Recommendations for Notebook/Projector combination

FredBear wrote:
>
> I see from the spec that it has an onboard ATI Radeon Xpress 1150 graphics
> chip and I can't find anything meaningful with Google. Since I'm not very
> knowledgeable about graphics cards, do you know if it is has dual output or,
> if not, how well it works with a projector?

It has a standard VGA output, like virtually all laptops. There
shouldn't be any trouble using display-cloning or whatever with a
projector, although you can get compatibility issues. That's all down to
the ATI driver anyway.


--
John Jordan
 >> Stay informed about: Recommendations for Notebook/Projector combination 

In message <1364vkntf4ipgb0 DeleteThis @corp.supernews.com>, FredBear
<ThisIsNotMyAddress DeleteThis @Yahoo.com> writes

[cut]
>What I need is a laptop and projector which work together straight out of
>the box.

You won't get 'matched' component in the sense of 'they work seamlessly
out of the box' What you have to do is match the components yourself

>I don't know all that much about it but I suspect I need something
>like both machines to be native XGA 1024 x 768 and the projector to be 2000
>to 2500 lumens DLP and the laptop to be nothing special other than with a
>DVD, wireless and Bluetooth. If it had a dual screen graphics card it would
>be very helpful. By that I mean so I can see the laptop in one resolution
>and see the screen in a different, better, one but without a lot of hassle
>setting it up. Since the whole circus has to be humped about to different
>locations, weight might be a major consideration.

I've fit quite a few projectors in educational environments and rather
than suggest particular products some general thoughts:

1. Projectors have a native resolution the same as a TFT -- any other
resolution is achieved by compression or interpolation with usually less
than satisfactory results. So go with a higher res. XGA (1024X768)
2. Aspect ratio -- if the aspect ratio of the laptop screen (say a
widescreen) is different than the projector (say 1024X768) then what you
see on laptop screen and projection may be different without
considerable playing. So I'd suggest matching these 2 in hardware as it
were. AKA a laptop with a 15" non-widescreen does 1024X768 natively out
of the box and so would an XGA projector.
3.Pay some attention to sound if it is likely ever to be used. The
speakers in projectors are usually 1 or 2 watt efforts that are almost
useless -- in classrooms I fit proper speakers high up. Speakers in
laptops vary widely from not much use to excellent.
4.I've mostly fit HP and BenQ projectors and had few problems with
either but bear in mind they have almost all been ceiling mounted (some
in cages) so I can't really comment on their portable ruggedness -- the
BenQs come with a carry case and every cable you'll ever need. I'd
suggest you go with the highest number of lumens you can afford since
you may not control ambient light -- I've never fit lower than 2000
lumens even in a small workshop classroom. Also consider the dB sound
level the cooling fan makes as some can be very intrusive.
5. Comments on laptops: Vista is a resource hog just to get it started
so you need a much higher specification machine to get it to run well,
consider WinXP. In no particular order: I like Asus, Lenovo (ex -IBM),
HP and Toshiba laptops. I prefer Intel CPUs and chipsets. I'd agree with
another poster about the non-reflective screens being better than the
shiny in more environments. I've a Lenovo/IBM R52 Centrino with 15" matt
TFT/XPP that Just Works (TM) which is important to me. I also advise
people to purchase a laptop with as many connectivity options as
possible so currently Bluetooth is usually an option while
WiFi/RJ45/modem are standard. The reason being that you can usually
transfer data one way or another but doing it direct from one device
straight onto the laptop is easiest.
6. Consider a portable projection screen over using walls etc. A matt
white wall works very well for those people at centre of view but drops
off sharply for those viewing at an angle. The projection screens with
tiny glass beads embedded in them have excellent angle of view and are
neither expensive nor heavy.

2p
--
Tony
 >> Stay informed about: Recommendations for Notebook/Projector combination 

Tony,

Thanks for that, it is very useful stuff for me.

I will probably go for the HP NX6325 which was recommended to me here. I
will get a projector with similar attributes i.e. resolution 1024x768, XGA,
2600 lumens. I was looking at Optoma but I see that the BenQ machines have
an optional wireless add-on which you plug into the DVI socket. That might
be an advantage for me. Have you used it? and if so, does it do the
business?

I've got a couple of small powered speakers from a previous PC which work
fine with my borrowed laptop.

Regards,

Ian Millward



"Tony Wright" <adw DeleteThis @saska.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:hWhGZPpgKyYGFwGM@saska.demon.co.uk...
> In message <1364vkntf4ipgb0 DeleteThis @corp.supernews.com>, FredBear
> <ThisIsNotMyAddress DeleteThis @Yahoo.com> writes
>
> [cut]
>>What I need is a laptop and projector which work together straight out of
>>the box.
>
> You won't get 'matched' component in the sense of 'they work seamlessly
> out of the box' What you have to do is match the components yourself
>
>>I don't know all that much about it but I suspect I need something
>>like both machines to be native XGA 1024 x 768 and the projector to be
>>2000
>>to 2500 lumens DLP and the laptop to be nothing special other than with a
>>DVD, wireless and Bluetooth. If it had a dual screen graphics card it
>>would
>>be very helpful. By that I mean so I can see the laptop in one resolution
>>and see the screen in a different, better, one but without a lot of hassle
>>setting it up. Since the whole circus has to be humped about to different
>>locations, weight might be a major consideration.
>
> I've fit quite a few projectors in educational environments and rather
> than suggest particular products some general thoughts:
>
> 1. Projectors have a native resolution the same as a TFT -- any other
> resolution is achieved by compression or interpolation with usually less
> than satisfactory results. So go with a higher res. XGA (1024X768)
> 2. Aspect ratio -- if the aspect ratio of the laptop screen (say a
> widescreen) is different than the projector (say 1024X768) then what you
> see on laptop screen and projection may be different without
> considerable playing. So I'd suggest matching these 2 in hardware as it
> were. AKA a laptop with a 15" non-widescreen does 1024X768 natively out
> of the box and so would an XGA projector.
> 3.Pay some attention to sound if it is likely ever to be used. The
> speakers in projectors are usually 1 or 2 watt efforts that are almost
> useless -- in classrooms I fit proper speakers high up. Speakers in
> laptops vary widely from not much use to excellent.
> 4.I've mostly fit HP and BenQ projectors and had few problems with
> either but bear in mind they have almost all been ceiling mounted (some
> in cages) so I can't really comment on their portable ruggedness -- the
> BenQs come with a carry case and every cable you'll ever need. I'd
> suggest you go with the highest number of lumens you can afford since
> you may not control ambient light -- I've never fit lower than 2000
> lumens even in a small workshop classroom. Also consider the dB sound
> level the cooling fan makes as some can be very intrusive.
> 5. Comments on laptops: Vista is a resource hog just to get it started
> so you need a much higher specification machine to get it to run well,
> consider WinXP. In no particular order: I like Asus, Lenovo (ex -IBM),
> HP and Toshiba laptops. I prefer Intel CPUs and chipsets. I'd agree with
> another poster about the non-reflective screens being better than the
> shiny in more environments. I've a Lenovo/IBM R52 Centrino with 15" matt
> TFT/XPP that Just Works (TM) which is important to me. I also advise
> people to purchase a laptop with as many connectivity options as
> possible so currently Bluetooth is usually an option while
> WiFi/RJ45/modem are standard. The reason being that you can usually
> transfer data one way or another but doing it direct from one device
> straight onto the laptop is easiest.
> 6. Consider a portable projection screen over using walls etc. A matt
> white wall works very well for those people at centre of view but drops
> off sharply for those viewing at an angle. The projection screens with
> tiny glass beads embedded in them have excellent angle of view and are
> neither expensive nor heavy.
>
> 2p
> --
> Tony
 >> Stay informed about: Recommendations for Notebook/Projector combination 

"Tony Wright" <adw.DeleteThis@saska.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:hWhGZPpgKyYGFwGM@saska.demon.co.uk...
> In message <1364vkntf4ipgb0.DeleteThis@corp.supernews.com>, FredBear
> <ThisIsNotMyAddress.DeleteThis@Yahoo.com> writes
>
> [cut]

> 3.Pay some attention to sound if it is likely ever to be used. The
> speakers in projectors are usually 1 or 2 watt efforts that are almost
> useless -- in classrooms I fit proper speakers high up. Speakers in
> laptops vary widely from not much use to excellent.

> Tony

Hi Tony, I too fit projectors for primary schools but have no experience of
fitting wall mounted speakers for them, for my own benefit what do you fit?

Some of the schools have active speakers branded "JungleRex" which are
adequate but I've never had any luck finding anywhere that sells them, these
were supplied & fitted by Compulease under a contract.

Peter.
 >> Stay informed about: Recommendations for Notebook/Projector combination 

In message <ncW8i.31029$Ro3.23267@text.news.blueyonder.co.uk>, BigH2K
<bigh2007 RemoveThis @TAKEITAWAYblueyonder.co.uk> writes

>Hi Tony, I too fit projectors for primary schools but have no experience of
>fitting wall mounted speakers for them, for my own benefit what do you fit?

I normally fit 2.1 systems with satellites and sub-woofer mounted high
up on brackets available from Focus or B&Q. Mounting them high gives
good performance and keeps them out of harm's way. The Creative Labs
systems often have a Volume control that can be routed down beside an
IWB. The models change so fast that I just look them up as and when
needed though I like Creative Labs, JBL/Harmon Kardon and Altec
Lansings.

For less than ~30' square classrooms, most of the sub 40 GBP offerings
will work well. Once you get much larger than that (like auditoriums)
you should be looking at much more powerful options.
--
Tony
 >> Stay informed about: Recommendations for Notebook/Projector combination 

"Tony Wright" <adw DeleteThis @saska.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:d7rZyhCNNFZGFwbp@saska.demon.co.uk...
> In message <ncW8i.31029$Ro3.23267@text.news.blueyonder.co.uk>, BigH2K
> <bigh2007 DeleteThis @TAKEITAWAYblueyonder.co.uk> writes
>
>>Hi Tony, I too fit projectors for primary schools but have no experience
>>of
>>fitting wall mounted speakers for them, for my own benefit what do you
>>fit?
>
> I normally fit 2.1 systems with satellites and sub-woofer mounted high
> up on brackets available from Focus or B&Q. Mounting them high gives
> good performance and keeps them out of harm's way. The Creative Labs
> systems often have a Volume control that can be routed down beside an
> IWB. The models change so fast that I just look them up as and when
> needed though I like Creative Labs, JBL/Harmon Kardon and Altec
> Lansings.
>
> For less than ~30' square classrooms, most of the sub 40 GBP offerings
> will work well. Once you get much larger than that (like auditoriums)
> you should be looking at much more powerful options.
> --
> Tony

Cheers mate, I'll consider it.
 >> Stay informed about: Recommendations for Notebook/Projector combination