Blog - The DSM Group

Best Portable Projectors for Under $500 - Mac & PC

Written by Katelyn Schweighardt | 12:20 PM on October 10, 2013

 

Just as computers are important in running a business, so are projectors. Projectors are available in different sizes, shapes and specifications but how can you find one that best suits you and your company?

The best projectors should have a balance of performance and value if you want to have an enjoyable viewing experience. They should have excellent resolution and should produce a stunning performance with high-definition material.

You don’t want to waste your money so it’s important to purchase value-oriented brands that sport great features. You have to look into the features and compare each brand and model. Here are the top five projectors that we believe will meet your needs and specifications all for less than $500!

The Best Mac and PC Projectors for Less Than $500

Picture is Courtesy of High Tech Review

ViewSonic PLED W200

The ViewSonic PLED W200 is a small and portable projector that weighs just under one pound and costs $500. It delivers incredibly sharp and vibrant images with LED light source technology. It also has more than 20,000 hours of lamp life while operating at a low power consumption. Its features include:

  • Multiple PC and Video Inputs
  • SD Slot for Computer-less Presentation
  • Integrated Speakers
  • 250 Lumen of Brightness
  • 3D Capable
  • Eco-Friendly

While the ViewSonic PLED W200 has many great features, there are a few things about the projector that we believe are important to know about before purchase. Some of the problems that have been reported follow:

  • Becomes a Fingerprint Magnet
  • Well-Lit Offices Could Make Projection Hard to See
  • Text Could Appear Blurry
  • Shows Scaling Artifacts (unwanted patterns)

All-in-all, these features make this projector one of the top five that we believe could be a great choice for you and your company now and in the long run.

BenQ MS517

The BenQ MS517 is in the running for being one of the top projectors for your business. With its eye-catching low price of $409, it offers 2800 lumen in its brightest mode. This projector has a long lamp life and a short throw lens which can bring up a 50 foot image from less than 8 feet away! The BenQ also has a clear menu system and control panel. It also features:

  • HDMI Ports
  • Composite Video and Audio
  • S-Video
  • Eco Friendly
  • 3D Capability

 

Picture is Courtesy of PCMag

Although the BenQ MS517 may be the ideal projector for you business, just like every piece of technology their are a few problem areas. Some of these problems include:

  • Flaws in Video Content
  • No Carrying Case
  • Feeble Audio
  • Noticeable Rainbow Artifacts (red-green-blue flashes against dark background)

Good or bad, the BenQ MS517 is one of the top projectors that can help achieve exactly what you're looking for.

Picture is Courtesy of Enaa

 

Optoma ML300

You can't go wrong with the Optoma ML300. This small and portable business projector, weighing 1.4 pounds, costs $500! It has excellent image quality with colors that are fully saturated in all brightness modes. All text is crisp and readable at small sizes, and it has a good range of connections. The Optoma has a seven button control panel with backlit blue LEDs and the projector runs computer free presentations from internal or external memory. Other features include:

  • Wi-Fi Display
  • HDMI
  • USB Display
  • Minimal Rainbow Effects
  • Audio-Out Jack for Headphones or Powered External Speakers

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While the Optoma ML300 is another great projector that can suit you and your companies needs, some of the problems that we feel need mentioning are:

  • Low Audio (2 Watt Speaker)
  • Tinting in Video Content
  • Awkward Menu System
  • Sub-par Text Quality
  • Scaling Artifacts in Data Images

Despite the negatives, all these features make the Optoma ML300 one of the top projectors recommended. This projector will surprise you and leave you one happy person!

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Epson EX3212

The Epson EX3212 SVGA 3LCD Projector just made your life that much easier! At only $400, this projector offers exceptional performance and versatility. It is light and portable and weighs just 5.1 pounds! It has 2800 lumens of color brightness, excellent data image quality and provides a soft carrying case with purchase. All text is crisp and easy to read while providing vibrant colors and good color balance. The Epson also features:

  • S-Video
  • HDMI
  • USB Ports
  • Excellent Audio
  • Great Attention to Detail

 

Picture is Courtesy of Epson

Although the Epson EX3212 is a highly recommended projector, there are a few problems that we believe are crucial to know. Some of these problems include:

  • No Optical Zoom
  • Low Volume
  • Lower Resolution
  • Few Connectors

This projector is one of the top projectors that can satisfy your needs for as low as $400!

Picture is Courtesy of Epson

Epson VS220

The Epson VS220 is a full-sized projector with a low price of just $400! It's perfect to use for presentations within your business. This small and portable projector, weighing 5.1 lbs., has digital zoom and manual focus. It has excellent data and video images with high-definition performances. This projector has 2700 lumen of color brightness with vibrant and saturated colors. Other features include:

  • USB Plugs
  • HDMI Ports
  • Clear Control Panel
  • Horizontal Easy Slide Image Correction

Some of the problems with the Epson VS220 include:

  • No 3D Material
  • Low Volume (1 Watt Speaker)
  • Hard to Read Print

We believe the Epson VS220 is one of the top projectors that could accommodate your business needs.

Final Thoughts

These top five projectors are your first step in amplifying your company. Make sure you take into account projector size, shape and specification to assure you've made the right choice for yourself and for your company! Want to recommend a different projector or can you offer more insight into one of the ones we listed? Let us know in the comments!

Picture is Courtesy of Rent Our Projectors