Planar Helium PCT2785 vs GeChic 1503i

The black levels are respectively low at 0.16cd/m², which helps the contrast ratio achieve 1100:1 which is much lower than the advertised 5000:1, but still quite good.

The response time is 12ms, which isn't lightning fast, but it's still quick enough to make the system feel more responsive than cheaper monitors. While not fast enough for high-level gaming, this monitor won't make your system feel slow or unresponsive.

It really does look like a massive tablet with a kickstand - but that's not a bad thing. There's no stand visible, leaving the front looking very clean. The stand can angle anywhere from 15-70 degrees which allows for flexible use, or it can be folded in and used flat on the desk or even mounted using the VESA mounting holes.

This monitor has many peripherals built-in, and unless you use them heavily they will do the job just fine. Unless you feel the need for dedicated hardware, the built-in stereo speakers work well enough, and the webcam and mic are acceptable quality for occasional recreational use (for business calls or other uses where quality is important, you'll want to upgrade to dedicated hardware).

The GeChic 1503i has no issues related to the responsiveness of its touchscreen, as the monitor uses a single, dedicated USB-A port to connect its touchpad to your computer. The port has enough bandwidth to support fast signal transfer.

After enabling the ‘HID multi-touch panels’ function, you can use this touchscreen monitor in your Raspberry Pi projects.

The GeChic 1503i doesn’t require any additional software or drivers to work with Windows 7, 8.1, or 10.

This monitor doesn’t need more than 10 W of electricity, which is outstanding because even the most energy-efficient desktop monitors on the market need at least 15-20 W of electricity to run.

The GeChic 1503i’s tiny footprint and low weight make it one of the most portable computer monitors available on the market. This 0.43” thick display weights less than 2.4 pounds.

In terms of picture quality, the GeChic 1503i performs much like a regular, mid-range laptop, without the actual computer. The monitor’s native contrast ratio and peak brightness are on par with what the average monitors in its price range offer.

The GeChic 1503i displays vivid, if somewhat flat, image. The colors are bright, vibrant and pop thanks to the monitor’s peak brightness of 300 nits. However, the blacks aren’t particularly deep. Dark scenes don't look too good as the monitor’s native contrast ratio of 700:1 just can’t push its blacks to enough intense levels.

Not only does the GeChic 1503i offers excellent touchscreen capabilities and high portability, its picture quality, ease of use, and overall energy efficiency are on par with what the majority of competitors in this price range offer.

The monitor has a pair of 1 W speakers.