The good news is that portable monitors have dropped a lot in price, and today we can get 1080p units for 75 euros (or less). The bad news is that their availability isn't always consistent in some regions, and there's never a shortage of users looking for more compact models than usual. So why not follow the DIY route? Instructables user Tjiani Lucht explains their process for building a 5-inch portable monitor with 480p resolution, and the possibility of adding speakers to the setup.
A quick search on Amazon confirms that many 1080p portable monitors range between 75 and 125 euros. However, in that same list I didn't find anything below 14 inches, a size appropriate for most users, but not comfortable in all cases. Sometimes all we need is to load a prompt on a server, or access the settings of a Raspberry Pi (or other similar device) that runs headless 24/7. If you prefer a more compact solution, say 5 inches, maybe you want to build it yourself, and it's not as complicated as you might think.
Build your own portable mini monitor
Tjiani Lucht published on Instructables a quick guide that includes files to 3D-print the monitor frame, and of course, a complete list of materials. Their design is based on a 5-inch panel with a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels (without touch support), and a TFP401 controller, both sold by Adafruit. It also includes a USB audio card, a small amplifier, and two speakers, but that aspect is optional, and can be set aside if the idea is to simplify the project.
In short, the interface is HDMI, its power is micro USB, and in case you install the audio circuit, you'll need a USB Type-C cable. The rest is a matter of printing the case, either with your own equipment or by hiring a service. The model is available in SLDPRT, STL, and STEP, so nothing stops us from modifying it to our liking.
Official site: Click here
