Tell Me More: Choosing a laptop projector

The right laptop projector is one of the best tools for the modern salesperson. Lightweight laptop projectors keep lugging to a minimum while giving you the ability to give a polished, professional presentation. Here are the basics of what to look for in a laptop projector.

Laptop projector weight
The lightest laptop projectors from a year or two ago were lucky to get under five pounds. Now, the latest models come in under three pounds. When shopping, remember that the listed projector weight won't equal what you'll be carrying: ask about the total weight of the package, including the carrying case, cables, and other peripherals.

Also, while having a lightweight projector is important, don't get carried away. A difference of six ounces isn't likely to make a difference when you add the projector to your laptop, suitcase, and other materials, and you will pay a premium for the very smallest models.

Brightness and resolution for laptop projectors
In most cases, 1,000 to 2,000 lumens should be enough for an average on-the-road presentation, although larger conference rooms can need up to 4,000 lumens. The two most common resolutions for laptop projectors right now are SVGA (800x600) and XGA (1024x768). You won't need more than that - do make sure that your projector and your laptop both run the same resolution.