Lead
The Arovia Splay, a crowdfunded device first backed in 2021, attempts to combine a collapsible fabric monitor with an ultra-short-throw projector. In hands-on testing it costs $1,300, folds into a 4×4‑inch, 2.5‑pound package and expands into either a 24.5‑ or 34.5‑inch monitor or an 80‑inch projected image. As a monitor it struggles with text clarity and low pixel density; as a projector it removes many common setup headaches for pico projectors and can reach a claimed 285 lumens.
Key takeaways
- The Splay is a hybrid device that functions as a collapsible monitor (24.5″ or 34.5″) and an ultra‑short‑throw projector capable of projecting up to 80″ diagonally.
- Manufacturer specs list a monitor brightness up to 760 nits and projector brightness up to 285 lumens; those figures are manufacturer claims, not independent lab measurements.
- Physical dimensions: folds into a 4×4‑inch case and weighs 2.5 pounds; when opened the back protrudes roughly 19–21 inches and the control area extends about 6.25 inches.
- Display resolution is equivalent to 1920×1080; the 24.5″ configuration yields about 89.9 pixels per inch, contributing to soft text rendering and visible fabric texture.
- Connectivity includes HDMI (or HDMI via adapter) and USB‑C power; a small tabletop tripod is included and recommended for stable positioning.
- Price at launch is $1,300; the product is currently sold out but a company representative indicated an upcoming restock window.
- Design tradeoffs: very portable when collapsed but bulky and awkward to maneuver when fully extended, limiting typical portable‑monitor use cases.
Background
The Splay was crowdfunded in 2021 and marketed by Arovia as a novel, fully collapsible monitor‑plus‑projector. Its core idea is to build the projection surface into the device itself so users don’t need a separate screen or a large blank wall to get a rectangular, usable image. That concept responds to long‑standing projector pain points: projectors normally need dark rooms, ample throw distance or careful placement and an external screen for best results.
Portable monitors and pico projectors have trended in different directions: portable monitors prioritize pixel density and desk ergonomics, while pico projectors prioritize compactness and battery operation. The Splay deliberately blurs those categories, aiming to serve mobile workspaces, coaches, analysts at events, and consumers who want a multi‑mode display that travels. Arovia has promoted enterprise and B2B deployments — notably trade shows and field video review — alongside consumer messaging.
Main event
Physically, the Splay uses a fabric/shroud mechanism with springy arms that collapse into a compact case measuring roughly 4×4 inches and totaling 2.5 pounds. Expanding the device produces a mostly fabric front surface with four supporting arms; the housing contains controls (power, sharpness, brightness) and integrated speakers. Review setup required care to avoid stressing the fabric and benefit from the included small tripod for height and tilt adjustments.
In monitor mode the Splay connects via HDMI (or an adapter) and can be powered via USB‑C, which allows operation without a wall outlet in many cases. But the extended form factor is bulky: the back of the display protrudes about 19–21 inches from the front plane, and the control block runs about 6.25 inches deep, making it less convenient than conventional portable monitors for lap or café use. Despite low weight, users may be reluctant to repack and move the Splay between rooms frequently.
Image quality as a flat monitor is serviceable for video and secondary tasks: the manufacturer lists up to 760 nits of brightness and colors are acceptable in bright rooms, though overall saturation and contrast trail good LCD or OLED displays. Text is notably soft: at 1920×1080 on a 24.5″ surface the pixel density is approximately 89.9 PPI, and the fabric reveals a subtle texture that becomes visible on close inspection.
As a projector the Splay reveals its strongest value proposition. Unzipping the fabric shroud converts the unit into an ultra‑short‑throw pico projector with automatic keystone correction and an integrated screen, which lets it produce a rectangular image even in cluttered or compact spaces. Arovia claims the projector can reach 285 lumens and project up to an 80″ diagonal image, which makes the Splay useful where conventional projectors would be impractical.
Analysis & implications
The Splay’s hybrid approach exposes inevitable tradeoffs between image fidelity and portability. For users who prioritize crisp text and color accuracy — software developers, editors, or anyone doing fine typography work — a traditional 24″ portable monitor with higher pixel density will generally be the better choice. The Splay’s fabric surface and projection optics simply can’t match the sharpness of glass‑based LCD or OLED panels at the same price point.
Conversely, the Splay addresses a persistent usability gap for projectors: the need for a receptive physical environment. By bundling its own display surface, the device reduces setup friction and expands where projection is viable, especially in tight or cluttered rooms. That could broaden projector adoption for casual viewing, outdoor movie nights, or field uses like coaching and event analysis.
Commercially, the Splay looks positioned toward niche enterprise and professional users as much as consumers. At $1,300 the unit is not an impulse purchase; Arovia’s marketing emphasis on trade shows and sports analysts suggests the company expects B2B uptake where a portable, self‑contained large display is valuable. For mainstream buyers seeking a portable secondary monitor or a high‑quality desktop display, competing products may offer better price‑to‑performance.
Longer term, the Splay is a proof of concept: if fabric display surfaces and collapsible mechanics mature, we could see a new product category that sits between tablets, portable monitors, and pico projectors. Improvements in projection contrast, a tighter fabric weave or different optical coatings, and higher native pixel density would be needed to make that category broadly competitive with conventional monitors.
Comparison & data
| Metric | Splay (24.5″ mode) | Typical 24″ Portable Monitor | Pico Projector (compact) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1920×1080 (≈89.9 PPI) | 1920×1080–2560×1440 (≈90–120+ PPI) | Variable (low PPI on large screens) |
| Brightness (manufacturer) | 760 nits (display), 285 lumens (projector) | 300–500 nits (typical) | 50–300 lumens |
| Weight (folded) | 2.5 lb | ~1–2.5 lb | 0.5–2.0 lb |
| Max screen/projected size | 24.5″/34.5″ or 80″ projected | ~24–27″ | up to 100″ (dim), typically 40–80″ |
| Price | $1,300 | $150–$500+ | $100–$800+ |
The table shows the Splay sits between categories: it offers projector reach few portable monitors can, but it lags conventional monitors on pixel density and text clarity. Manufacturer brightness claims (760 nits / 285 lumens) are useful benchmarks but should be treated cautiously until independent lab verification is available.
Reactions & quotes
“It will be restocked this month,” a company representative told the reviewer when asked about availability, underscoring ongoing supply constraints.
Arovia representative (company statement)
“The Splay is a subpar ‘portable monitor’ but its projector mode removes many of the usual setup headaches,” the reviewer summarized after hands‑on testing.
Scharon Harding, Ars Technica (review)
Unconfirmed
- Manufacturer brightness figures (760 nits for monitor mode, 285 lumens for projector mode) have not been independently lab‑verified in this hands‑on review.
- The exact restock date and quantity are based on a company representative’s statement and remain subject to change.
- Long‑term durability of the fabric surface and collapsible arms under repeated field use has not been established from short‑term testing.
Bottom line
The Splay is a carefully engineered compromise: it sacrifices monitor‑class sharpness and fit‑and‑finish to deliver a truly portable, self‑contained projection option. For anyone whose primary need is crisp text and prolonged desktop work, conventional portable monitors or full‑size displays remain preferable.
But for users who value a large image in awkward or crowded spaces — coaches, event teams, outdoor viewers or professionals who need a quick, self‑contained display — the Splay’s integrated screen and ultra‑short‑throw projector mode make it uniquely useful. Whether that niche justifies a $1,300 price will depend on buyer priorities and whether future iterations improve resolution and fabric uniformity.