Superthin Casio Projector Offers High-Quality Images

The preproduction version I tested impressed me with its portability, usability, and features. Its wide-angle, 2X zoom lens and high brightness of 2000 ANSI lumens let it display a big, clear image under typical indoor lighting. Power zoom and focus controls on both the unit and the remote made adjusting image size and sharpness easy. The XJ-S35 displayed test images well, be they PowerPoint slides, digital photos, or DVD movies.

What I admire most about the XJ-S35, though, is how easily it fits into a briefcase. To achieve the unit's slim design and still provide a good cooling system, Casio developed a small lens and light source and added a quiet cooling technology that includes a heat pipe--a first for a portable projector.

Inputs include VGA and composite video, along with USB connectivity for image projection from a portable USB drive and for use with Casio's pending USB wireless adapter, available as a $149 option. One limitation: Like many superportable projectors, the XJ-S35 lacks audio support.

Although the XJ-S35 costs more than budget-priced XGA projectors do, it weighs several pounds less. If you're traveling light but need a high-quality projector, the Super Slim XJ-S35 is worth a look.