Nanovision Mimo UM-740 review

Eagle-eyed readers may recognise this 7in USB display from last month, although this is a different model to the UM-710.

The design is boxier, and while the screen has the same 7in diagonal and 800x480 resolution, the UM-740 is a touch screen and has a webcam and microphone built in.

The touch screen may not be a particularly useful addition for many people, but it clearly adds to the price. It also means the whole screen has a grainy look, which the UM-710 didn't have. More frustrating is that the stand isn't sturdy enough to prevent the entire assembly wobbling when you touch the screen with a fingertip.

The screen takes power over the USB connection, which is convenient, but there are the same limitations on what can be displayed, as the video signal doesn't come from your PC or laptop's graphics card.

In addition to the USB cable, you get a twin mini-jack cable for the built-in headphone socket and microphone, which means there's more cable mess on your desk. However, the built-in webcam is handy, especially as you can use the screen to show the video feed of the person you're chatting with. The webcam is fixed and can't be rotated, though, so you can only use it when the screen is in landscape mode, not portrait. Likewise, you can't angle the camera to point at you without altering the tilt angle of the screen.

Despite the graininess, image quality is a bit better than on the UM-710. Colours were generally accurate, and contrast and viewing angles were acceptable. The problem is the price: £150 is simply too much money for a screen of this size, even considering the touch screen, webcam and USB connection.

Author: Jim Martin