Ultra-portable LCD projector?

[Guest]

[sandydlc]

Does anyone know of a decent ultra-portable projector?  Specifically I would love to find one that is small enough to fit in a messenger bag to take along with my OQO when I travel.  It wouldn't need to project very far - just enough to do a one-on-one presentation with a small group.

I've been searching but I'm coming up with a lot of products that are soon to be on the market or ridiculously expensive.

Here is an interesting option:

http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/02/18/samsung-shows-off-m310-ultra-mobile-pocket-imager-projector/  ...but I can't find any purchase information.

Of course it would be ideal if it matched with my OQO but I suppose that's asking too much!

Thanks!

Sandy

[alee]

You want the Dell M109S:
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/products/Projectors/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&cs=19&sku=224-0939

Here's a quick video overview of it:
http://www.popularmechanics.com/blogs/technology_news/4284495.html

Mid-way through the video, you'll see how small it is.

[sandydlc]

That looks very cool!!  Before I saw your post I found this one:

http://www.3mmpro.com/default.aspx

I'm sure that the Dell has better specs, but this one is truly micro!  And at 1280 x 768 the resolution isn't too shabby.

Thanks for the Dell link!  If I order either or both for testing, I'll be sure to report back to the group.

Sandy

[charlieboy]

Sandy

I just love that 3m projector. I really want to buy one but in the UK it is like $500 and I really have no use for it. But it is just so great, I am in love with yet another gadget. I really need help.

I already have: 2x OQO, 2x lenovo thinkpads, 8 core mac pro, media centre PC, Macbook (black) media streaming Pc home made, Asterix (linux server) ...................... Not to mention a recording studio seyt up in my bedroom. I need help.............. Got to stay away from tech forums.............

I need a therapy program. In fact I might be the only person here secretly hoping the OQO 03 does not appear till the credit crunch is lookin less worrying.

[stuartguthrie]

That looks very cool!!  Before I saw your post I found this one:

http://www.3mmpro.com/default.aspx

I'm sure that the Dell has better specs, but this one is truly micro!  And at 1280 x 768 the resolution isn't too shabby.

Thanks for the Dell link!  If I order either or both for testing, I'll be sure to report back to the group.

Sandy

Wow! That looks so cool!!! I have no need for one but I want one anyway - lol.

Stu

[sandydlc]

Sandy

I just love that 3m projector. I really want to buy one but in the UK it is like $500 and I really have no use for it. But it is just so great, I am in love with yet another gadget. I really need help.

I already have: 2x OQO, 2x lenovo thinkpads, 8 core mac pro, media centre PC, Macbook (black) media streaming Pc home made, Asterix (linux server) ...................... Not to mention a recording studio seyt up in my bedroom. I need help.............. Got to stay away from tech forums.............

I need a therapy program. In fact I might be the only person here secretly hoping the OQO 03 does not appear till the credit crunch is lookin less worrying.

Well I hate to tell you that I broke down and ordered it.  I'm heading to LA for a meeting with a client next week and it would be great if it arrives before I leave but I don't think that will happen.

I think we're all collectively tech crazy.  That's why we own OQO's!  My husband also owns a lot of music equipment and software for music production yet he's not in a band and most likely nobody but the family will ever hear his music.  However I'm supportive of the fact that he enjoys it so much and it's a great creative outlet for him (he's a software/database developer). 

I guess I consider my gadget obsession as a hobby.  I really enjoy learning new things and keeping up with technology - and being a woman in a male dominated field gives me a certain sense of satisfaction.

When the 3m arrives, I'll post my review.  As an obsessed geek, I'm still eying that Dell and trying to figure out how to justify it!

Sandy

[alee]

Would be interested to hear your review.  I read that the output was only 640x480 (although it accepted higher resolutions).

[charlieboy]

Sandy

The 3m is the way to go. I am doin g a few projects with Night club DJs and this will definately find a place somehow. I am thinking bundled with an oqo on some sort of motorised base and the OqO sending changing images to the 3m. the whole thing can then be remotely controlled by wifi.

[Optiglow]

Alee,

from the tech specs from the website, it appears that 3M MPro110 has multiple display options:  VGA, SVGA, XGA and WXGA (1280 x 768).  It seems that Dell and 3M leapfrogged other manufacturers.  Microvision appears to be suggesting a 2009 1st Qtr release of their PICO projector.  I think that we should have a plethora of PICO projectors to choose from in the near future.

Sandy,
I would be very interested in seeing your review of the MPro110 (and any other geek gadgets that may come into your possession).  I'm in the market for a micro projector and have been waiting with abated breath for one which will deliver as promised. 

[stuartguthrie]

Sandy

The 3m is the way to go. I am doin g a few projects with Night club DJs and this will definately find a place somehow. I am thinking bundled with an oqo on some sort of motorised base and the OqO sending changing images to the 3m. the whole thing can then be remotely controlled by wifi.

You always seem to come up with the coolest ideas Charlieboy. 

Stu

[alee]

from the tech specs from the website, it appears that 3M MPro110 has multiple display options:  VGA, SVGA, XGA and WXGA (1280 x 768).  It seems that Dell and 3M leapfrogged other manufacturers.  Microvision appears to be suggesting a 2009 1st Qtr release of their PICO projector.  I think that we should have a plethora of PICO projectors to choose from in the near future.

Both are a fixed resolution projectors... 640x480 is the native resolution of the 3M.  High resolutions would be scaled down to 640x480.  The Dell has an unusual 858x600 resolution (still trying to figure out where that odd resolution came from).

The 3M is definitely an exciting projector but from what I've read, it will fall short on sharpness.  The Dell is more of a traditional projector and looks to be ok on sharpness.  Both fall short on brightness (3M at 10 lumens, Dell at 50 lumens).

I think the pico projector market will become more exciting when they switch from LEDs to lasers. 

If I needed a portable projector today, I'd probably use the Dell 3400MP or an Infocus IN10.   I'd probably go with the Dell M109S if I needed something much smaller, but I'd really have to see how usable it was in practice.  The Dell 3400MP is very small already 8.0in x 6.0in x 2.9in for 1800 lumens.   The Dell 109S is 3.64in x 4.12in x 1.46in for 50 lumens, and the 3M Mpro110 is 4.5in x  2.0in x 0.9in for 10 lumens.  You would *really* need it to be tiny to give up 1700+ lumens for a pico projector.

Then again, look at how we ended up with our OQOs... if we went on specs alone, we'd still be dragging around 4lb laptops.

Maybe the 3M MPro110 will be the surprise of the year... I look forward to sandydlc's review.

[sandydlc]

My intention for the 3M is only for handling presentations with 5 or fewer people in a room when traveling.  I understand that the sharpness won't be ideal, however for the information we present, I usually use a fairly large font and very few graphics due to the nature of our work.  When I do show samples of our translations, they're typically enlarged to show the font detail anyway.

If we needed this projector for large groups or for an audience, I wouldn't be looking at the micro projectors at all.  Portability is critical for me (thus the OQO) and makes such a huge difference when getting through airport security.  I don't typically carry on my luggage and like to travel with just a messenger bag (I don't even bring a purse!).  If I had to go back to bringing a rolling carry-on just to accommodate my gear, I would really think twice about the gear I was packing along!  I really think the pico/micro projector market is geared towards people who travel and need to do impromptu presentations or to have a backup in case the projector at the client site is unavailable (it happens!).

I hope the 3M makes it before I leave for my trip this week but I doubt it will.  They gave me a ship date of 3/15 but only offered Ground shipping.  I leave on the 16th.   

You guys will be the first to hear my review!  If I get creative I might even do a YouTube video review, you never know.

[sandydlc]

Ooh - just got confirmation that the projector will be delivered soon!!  Gah!!  Can't wait!   

[charlieboy]

Ooh - just got confirmation that the projector will be delivered soon!!  Gah!!  Can't wait!  

Me too!!

[sandydlc]

Here is another option that is supposedly built on the 3M platform:  http://www.adapt-mobile.com/multimedia/detail.php?p_id=425