Don't you just hate it when people flip pages ahead when you're making a print-based presentation? No doubt, they were the same people who, as kids, opened their presents before Christmas. An LCD projector can ensure that your audience will not be tempted to be so impulsive.

Advances in LCD projector technology make them a purchase worth considering. First and foremost, they are lighter. Some LCD projectors now weigh as little as 3 pounds, making them truly portable for business travel. Images are brighter and sharper than ever. And to top it off, prices have dropped. You can now find a reasonable basic model for under a few thousand dollars.

Start your search for an LCD projector by looking for one that has a built-in, also known as "native," resolution that matches the computers that will be used most frequently with the projector. In most cases, you will want a projector that has a native SVGA (800x600), XGA (1024x768) or SXGA (1280x1024) resolution. While projectors are capable of supporting multiple resolutions, as are notebook computers, images will appear most clearly when the projector and the computer equipment share the same native resolution.

Keep in mind that cloning occurs extensively in this industry. This means that a production company will manufacture the same model for multiple distributors to market and sell. Rather than getting caught up in finding the cheapest available version of a given model, focus on the warranty, service and support provided with the various models. Savings of a few hundred dollars may not be worth as much as having access to support features like next-day replacement or an additional year of warranty coverage.

If you will be presenting video often, take a look at Digital Light Processing, or DLP, projectors. These devices project images using a different technology than typical LCD projectors. This technology involves projecting images using hundreds of thousands of micro-mirrors. One result of this design is that images are smoother, making video appear more natural-looking. But DLP projectors do tend to require stronger light to project images with similar color intensity to LCD projectors; this will add to the price tag.

The good news is that prices are, on the whole, much more reasonable these days. You can expect to pay $2500 for a basic SVGA model with few frills. Businesses that primarily show Microsoft Powerpoint presentations should find this to be adequate for their needs. Add a couple thousand dollars to your budget and most LCD projectors, including those that support higher resolutions, can be considered for purchase. Top-of-the line projectors that offer the highest brightness levels and support the biggest resolutions can still cost tens of thousands of dollars, though.

Having every one on the same page is one of the keys to a successful presentation. An LCD projector can help accomplish this goal.