Viewsonic M2e portable projector review: 100-inch screen in tiny box
Typically when someone says projector, the first image that comes to mind is a conference room or some office space. While that has been their primary use case, they have been vying for a spot in your living room for the past few years as an entertainment device. Their ability to project a large screen or simply turn your wall into one hasn't been lost on anyone. Price, minimum distance, size and weight of the projector itself have served as a deterrent over the years. Popular display and projector brand, Viewsonic has attempted to address all these issues in one of their recent offerings, the M2e portable LED projector. Unlike the projectors you are used to seeing in conference rooms, this one is not just compact but portable too and can project a 100-inch screen from fairly close quarters. On top of that, it runs Android and boasts a built-in Harman Kardon sound system. Here's everything you need to know about it.
Surprisingly compact and portable with wide range of connectivity options
The Viewsonic M2e happens to be one of the most compact Full-HD projectors I have come across. It is squarish in shape, measuring just 18.4cm in length and breadth and 5.4cm in height. The top of the projector has a white glossy finish while the rest of the body has a metallic gray matte finish, or meteor gray as the company likes to call it. The edges are nicely rounded and the product looks classy. It weighs about a kilo and can easily be tossed in a bag and carried around. In fact, the company bundles a carry pouch too. Alternatively, there's a stepless stand at the base of the projector which is used to adjust the angle of projection, but one can also use it as a handle to carry this device around. If you wish to place it on a tripod or mount it, the connection points are present at the base of the projector. All the necessary cables are present in the package. Despite being a compact device, the company hasn't skimped on connectivity options. You get an HDMI 1.4 port to plug in your laptop, gaming console or even streaming devices like an Amazon Fire TV stick or Mi TV Stick or Chromecast. Then there's a USB-C port that again can be used to connect modern laptops that can output audio/video signals through the port or simply connect a power source through it. While the Viewsonic M2e has built-in speakers, you can also connect this projector to external speakers or a soundbar using the analog audio output. One can even connect wireless headphones/earphones/speakers using Bluetooth. The Bluetooth version here is 4.2, and I wish the company had opted for version 5.0 at least. Lastly, you also get a USB-A port that can deliver 5V/2A output and a MicroSD card slot too.
Full-HD resolution, automatic adjustments, works with a powerbank too
By now you know that the Viewsonic M2e is a portable projector, and one thing that helps in keeping its weight down is the light source. The company has used LEDs here that can produce 1,000 lumens of brightness and have a rated lifespan of up to 30,000 hours. Due to the use of LEDs, the heat generated is a lot less as compared to a traditional lamp, and as a result, the operating temperature is a lot lower-another big plus. The M2e can display a peak resolution of 1920x1080 with support for over a billion color shades. Image size can range between 24 to 100 inches depending on the distance between the projector and the screen. To project a 60-inch screen, you need a minimum distance of 1.6m, while it can go 100 inches from 2.7m away. These numbers are perfectly achievable in most living rooms, but of course, a 100-inch screen can feel overwhelming in a smaller room. You get automatic keystone and focus adjustments on this projector and they work well. You get manual adjustments too, but not many would bother with it. The Viewsonic M2e runs some form of Android with a custom skin on top. Apps for certain popular streaming services like Prime Video, Netflix and Spotify are preinstalled here along with a file manager and a Chrome browser. There's an Apps Center to download more apps after connecting to the dual-band Wi-Fi on offer. The device comes with 16GB of internal storage, of which over 9GB is available to store your files and apps. You will need an electrical socket to power this device, and the necessary cable is bundled. Having said that, one can also use a powerbank that supports 45W USB-PD output to get this projector up and running in case there isn't a power socket nearby. Talk about a truly portable projector.
Can project a 100-inch screen, but don't get too ambitious
During testing, we largely kept the projection distance between 1.6 to 2m, thus projecting a screen size between 60 to 75-inches. And that's where the sweet spot lies for this device. We did try going all the way up to 100-inches but the picture looks a tad dull. Let's not forget this is a Full-HD projector and not 4K. 100-inches may still work if you have a large house and the requisite viewing distance. I stay in Mumbai; the case is closed! One requirement that still hasn't changed for projectors is a dark room. While the M2e is perfectly usable in a dimly lit room, you get the best out of it in pitch dark, especially the contrast. During the day with curtains drawn, one can use the projector for presentations or casual viewing. For accurate colors and great contrast, night time is more suited. Unlike television, the picture is a lot easier on the eyes, and one doesn't need to worry about excess blue light either. The Viewsonic M2e comes with an IR remote control that lets you access different functions of the projector. While it is handy, controlling the playback can be painful. So despite the projector having native OTT apps, it is best to use a third-party video streamer and use its remote instead for your entertainment needs. One thing we thoroughly enjoyed about the M2e is its sound output; not something you expect from a projector. While the 6W output number may appear modest, Harman Kardon has done a fantastic job here. The output is reasonably loud, clear and tuned well for vocals. So any voice-heavy content sounds great on the built-in speakers, for instance, the dialogue clarity in videos. I did try using wireless headphones with the M2e but did not bother connecting it to a soundbar. I had a good time watching full movies and binging multiple episodes on the projector speakers.
A versatile alternative for a large-screen TV for work-and-play
The Viewsonic M2e portable LED projector is priced at Rs. 85,000 in India and comes with three years warranty. It is often spotted selling for Rs. 78,000 on Amazon India. We wouldn't call it inexpensive by any stretch but the pricing is reasonable for what it offers and it is still cheaper than a 100-inch TV. You get a Full-HD projector that can project anything between a 60-inch to 100-inch screen from 1.6 to 2.7 meters with automatic focus and keystone adjustments. There is a good variety of inputs to connect multiple devices to it. Add to that high-quality sound from Harman Kardon and the compact footprint that makes it truly portable. We wouldn't term it as a replacement for a TV at home just yet, but this is one device that gives you the flexibility of carrying a large-screen TV in a small bag wherever you go. Imagine using it for work during the day and then taking it along to a friend's place to watch a cricket or football match on a large screen. Sounds like fun, doesn't it? Rating: 4/5
