Head to head
ViewSonic VA1655 vs LG gram +view 16MR70 (2026)
ViewSonic VA1655 vs LG gram +view: HDMI flexibility and value against a large colour-accurate panel.
#5 in our rankings · Best connectivity
ViewSonic VA1655
Best for: Buyers who connect more than a laptop: consoles, cameras, and older machines included.
#7 in our rankings · Best large screen
LG gram +view 16MR70
Best for: Designers and LG gram owners who want a second screen as good as the laptop's own.
Our recommendation
Buy the VA1655 if HDMI devices and value lead the decision. Buy the gram +view 16MR70 if colour accuracy and a large 16:10 workspace lead it. They serve different buyers: one is a flexible all-rounder, the other is a designer's portable.
Inputs
The VA1655 has mini HDMI plus USB-C, so consoles, cameras, and older laptops connect directly. The gram +view is USB-C only, which suits modern laptops but excludes HDMI devices without an adapter. Input breadth is the VA1655's clearest win.
Panel quality
The gram +view offers 2560 x 1600 resolution with 99 percent DCI-P3 coverage on a 16 inch 16:10 panel, which is a genuine step up for design work. The VA1655 is a solid 1080p office panel that cannot match it for colour or detail, though it costs far less.
Portability
Surprisingly, the larger gram +view is the lighter screen at 1.47 lb against the VA1655's under 2 lb, thanks to its thin construction. The VA1655's protective cover is more rugged for rough bags, while the gram +view folio is sleeker but less armoured.
Choose ViewSonic VA1655 if…
- You connect consoles or cameras
- Value matters more than colour accuracy
- You want a rugged cover included
Choose LG gram +view 16MR70 if…
- Colour accuracy is part of your work
- You want the largest portable workspace
- Your laptop is USB-C only anyway
Spec-by-spec comparison
| Spec | ViewSonic VA1655 | LG gram +view 16MR70 |
|---|---|---|
| Price tier | Mid-range | Premium |
| Panel | 15.6 inch IPS, 1920 x 1080, 60 Hz | 16 inch IPS, 2560 x 1600 (WQXGA), 16:10 |
| Response time | 7 ms | 30 ms per Amazon listing |
| Connectivity | Mini HDMI, USB-C with 60 W two-way power | 2 x USB-C |
| Weight | Under 0.9 kg (under 2 lb) | 0.67 kg (1.47 lb) |
| Warranty | 3 years per ViewSonic | - |
| Colour | - | DCI-P3 99 percent (typical) per LG |
| Best for | Buyers who connect more than a laptop: consoles, cameras, and older machines included. | Designers and LG gram owners who want a second screen as good as the laptop's own. |
| Skip if | You only ever use USB-C and want the lightest panel available. | You travel ultralight, or your budget stops at 1080p screens. |
Strengths and limitations
ViewSonic VA1655
Strengths
- Mini HDMI alongside USB-C opens the monitor to games consoles, cameras, and laptops whose USB-C ports lack video output, which is the main weakness of USB-C-only rivals.
- The same 60 W two-way USB-C power as the VG1655 keeps charging simple at a desk or on the move.
- Under 2 lb with a protective cover included, it travels well for a 15.6 inch screen.
Limitations
- 1080p resolution again limits detailed creative work.
- Mini HDMI needs a cable or adapter that full-size HDMI devices do not include.
- No built-in battery, so it depends on the host device or a charger.
LG gram +view 16MR70
Strengths
- A 16 inch 2560 x 1600 panel with 99 percent DCI-P3 coverage (typical) gives designers a portable screen they can actually trust for colour work.
- The folio cover doubles as a stand with two angles, 105 and 120 degrees, and protects the panel in a bag without a separate case.
- At 1.47 lb it is remarkably light for a 16 inch screen, so the larger size costs little in bag weight.
Limitations
- Amazon lists a 30 ms response time, which is slow for fast gaming even though it is fine for design and office work.
- USB-C only, so non-video USB-C laptops and HDMI devices need adapters.
- Premium pricing reflects the panel quality, not extra inputs.
How they fit the wider field
- ViewSonic VA1655: ranked #5 (Best connectivity) in The Best Portable Monitors.
- LG gram +view 16MR70: ranked #7 (Best large screen) in The Best Portable Monitors.
Neither one quite right? The full rankings cover 10 picks matched to different buyers.
Questions, answered
Can the gram +view connect to a console?
Only with a USB-C video adapter, since it has no HDMI input. The VA1655 connects directly over mini HDMI.
Which is better for spreadsheets?
The gram +view, thanks to its taller 16:10 panel and higher resolution, which show more rows and sharper text. The VA1655 is adequate but not special for documents.