LG’s StanbyME Go is easily the most Inspector Gadget-capable product I’ve ever reviewed. It’s a 27-inch touchscreen TV built into (and protected by) a large military-grade briefcase, with an integrated sound system, HDMI connectivity, and the same webOS software that runs on the company’s regular TVs.
In theory, you can take it anywhere, but the 28-pound StanbyME Go is far from a light loader, and calling it very portable is a stretch. No problem for road trips, but I’ve never been brave enough to take this thing on a plane.First of all, I don’t want to accept TSA’s response to what this looks like Mission impossible pillar. But regardless, the briefcase is too wide to meet most airline carry-on requirements.
But it’s… it’s unique. That’s what resonated with me over the past few months while testing the horribly named StanbyME Go. You can take this briefcase to TV tailgating; you can take it camping; and if you’re traveling somewhere, it can be a mobile entertainment and gaming solution for yourself or your kids. I have friends who say they would use something like this in place of a projector in a room where it’s not popular. That excitement tends to wane when it comes time to lift it.
Aside from weight, the biggest downside to the StanbyME Go is that LG sells it for $1,200 and, ultimately, it’s a pretty unimpressive 27-inch LCD panel. It’s a 1080p screen with average viewing angles and a peak brightness of 500 nits. This is more than adequate for indoor viewing, and I also found that it’s adequate for most outdoor use as long as you’re not in direct sunlight. (The display’s anti-reflective coating plays a big role here.) But if you’re judging this thing based solely on the display specs, paying $1,200 is crazy. I really like the 4K OLED version of the StanbyME Go, although that might push the price up to $2,000. The unique nature of this product is essentially part of the reason why it’s more expensive than many people think.
Claimed Dolby Vision HDR support is laughable given the limited brightness of this display. The same goes for the four-channel “Dolby Atmos” speaker system, although I was surprised at how full it was since the audio comes from drivers unconventionally built into the side of the briefcase.Despite the location of the speakers behind When the screen is raised, the sound remains clear. Just don’t expect too much immersion or surround sound skills here. If you need more punch while tailgating, you can always pair a large Bluetooth speaker.
To see any value in StanbyME Go, you must try And appreciate the sum of its parts. The regular screen is attached to a very sturdy articulating arm, allowing the monitor to be used in three different ways. It can lay flat to play touchscreen games like chess or play music through your phone’s speakers. Pull the screen up and you can position it in landscape or portrait orientation; the latter might be useful if you want to mirror your phone and scroll through your TikTok feed, or want to give a presentation on the go. I rarely care about vertical mode, but its versatility is nice.
StanbyME Go is so smart that it automatically turns off the display and cuts off power whenever the briefcase is locked. The hard case is very sturdy—LG claims it has passed 11 different durability tests—and while I’ve never intentionally tried to put LG’s review unit through my own rigorous testing, in my weeks of testing it We did experience some collisions and even had some issues. Drops slightly when case is open with screen facing up. It got through it all without any issues. But the ruggedness only goes so far. The StanbyME Go doesn’t offer any waterproofing, so be careful if you’re using it poolside or lakeside while camping. That’s a big difference between a TV that can be used outdoors and a true “outdoor TV” that can withstand the elements and be bright enough to withstand the sun — and costs more than the StanbyME Go Much more.
There’s a dedicated remote control holder inside the box, and if you remove it, there’s a section underneath to store the power cord when not needed. The power input is covered by a protective cover, and there’s also a protective HDMI/eARC port, a USB-A port (for media on an external drive), and a switch that turns off the battery to preserve charge when you’re not using it. Use the TV for a while. LG says the StanbyME Go has an average battery life of about 3 hours. In my experience, you can get an extra hour of use if you activate webOS’s power-saving features, but these features usually come at the expense of brightness, which isn’t all that impressive to begin with.
actually use This briefcase TV is similar to LG’s other models. All standard picture and sound modes are present. But most LG TVs don’t have touch screens. Don’t have a remote control handy? You can navigate using smartphone-like gestures: swipe up from the bottom of the screen to return to the home screen, or swipe down from the top to quickly access brightness and volume controls.
LG includes some very simple games like the aforementioned chess and bar games like Photo Hunt. But the novelty wears off quickly, so you’ll need to plug in your console to experience the real thing.Of course, this means you need to provide strength As with any HDMI device you use, this can be tricky when traveling (especially outdoors). In these situations, a portable power station will be very convenient.
All the popular streaming apps are available in the LG Store, but if you want to watch them in your cabin or tent while camping, you’ll find yourself constantly tethered to your phone for an internet connection.
I have a soft spot in my heart for weird gadgets, but these are rarely seen these days. Most big tech brands err on the side of caution and only release products with mainstream appeal.From this perspective, I commend LG for doing more than just small Different but off the beaten track. If the StanbyME Go were a few hundred dollars cheaper, I could recommend it for reasons other than uniqueness. It’s heavy but well thought out. It’s an eye-catching piece of equipment that will make people ask questions every time they see you using it.
But the TV in this briefcase is only average–not even worth mentioning when you consider the price. I hope the StanbyME Go doesn’t seem so niche that LG never tries it again.Because the first try is unique and usually easy pleasure. But at $1,200, the simple reality is that until LG figures out the right formula (and price), most people will be better off with a more traditional tablet or portable monitor.
Photography: Chris Welch/The Verge