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NEC NP100

Discontinued
Reviewed
February 2009
by ConsumerSearch
NEC NP100

Pros
  • Value
  • Good brightness
  • Good portability
Cons
  • Low resolution
  • DLP rainbow effect is noticeable
  • Few features and extras
Where to Buy
 

The NEC NP100 trails lots of other portable business projectors in terms of features, but still packs a lot of value for the buyer on a budget. Native resolution is only SVGA (800 pixels by 600 pixels), which is fine for PowerPoint presentations and the like, but can be inadequate for displaying complex graphics or spreadsheets with lots of small type. On the plus side, brightness (rated at 2,000 lumens) and portability (the projector weighs 5.3 pounds) are good. Reviewers say the NP100 produces relatively sharp text (as long as type sizes aren't too small) and color graphics, and it offers some handy practical features like auto adjustment, digital zoom and keystone correction. However, DLP rainbows are particularly visible with the NEC NP100, and some basic niceties like a carrying case and a built-in pointer in the remote are missing. If you have a little bigger budget, the Dell 2400MP (Discontinued) has XGA resolution (1,024 pixels by 768 pixels) and is better able to handle more detailed graphics.

PC Magazine has the most comprehensive and in depth review of the NEC NP100. Conclusions are well detailed and backed by the results of bench testing. Laptop magazine's report is also well done, though a bit less detailed. PC World has a short and more subjective review of the NEC NP100.

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NEC 2000 Lumens 800 x 600 Resolution DLP Projector

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Our Sources

1. PCMag.com

PC Magazine only gives the NEC NP100 a middling rating since it's not feature-rich or particularly innovative. However, M. David Stone says that the projector "gets the basics right" at a great price for those on a budget. The magazine does note the projector's rainbow effect as a downside.

Review: NEC NP100 Review, M. David Stone, Aug. 25, 2008

2. Laptop Magazine

Laptop magazine grants Editors' Choice recognition to the NEC NP100, saying that it's not the first sub-$500 projector, but arguing that it is the most impressive. Rich Malloy says "with strong contrast, plenty of brightness, and a good picture, it's an excellent budget model." One downside noted was the NECNP100's long cool down time of two minutes.

Review: NEC NP100 Review, Richard Malloy, May 19, 2008

3. PC World

PC Magazine applauds the NEC NP100, citing a number of image quality tests in which the projector proved to display well rendered color graphics and sharp text. While some niceties -- such as an included carrying case -- are omitted, it's nevertheless concluded "the NP100 is a good bargain for a projector capable of displaying bright and attractive images."

Review: NEC NP100 Review, Richard Jantz, April 28, 2008

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