BenQ PB2240 review

For the business person on the move, there are two key factors that influence their decision of which portable projector to buy: weight and brightness.

The two are often linked, with lighter projectors lacking the brightness necessary to deal with lit rooms. This is a potential problem, as a presenter on the move is not in a position to choose the meeting room that's used.

The idea behind the PB2240 is to provide enough lumens to operate in a bright meeting room without weighing down the presenter excessively. Providing an impressive 2,000 lumens, the PB2240 definitely succeeds in image brightness.

The high-resolution 1,024x768 DLP uses a native 4:3 image ratio and is ideal for presentations with its 2,000:1 contrast ratio. Image quality is easily capable of dealing with the presentations it was built for, and some video use too. Our standard greyscale gradient and colour wheel tests were displayed competently, and both showed smooth transitions.

The zoom and focus controls are recessed on the top of the body as usual. They both feel solid without being stiff and are easy to adjust. Admittedly, the lens and zoom don't provide the biggest image that we've seen - offering a 2.67m diagonal image at a 3.5m distance - but they are still sufficient.

The unit feels well built with a solid plastic casing. It is very compact at only 238x86x180mm and weighs under 2kg. There are two IR inputs for the credit card-sized remote, though precise aiming is required to get a response from them. The top of the unit has full controls on it as well, with the menu system proving easy to navigate with all the usual controls. Inputs are limited to VGA, S-video and composite.

Lamp life is respectable for this brightness at 2,000 hours. Replacements cost around £250, which equates to 12.5p an hour. There is a 3,000-hour economy mode too, at a reduced brightness. The PB2240 provides lots of power for the presenter on the move, at a very reasonable price.

Author: Seth Barton