Unreleased - MiLi Pro portable projector for iPhone

Posted on August 12th, 2009

This looks like it will be a very strong contender for coolest portable projector, if it lives up to the hype (and the shininess of the mockups).
The MiLi Pro pocket projector is designed for use with the iPhone or iPod. As an aside, it can work as a docking station, with a micro USB port for charging and synching the phone. The main feature, however, is the micro projector.

It can project up to 40 inches of 640×480 high resolution images on any handy wall. And it does not tie you to your iphone. It has inputs for VGA and RCA so is also a useful mobile projector for use with a laptop or DVD player.

The one feature I am sceptical about is the touch screen. If used with the iPhone, that means that all control has to be done by interacting with the iPhone/projector unit. This could be annoying in a group if you don’t want to move the projector, or if it is in an inaccessible place.

No price yet - but it is due to be released in September so shouldn’t be long now.

For more info see the review at technabob or the product page at PhoneSuit

Filed under future, iphone, laptop | No Comments »

Projectors for laptops

Posted on March 9th, 2009

It is surely only a matter of time before someone produces a laptop with a projector built in, but until then, what should you be looking for in a portable projector that you intend to use with a laptop?

Video Inputs

PC

Most Windows-based laptops will have a VGA output that can be used with an external monitor or traditional projector. Some micro projectors support that same format, and come supplied with a cable to do the job. The 3M Mpro110 is an example of a projector that supports VGA, whereas the Optoma PK101 supports only composite video. This is not a deal-breaker - you can buy a VGA to composite adaptor for a few dollars - but it is a disadvantage.

Mac

If you have a Mac, chances are that is has a DVI or mini-DV port for external video. To get VGA output from it, you will need a mini-DV to VGA adaptor. This may have come with the Mac. Alternatively you could get a mini-DV or DVI to composite video adaptor, and that increases your choice of micro projector. Be careful when buying one of these adaptors - they are very hardware-specific, so get the right adaptor for your machine.

Resolution

Some of today’s micro-projectors can display at 640×480, but some can handle downscaling the input to this resolution. Again, the 3M MPro110 handles this well. Others will refuse to display any input that comes in at hight than 640×480. The higher the resolution, the better the projector is likely to be at handling what your laptop can throw at it. Note, however, that none of the currently-available micro projectors are capable of displaying at a typical laptop resolution, so expect to have to scroll to see those complicated spreadsheets.

If it’s entertainment that you are after, then you could look at a widescreen projector like the Aiptek T10. This doesn’t seem to be available in the USA any more, but something will come along and take its place soon, I’m sure.

Audio

Most micro projectors come equipped with a speaker but it is likely that your laptop speaker will be superior, so there’s nothing to worry about there.

Extras

Some micro projectors (such as the Aiptek V10) include an SD slot so that you can load your media on there and dispense with the laptop altogether.

Filed under laptop | No Comments »