TECHNOLOGY TRENDS: POCKET PROJECTORS THAT WORK WONDERS

Weighing just 1.5 pounds and using L.E.D.s that last about 10,000 hours, Samsung's Pocket Imager SP-P310MEMX is an example of the latest in projector technology. "Pocket projectors" cast a smaller image than the usual arc-lamp projectors but are perfect for giving presentations outside of conference rooms (as long as there is a nearby wall available) and prove much more effective than three or four people huddling around a laptop screen to see PowerPoint slides.

Should you want to use the pocket projector for movie watching or gaming, the image--though smaller--appears just as crisp as those cast from full-size projectors, according to the experience of Annie Eisenberg of the New York Times. In addition, the L.E.D.s require no cooling fan so less background noise is created by the projector itself.

For sales people who must travel with their own projectors capable of generating a larger image for larger audiences, the great news is that projectors in general are decreasing in size while image quality continues to rise.

The newest lightweight projectors are under 4 pounds and use arc-bulbs that can last up to 2,000 hours. The NEC Corporation, for example, offers the NP60, which puts out a 100-inch diagonal image that is clearly visible even when all of the lights in the room are on.

For more information on the latest products and pricing for portable projectors, go to The Little Projectors That Pack A Punch.