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Buying Guide: The 10 Best Projectors for Computers
Using a projector with a computer has the advantage of larger image size than you'd get with a comparably priced display. As projectors improve in brightness, resolution, image quality, and versatility, they're becoming indispensible for many professionals, teachers, and consumers for work and play. Although most work with other data and video sources and some can run from USB keys, memory cards, or internal memory, many offer multiple ways of connecting with desktop or laptop PCs (and yes, Macs are PCs): VGA (often with component video), HDMI, DVI-I, and/or USB.
Classroom and conference room projectors such as the NEC NP-M260W and NEC NP-P350W offer a variety of connectivity methods for computers and other data sources; many offer multiple VGA inputs for hookup to more than one computer. These models are primarily data projectors, though many can do justice to videos as well.
The Epson PowerLite 1880 MultiMedia Projector offers exceptionally high brightness (4,000 lumens) while maintaining a measure of portability. The Optoma TW610ST and NEC NP-M300WS are short-throw models, letting you position the projector very near the screen, while the ultra-short-throw Hitachi CP-A221N throws a large image from just inches away.
The Canon REALiS SX80 Mark II is good for venues such as art history classes, museums, photography studios, and art galleries where the need to display accurate color is a priority. It can connect with a computer via HDMI, VGA, or DVI-I and has SXGA+ (1,400 by 1,050) native resolution.
The Epson EX7210 Multimedia Projector provides USB Plug 'n Play for easy connectivity with a computer over a USB cable, and is easily portable at 5.1 pounds. The NEC NP64 is small, bright, and even more portable, weighing just 3.7 pounds. Either is a good companion for a laptop on a business trip.
If gaming is your thing, there's even a projector for that. The Optoma GT750e offers two HDMI ports and a VGA connector that can double for component video, and supports both 2D and 3D gaming.
A projector for your computer offers a large-screen experience for running presentations, showing movies or photos, or playing games. Here are our favorite PC-friendly projectors.
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Canon REALiS SX80 Mark II
$3,999 direct
The Canon REALiS SX80 Mark II offers unusually fine control over color settings, making it of particular interest for applications where it's important to get colors right. Read the full review ››
Epson EX7210 Multimedia Projector
$649 direct
The Epson EX7210 Multimedia Projector is a lightweight data projector with a solid of set of features and ports, and so-so data image quality. Read the full review ››
Epson PowerLite 1880 MultiMedia Projector
$1,399 direct
With its 4,000 lumen rating, the Epson PowerLite 1880 MultiMedia Projector can throw images big enough for a large conference room and bright enough to stand up to ambient light. Read the full review ››
Hitachi CP-A221N
$1,300 street
The Hitachi CP-A221N projector delivers high-quality data images and better than par video, plus an ultra-short throw that gives you big images at just inches away from the screen. Read the full review ››
NEC NP-M260W
$850 street
The NEC NP-M260W is a WXGA data projector that makes up for its relatively low brightness with a raft of connectivity options plus great data image and video quality. Read the full review ››
NEC NP-M300WS
$1,099 direct
The NEC Display Solutions NP-M300WS offers a 3,000 lumen rating and a short-throw lens so you can project a big, bright image from close to the screen. Read the full review ››
NEC NP-P350W
$1,800 street
The NP-P350W from NEC Display Solutions of America is a WXGA (1,280 by 800) projector with good image quality and a wealth of connectivity choices. Read the full review ››
NEC NP64
$1,099 direct
The NP64 from NEC Display Solutions of America is an impressively capable XGA (1,024 by 768) data projector, highly portable, and surprisingly bright for its small size. Read the full review ››
Optoma GT750E
$800 street
Optoma's latest game projector, the GT750E offers a short throw, bright image, good quality audio, and 3D support for both DLP-Link and RF glasses. Read the full review ››
Optoma TW610ST
$1,000 street
The Optoma TW610ST data projector offers a bright, high-quality image plus a short-throw lens that lets you throw a big, bright image from a short distance. Read the full review ››