Sony VPL EX4

+ Easy to connect and operate

- Operating instructions on CD rather than printed.
Tight fit in carrying bag

+ Easy to set up... virtually plug in and go. Quiet when in use. For medium sized classroom light brightness is fine; I have yet to use the higher bulb rating. The bulb is guaranteed for nine months (so I was led to believe).

- The amp speaker in the projector seem little better that what my laptop creates. If sound is important I think you would require a seperate audio system.

+ It does what it claims to do. I needed a portable projector to take to different venues. It had to project photographs so it needed to be XGA but it needed to be cheap because frequency of use didn't warrant high expenditure. It is pretty much plug and play as far as my laptop is concerned but once I had to reboot the laptop to get the correct display so: was the problem with the laptop or the projector? The image was as bright as expected and is suitable for my needs. I would recommend this to someone with similar needs and a limited budget.

- Taking the projector to other venues does not allow me as much freedom to select the placement of the projector in relation to the screen so I find the 1.2x zoom lens is rather restrictive.