Noteworthy: Acer Releases USB-powered Projector

Acer on Monday released the C120 DLP Projector, an ultraportable projector that the company is promoting as a companion to your laptop. With its diminutive dimensions and weight of only 6.34 ounces, “laptop companion” does seem like an apt description indeed.

The C120 Projector plugs into a PC’s USB port and uses the sole connection for display input and power, and is capable of projecting an image to a maximum size of about 12 feet with a native resolution of 854 x 480 (16:9 aspect ratio).

When connected via USB cable, the C120 Projector emits 75 ANSI lumens of illumination, which increases to 100 lumens when used with the included AC adapter. Acer says the C120 produces excellent image quality and offers a 1000:1 contrast ratio, while the LED light source within the projector has a rated lifespan of 20,000 hours. 

The C120 Projector is equipped with a USB 3.0 port; it is not clear if the projector will work when plugged into a USB 2.0 port though.

The C120 Projector’s ability to be powered entirely by USB is highly appealing and offers a level of portability exceeding the FAVI Mini Projector that I reviewed last month. Of course, the C120 lacks the wide range of input sources offered by the Mini Projector, including the ability to play media files from an SD card. Moreover, it remains to be seen if the image quality and brightness of the C120 can match up to FAVI’s larger offering.

The C120 Projector is currently available at Acer’s online store and is priced at an MSRP of $259. Acer offers a 90-day limited warranty for the bulb and a one-year warranty for the projector; additional specifications of the C120 Projector can be found in the table below.