I guess you already know about pocket-sized projectors, like the one made for the iPhone. 3M was the first to launch one of those, as far as I know, but it had doubtful image quality, a way too short battery life-span, poor build quality and poor overall experience. It was a start in that class, but it did not respect the stated aim.

It took it a while, but finally it has released another one, namely the MPro120, as a replacement for the MPro110. Now, this projector is completely something else, with neat image quality provided by its liquid crystal on silicon imaging display.

The battery life-span was not forgotten, of course, reaching two to four hours, depending on the brightness setting. The life of the 12-lumen lamp is now rated at 20,000 hours - that's two years and three months - and I can't image one would ever run it that long in a lifetime.

"Following the success of the MPro110, the MPro120 will further reinforce 3M's leadership position in the development and implementation of advanced projection technologies," said Mark Colin, general manager, 3M Projection Systems Department. "The functionality of the MPro120 represents technical achievements that were manageable only by the long-term commitment to research and development that is 3M's hallmark."

Sound is now provided by stereo speakers. The only resemblance, I hope, with the previous model is its having the same 640 x 480 resolution. This tiny projector will be available by September 1, for pre-sale, with an estimated price of $349.00, just like the MPro110 model. If it managed to improve build quality as well, this one would be a winner, until the next model, that is.


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