Classroom Projector Report: Acer Projectors Commentary
The Acer projectors we considered in this years Classroom Projector Report (the K330 and S5201M - click for full reviews) did not have any direct relatives, so we decided to look at the P series, which consists of the P3251, P5271, and P5271i projectors.
6/4/2012 - Art Feierman
Acer Projectors - A Quick Look
| Acer P3251 | Acer P5271 | Acer P5271i |
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What they all have in common: DLP technology, native XGA resolution 3700:1 contrast ratio, close captioning, remote mousing, 1 year P/L warranty, 3D ready |
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Acer P3251
As the comparison chart indicates above, the P3251 is a DLP projector with native XGA (1024x768) resolution (up to 1600x1200). It is incredibly portable, weighing in at just 2.7 lbs, but manages to still have good brightness despite its small size (2100 lumens). The P3251 also has a 3700:1 contrast ratio, which means that blacks are a little bit blacker relative to whites than would be a projector with a lower contrast ratio. The P3251has a 1.1:1 zoom ratio, which is pretty limited but typical of most DLP projectors like this one.
The P3251 lacks an HDMI input and a Monitor Out (VGA) output, which its siblings do offer. It also does not have network notification capabilies and does not provide for wireless networking. However, it does have close captioning and remote mousing capabilities. The P3251's lamp can last for 3500 hours in full power, and up to 5000 hours in eco-mode. It also has a 1W speaker, which is not really enough to provide any significant volume.
All in all, the P3251 is affordable and will get the job done! But if you'd like more connectivity, wireless networking and a slightly better picture, you might consider stepping up to the P5271 or P5271i (identical except that the latter has wireless networking and a few other features).
Acer P5271
Compared to the P3251 and the P2571i, the P5271 (click for specifications) is somewhere in between, though it bares more resemblance to its close sibling, the P5271i. What sets it apart from the P3251 above is:
The P5271 projector weighs more at 9 lbs., which is still portable enough to move from room to room but not as easy as the 2.7 lb. P3251. The P5271 offers more brightness (3100 lumens), and has a higher maximum resolution (1920x1080). The lamp life is 2500 hours at full power and 4000 in eco-mode.
Like the P3251, the P5271 lacks network notification and wireless networking, both of which its sibling, the P5271i, offers. However, it offers both HDMI and Monitor Out, plus a 2W speaker that handles at least a tiny bit more sound that the P2351's unimpressive 1W. The P5271 also has 1.6:1 zoom ratio (like the P5271i) and the same 1 year parts and labor warranty all three have.
It's bigger, it's brighter and it'll last you a bit longer before you need to change the lamp. But if you want networking, the last projector in the series is the one for you.
Acer P5271i
The most equipped of the three is the Acer P5271i (click for specifications). It is identical the the P5271 above in every regard, save for a few key differences:
The P5271i has network notification, so it'll inform you over the network when it needs maitenance. The P5271i also has wireless networking, which saves you the fuss of cables and wires all over your conference room when presenting. The one downgrade is lamp life - in both modes it will last a slight bit less long than the P5271.
If you want easy presenting in the boardroom, or maybe just want to stay on top of your projector maitenance in the classroom, the P5271i and its networking/notification capabilities are a nice touch.