right into.
But for travel? It’s amazing! I’m able to expand my digital workspace, perfect when I’m juggling multiple projects, emails, and websites at one time.
And since it’s designed to work from anywhere, I can simulate my home office setup anywhere in the world.
Ultimately, I think the Tri-Screen 2 is for you if:
- you struggle with multitasking on a dinky laptop screen
- you travel a lot and plan to work on a good majority of those days
- you tend to have a lot of windows open and have to alternate between them a lot
If you have a larger laptop screen (such as a 16-incher like I have) where multitasking is less of an issue for you, I’d recommend a Xebec product that has a larger screen, like the SoloScreen.
The SoloScreen comes with just ONE screen, but I feel that the larger screen size would result in a more seamless work experience.
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