The ViewSonic M1 Pro: A Portable Projector For Productivity and Entertainment On The Go, But At A Price
In a world where our screens are increasingly getting smaller, ViewSonic’s M1 Pro is a breath of fresh air. It’s a portable projector designed to offer a big-screen experience wherever you go, whether it’s for a business presentation or a movie night in a hotel room. With its lightweight design, built-in battery, and a range of features, the M1 Pro certainly has the potential to be the ultimate travel companion for those who value both productivity and entertainment. However, its hefty price tag compared to other portable projectors in the market begs the question: is it worth the investment?
ViewSonic M1 Pro: Design and Specifications
The M1 Pro is a significant upgrade over its predecessor, the ViewSonic M1, boasting a higher resolution, improved speaker system, and a sleek new design. It’s also noticeably more portable than the ViewSonic M2e, thanks to its built-in battery and lightweight design, making it a truly versatile option for both home and on-the-go use.
Visually, the M1 Pro is a treat. Its fabric-wrapped exterior, subtle design elements, and integrated Harman Kardon-tuned speaker system give it a premium look and feel. The projector features a swiveling stand that doubles as a lens protector when not in use. A dim light under the fabric wrap indicates functionality, while additional lights display the battery level. To ensure proper screen ratio and angles, regardless of the projection angle, the M1 Pro automatically corrects keystone, meaning it can be positioned upright for convenience.
Here are some key specifications of the ViewSonic M1 Pro:
- Projection Resolution: 1280 x 720 pixels (HD)
- Maximum Projection Size: 150 inches
- Brightness: Up to 600 lumens
- Lamp Life: Up to 30,000 hours
- Throw Distance: 0.94m to 3.52m (for 40 to 150-inch projection)
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, HDMI, USB Type-C, USB Type-A
- Battery: 12,000mAh (can also be used as a power bank)
- Weight: 0.95kg
It’s worth noting that the M1 Pro has a fixed focal length, so the projection size depends entirely on how far you place the projector from the screen. While a sharp projection is achievable even with close proximity, ViewSonic recommends a minimum throw distance of 0.94m (for a 40-inch projection), as larger projections might suffer from a noticeable decrease in sharpness.
Included in the box are a large charging brick, a USB Type-C to Type-C cable (for connecting source devices), a remote control, and a hard-shell carrying case for convenient portability.
ViewSonic M1 Pro: Connectivity and Features
The ViewSonic M1 Pro boasts an impressive array of connectivity features, considering its compact size, and includes options for both wired and wireless connectivity. This makes it compatible with a variety of source devices, from laptops and smartphones to streaming devices and even USB drives.
- Wired Connections: HDMI, USB Type-C, USB Type-A, DC Power, Headphone Jack
- Wireless Connections: Wi-Fi (for screen mirroring), Bluetooth 4.2 (for audio)
While the projector itself outputs at 1280×720 pixels, it supports input resolutions up to 1920×1080 pixels (Full HD). The projector will automatically upscale or downscale the input to match its native resolution. USB Type-C is arguably the most convenient option, handling both video and audio with a single cable. However, the presence of HDMI ensures compatibility with a wide range of devices.
The M1 Pro’s 12,000mAh battery is another standout feature, capable of powering the projector itself and doubling as a power bank for external devices. However, I encountered a slight inconvenience when attempting to charge my laptop while using the projector. This caused the projector’s battery to drain rapidly, requiring me to plug it into a power source. This issue was not present when using an HDMI connection with a source device like an Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen).
The M1 Pro comes equipped with a basic Android-based user interface, providing access to system settings and configurations, as well as media content stored on connected USB drives. However, the app selection is limited, and the navigation relies primarily on the remote control. Therefore, for a richer app experience, connecting a streaming device or laptop is recommended.
Screen mirroring is another feature you can utilize, offering compatibility with Android devices through apps or directly with iOS devices using AirPlay. This allows you to project content like videos, photos, or presentations from your phone or tablet wirelessly. However, limitations exist with app support, restricting direct projection for certain services like Netflix and Prime Video.
ViewSonic M1 Pro: Performance and Battery Life
The ViewSonic M1 Pro’s ability to serve as both a productivity tool and entertainment device makes it stand out in the market. It’s arguably more suitable for productivity tasks than the ViewSonic M1, thanks to its higher resolution, but it still falls short of providing a truly cinematic experience due to its 1280×720 pixel resolution. While this is not a major concern for smaller projections or productivity use, it becomes noticeably apparent at larger sizes, impacting the quality of movies and TV shows.
The M1 Pro boots up quickly and is ready to project within seconds. Connectivity is reliable, particularly with USB Type-C and HDMI connections, which establish almost instantly. AirPlay for wireless connectivity with iOS devices is equally fast and hassle-free. The projector’s automatic keystone correction ensures a proper picture regardless of the projection angle, though, best results are achieved with the projector pointing horizontally towards the screen or wall.
The projector’s fan system generates a constant humming sound, noticeable from close proximity. However, this is not overly loud and can be negated by maintaining a distance of around one meter. The 6W speaker system delivers clear sound that is loud enough to be heard from a similar distance.
During testing, I placed the M1 Pro on a table, projecting onto a white wall from around 1.4m, mimicking the experience of a 55-inch TV. From this distance, the projection size was acceptable, even from a close proximity to the wall. However, reducing ambient light was essential for a good viewing experience, and manual focus adjustment was required for optimal picture clarity.
While watching cricket matches on Disney+ Hotstar was enjoyable, the impact of the lower resolution was apparent with movies and TV shows. The projector is bright enough to handle faint daylight, and with proper focus, the picture quality is sufficient for watching content. However, the softer edges of animated content helped to mitigate the resolution limitations somewhat.
It’s important to remember that the M1 Pro is not designed as a primary home theater projector. It excels as a portable entertainment option for travel or for individuals who don’t have a dedicated home theater set up. Its real strengths lie in productivity applications, especially for presentations and showcasing documents on a larger scale.
While the 12,000mAh battery might seem substantial, the power-intensive nature of projection results in a battery life of approximately one hour during normal use.** This can be extended slightly by utilizing the ‘Eco’ mode, but for practical purposes, the projector will primarily be used while plugged in.
ViewSonic M1 Pro: Verdict
ViewSonic’s commitment to the projector market is admirable, and the M1 Pro stands out as a unique offering with a specialized niche. It provides unparalleled versatility and utility compared to larger, more traditional projectors but comes at a high price. In fact, for the same price, you can buy a respectable 65-inch TV, making the M1 Pro’s value proposition less appealing for those seeking a primary home theater experience.
Despite being better suited for productivity needs, the M1 Pro is still a viable option for casual entertainment on the go. The built-in battery adds flexibility, allowing for wireless use, and the comprehensive connectivity options ensure compatibility with virtually any modern device – wired or wirelessly. If you’re seeking a portable projector that combines the functionality of a productivity tool with the convenience of entertainment on the go, and you have the budget to spare, the ViewSonic M1 Pro is a strong contender.
Price (at the time of this review): Rs. 68,999
Ratings:
Design: 9
Performance: 7
VFM: 6
Overall: 7
Pros:
- Portable, convenient lens cover and stand assembly
- Good connectivity options
- Decent performance
- Good sound quality for a portable projector
- Battery allows for fully wireless operation
Cons:
- Expensive
- Fixed optical zoom
- Basic built-in UI
- Low resolution becomes noticeable at larger projection sizes
