Lcd Projector Buying Guide

Lcd Projector Buying Guide

Projector by Tom's Hardware

Notebook Buying Guides

Multimedia keys

Switches and buttons

Buttons are switches should be present for the most common functions such as launching your browser, opening the media player or even switching WLAN on and off. Convenience is the name of the game here.

Switches and buttons

Dedicated keys

Some notebooks will have dedicated keys for some applications; these are usually configurable using software.

Dedicated keys

Screen size

When you choose a notebook one of the first considerations is what screen size do you need. A bigger screen may seem like the obvious choice, but notebooks are supposed to be portable. Imagine the horror of lugging around a 17-inch laptop. However, there may be those who do not need to carry their notebook with them everywhere and for such people a large notebook is definitely better. Such large-screen, bulky notebooks are called desktop replacements; mainly because they sit still on your desktop. Such notebooks are usually of a screen size of 16-inches and above. 17-inch notebooks are the most common.

A screen size of 15.4-inches is considered a de facto size for notebooks although some people regard this size to be a little too large for enabling true portability. 14.1-inch notebooks are becoming the new de facto size category; striking a good balance between flexibility in performance and size and weight.

The compact segment (aside from netbooks) is generally the hottest category because such notebooks bring extreme portability along with good performance. Notebooks with screen sizes of 11.1-inches, 12.1-inches and 13.3-inches are the most common ones. Generally, the smaller the screen gets, the costlier the notebook tends to become since shrinking of size means more attention to other factors such as heat dissipation and actual fitment of components.

Screen Size

Extending battery life

A few notebooks have a dedicated switch for switching between an integrated video solution and the discrete graphics solution. Since an onboard solution will consume one fifth the power this is handy when operating on battery juice.

Battery

Storage

Notebooks do not use the same hard drives that desktop PCs use. A smaller form factor, i.e. 2.5-inches, is prevalent. Notebook hard drives also come with different spindle speeds; faster speeds mean better performance at the cost of extra heat generation and more importantly possibly lower battery life. The three common speeds are 4,200 rpm, 5,400 rpm and 7,200 rpm. Stay away from 4,200 rpm drives; these are a little too slow for most users. 5,400 rpm is what you should look at; remember that 7,200 rpm drives are better, albeit costlier, and some very compact notebooks cannot utilize these hard drives for fear of overheating.

The Solid State Drive (SSD) is a relatively new technology that has first found its way into the notebook space. The biggest advantage with SSD is the lack of any moving parts; this allows SSDs to enjoy very low power consumption and yet have higher performance than any normal hard disk drive. In fact, the read and write speeds of SSDs are three times higher than the fastest HDDs around - a very solid performance increment. The only downside with SSD is that it is a new technology and is very costly. Data density is also not as high as HDDs. The highest capacity SSDs are in the region of 250 GB; these cost fifty times more than a hard drive of the same capacity. However, smaller capacities like 32 GB and 64 GB are a little more affordable and if you want extreme performance and better battery life then you may opt for an SSD storage based notebook. Many manufacturers are offering such drives as optional upgrades on various notebooks.

When it comes to storage there is no optimum figure although 160 GB is a good place to start. Real data hogs may need to invest in a 320 GB hard drive. Opt for a SATA drive if your notebook supports it; Serial ATA is a faster interface. Most notebooks today feature SATA connectivity.

Storage

USB Ports

USB ports are important for all notebook users. Although you may initially feel that a couple of USB ports are more than enough, a couple of days of use may change your opinion forever. There may be a case where a user may need to simultaneously connect four USB devices such as a USB mouse, printer, thumb drive and their PDA; this means that four USB ports would be required. We figure most regular users will need at least two ports; so given future expansion three ports would be just right.

Almost all notebooks come with memory card readers inbuilt; this is a real boon for anyone looking to hook up their memory cards directly to the notebook as it frees up one USB port. Users wanting to back up a lot of data fast may want to look at a faster alternative to USB; many notebooks come with FireWire ports and although rare, Laptops with E-SATA connects are also available.

USB Ports

Video Connectivity

A notebook will always have some form of video connectivity; depending on your usage this may not be a factor or it may significantly the buying decision. A D-Sub port is usually de facto for connection to a larger monitor. With large screen LCD monitors becoming common we figure DVI is one connector your notebook ought to have; this is because many of the newer LCD monitors do not have D-Sub connectors at all. Either of these connectors can also be used with a projector; this is useful for presentations. HDMI connectivity is also a huge plus since this allows direct connection with large LCD and plasma panels and is important if you wish your notebook to double as an HTPC.

SONY XL-2400 Lamp Replacement Video/Guide

Vivitek D825MS 2600 Lumen SVGA DLP Projector
List Price: ~~$499.99~~
Sale Price: $349.99
You save: $150.00 (30%)

Eligible for free shipping!
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Description

The Vivitek D825MS SVGA 800x600 projector is the perfect solution if you want a true multi-purpose projector for use in the office, school and home. The 2,600 lumen image brightness coupled with Texas Instruments DLP technology, VividWheel color wheel technology for outstanding color quality and 2200:1 contrast ratio create a truly impressive image. The D825MS has VGA, composite video RCA, S-Video, mini Jack and RS-232 inputs for a variety of projection sources. Weighing in at a mere 5.7 lbs, this projector can be easily transported from one meeting to another, or school to home. The D825MS is easy on your wallet, with an economical 4,000 lamp life, you won't have the extra burden of frequently replacing the lamp. Projector ships with a CD user manual, VGA-to-VGA Cable, AC Power cord, Remote control with battery, carrying case and warranty card.

Amazon.com Product Description The highly portable and high-performance Vivitek D825MS Projector offers several performance features that make it ideal for business, education, and other professional organizations. Thanks to BrilliantColor technology and a light output of 2600 lumens, the D825MX lets you project an SVGA image with beautiful image quality and accurate color reproduction as small as two feet and as large as 20.5 feet. DLP and BrilliantColor technology gives you a beautiful picture. The small D825MS can project an image up to 246 inches large. View larger. Connect S-Video, Composite Video, and RGB HD15 inputs to the D825MS. View larger. Compact Design and Features for Convenient Portability The D825MS is designed to meet the needs of mobile professionals who require a compact projector with high-performance features. It measures a compact 11 x 8 x 3.5 inches and weighs just 5.7 pounds, so you can easily tote the projector along to your latest business meeting. The projector also has a fast startup, so you don't need to wait for it to warm up, as well as a fast power down, so you can pick it up and move on to your next meeting when you're done. Its compact size also makes for easy transportation and storage. A built-in Kensington security lock provides protection against theft, and a remote control is included for added convenience. DLP and BrilliantColor Technology for a Bright, Crisp Picture Don't let the small size fool you; the D825MS is built to perform. Utilizing Texas Instruments' DLP technology with BrilliantColor, the Vivitek D825MS provides a bright image with eye-popping colors. It offers 2600 ANSI lumens with a 2200:1 contrast ratio, so you'll be able to see small details in any lighting condition. The efficient lamp has a life of up to 4000 hours in Eco-Mode. The D825MS also features an integrated RS-232C port for remote control of your projector from a personal computer, enabling you to integrate it with third-party control systems for easy system administration. You can view your presentation and keep engaged with your audiences by attaching your personal computer to the projectors’ monitor loop ports. Quiet, Filter-Free Design Lowers Cost of Ownership Unlike some projectors that have a loud and distracting fan, the D825MS operates at a quiet 30 dB in eco-mode and 32 dB in standard mode. The projector also features a filter-free design, so you won't have to worry about clogged filters and removing dirt and dust, lowering your total cost of ownership and reducing maintenance fees. DLP and BrilliantColor Technology for a Bright, Crisp Picture Utilizing Texas Instruments' DLP technology with BrilliantColor, the Vivitek D825MS provides a bright image with eye-popping colors. It offers 2600 ANSI lumens with a 2200:1 contrast ratio, so you'll be able to see small details in any lighting condition. The lamp runs efficiently and has a life of up to 4000 hours in Eco-Mode. Create an Instant Home Theater Experience With a resolution of 800 x 600, the projector displays presentations and videos in great detail. It has a native 4:3 format and a compatibility mode for 16:9 video formats. The projector is compatible with 720p, 1080i (through RGB), NTSC/NTSC 4.43, PAL B/G/H/I/M/N 60, and SECAM. The D825MS features S-Video, Composite Video, and RGB HD15 inputs. It's compatible with VGA, SVGA, XGA, and SXGA. Digital keystone correction lets you adjust the image for any environment. Vivitek D825MS is backed by a three-year warranty for parts and labor, a one-year lamp warranty, and a five-year warranty on the DLP chip. What's in the Box Projector, power cord, VGA cable, remote control with batteries included, user manual CD, and carrying case.

Features

Compact SVGA DLP projector provides outstanding brightness and image quality
2600 ANSI lumens and a 2200:1 contrast ratio
Projects an image from 24.6 inches to 246 inches
Quiet design runs at just 30 dB
Backed by three-year warranty for parts and labor, one-year lamp warranty, and five-year warranty on DLP chip

InFocus X6 DLP Projector
List Price: ~~$599.99~~
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Description

Infocus X6 digital multimedia projectors - designed for collaborative environments, including the office, classroom, home theater or large-format public display. As an all take on affordable, high-quality digital projection the X6 feature advanced DLP technology in a compact size with an integrated audio system and secure installation options. For further simplicity, the multifunction remote control slides into the projector chassis for storage and transportation.The search for a steady-performing, reliable projector ends here and it is completely affordable. The X6 feature 2000 Max ANSI Lumens and an 1800:1 Contrast Patio which equates to bright images with lush color saturation and deep black levels, even in meeting spaces with present ambient light. The X6 utilize the latest BrilliantColor technology to output true-to-life colors and shades through a wide, short throw lens, providing big image flexibility to smaller rooms.Nearly all computers utilize a VGA output for monitors and projectors, so the X6 host VGA input for data presentations, along with S-video and composite video inputs for multimedia presentation material from a DVD player, camcorder or digital camera. These projectors offer onboard serial input for IT integration applications - providing full functionality with maximum flexibility at an affordable price. Also, the X6 beautifully project video content, so when business ends on Friday feel free to enjoy these projectors at home.The X6 is an ideal first step into digital projection. It features SVGA resolution, which is an outstanding introduction to digital projection. The X6 has impressive brightness and contrast and all the connectivity options necessary to be truly effective in every meeting.