When LG introduced the original StanbyME a few years ago, I wasn’t entirely sure what to make of it. A television on wheels sounded like the sort of thing destined to become a CES curiosity that people talked about for a week and then forgot existed.
Clearly, I underestimated the appeal.
Now LG is back with the StanbyME 2 Max, a larger and more ambitious version of the concept featuring a 32-inch 4K touchscreen and a price tag of $1,299.99.
The idea remains simple enough. Instead of mounting a television to a wall and leaving it there forever, the StanbyME 2 Max is designed to move around your home as your day changes. Watch a movie in the living room, roll it into the kitchen to follow a recipe, move it to the bedroom for late-night streaming, or use it during a workout session.
Unlike a traditional television, the display can detach from its stand and run on battery power for up to 4.5 hours before needing a recharge.
LG isn’t positioning the StanbyME 2 Max as just another screen either. Running webOS, it offers access to streaming apps and more than 400 free LG Channels without requiring an external streaming device. HDMI and USB ports allow users to connect laptops, gaming consoles, and other hardware when needed.
Under the hood, LG includes its Alpha 8 AI Processor Gen3, which automatically adjusts picture and audio settings based on content and room conditions. Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support are included, with side-firing speakers handling audio duties.
The touchscreen functionality also opens the door to uses beyond simply watching television. LG includes built-in games such as chess and memory challenges, while the Let’s Draw feature turns the display into a giant digital sketchpad.
Personally, I still struggle a bit with the idea of spending nearly $1,300 on a movable screen when many households already have tablets, laptops, and televisions scattered throughout the home. An iPad and an inexpensive TV can accomplish many of the same tasks for less money.
At the same time, I can understand the appeal.
There is something undeniably attractive about the idea of having one premium display that simply follows you wherever you happen to be spending time. For apartment dwellers, smaller homes, or people who frequently move from room to room during the day, the concept makes more sense than it initially appears.
Whether that convenience is worth $1,299.99 will likely determine whether the StanbyME 2 Max becomes a breakout product or remains a niche curiosity.
Either way, LG deserves some credit for continuing to experiment in a product category where most televisions still look and function exactly as they did a decade ago.
The LG StanbyME 2 Max is available for preorder now directly from LG for $1,299.99.
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