You’ve probably been shopping (or want to shop) for a new portable projector, and the ViewSonic M1+ portable projector caught your eye.
This review article is designed to help you understand the ViewSonic M1+ portable projector. You are going to learn the following by reading this article:
- ViewSonic M1+ portable projector’s features and specifications
- The projector’s design, build, and performance
- Why you should and shouldn’t buy this projector
- Our verdict on the ViewSonic M1+ portable projector
Let’s get started!
ViewSonic M1+ Portable Projector One Minute Review & Specs
The ViewSonic M1+ portable projector is simply outstanding because of its excellent specs and features. This projector is ideal for first-time buyers who want to explore the projector world.
ViewSonic sells this projector with a zipped carrier bag which helps you keep the projector safe during transportation.
This portable projector can display images in 1080p (full HD), making it affordable compared to 4K projectors. Its native resolution is 854 x 480p, which can be pretty limiting.
A more striking feature of the ViewSonic M1+ portable projector is its size. It is sleek, compact (5.7″ x 1.6″ x 5.0″), and light, weighing approximately 0.75kgs (1.65lbs).
Remember, this projector is portable, meaning it has all the necessary features that enable a portable projector to function. Such features include a built-in six-hour battery, dual Harman Kardon speakers that produce incredible sound, etc.
The projector’s lamp can last up to 30,000 hours and produces a brightness of about 300 ANSI lumens. The lamp’s lifespan is quite long. However, 300 ANSI lumens are low, especially if you intend to use your projector in environments with a lot of ambient light.
It has an excellent contrast ratio of 120,000:1 with a short throw distance of 100” image display at just 2.5m (8.5 inches) from the projector screen.
In addition, it runs on Aptoide UI, which allows you to download Android apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, etc. However, you cannot screencast or mirror copyrighted content from these apps.
You’ll have to download the apps to view copyrighted content. While this projector’s OS is simply good, a primary downside of using it is its shallow range of apps. It does not have apps like Apple TV Plus, Disney Plus, and HBO Max.
You will, at some point, need to connect the projector to external devices to enjoy your entertainment time.
The ViewSonic M1+ portable projector has several connectivity ports which allow you to connect external devices easily. Check them out in the following summary table:
| Features | Specifications |
| Brightness | 300 ANSI lumens |
| Contrast ratio | 120,000:1 |
| Resolution | 854 x 480p (native), 1920 x 1080p (full HD mode) |
| Lamp life | 30,000 hours |
| Throw distance | Short – 100’’ at 8.5 inches away (2.5m) |
| Built-in battery | 6 hours after a single full charge |
| Built-in speakers | 2 Harman Kardon speakers |
| Connectivity | HDMI, USB A, USB C, MicroSD, 3.5mm earphones/headphones jack, WiFi, Bluetooth |
| Operating System | Aptoide UI |
| Keystone correction | Vertical (+/- 40°) |
| Storage | 16GB |
| Additional equipment | Remote control and a zipped carrier bag |
Design and Build
The ViewSonic M1+ has a sleek and compact design with a portable build. Its lightweight additionally enhances its portability as the projector weighs just about 1.65lbs. This portable projector can swivel at 360° because it has a stand.
The stand also doubles as a lens protector – it protects the projector’s lens from scratches during transportation.
It, therefore, means that you can place this projector almost anywhere you deem fit. ViewSonic gave this projector a solid build with a premium feel. It has a hidden panel on the more rounded left side which contains all the connectivity ports.
These ports come in handy when connecting external storage, which will undoubtedly be necessary at some point when using this projector. Connecting external storage can be beneficial, especially if you want to enjoy full HD projections.
You can enjoy music or podcasts from Spotify by connecting the projector to a wireless network and letting its two Harman Kardon speakers do their magic.
The two 3W built-in speakers produce excellent sound quality, which will unquestionably make you enjoy using the projector. The speakers may not be as loud and bassy as a sound bar, but they deliver quality sound even when you’ve maxed its volume.
This portable projector also doubles as a Bluetooth speaker.
One primary downside of the build of the ViewSonic M1+ portable projector is its battery. While six hours seem long enough, the battery will only last that long if the projector is in eco-mode.
Eco-mode dims the projector’s brightness which affects the picture quality negatively, considering that the projector already produces 300 ANSI lumens. Remember, projectors that produce low ANSI lumen output do not do well in bright environments.
The battery can only run for three hours (max.) in normal mode, which can be pretty limiting if you had planned to pull a series marathon at night outdoors.
This portable projector’s lens safety auto-off feature is one notable unique feature. This feature switches off the projector if it detects objects too close to the projector’s lens.
This feature could be beneficial if you use the projector near curious children and toddlers who want to look closely at the projector’s lens. Remember, the bright light produced by projectors generally can cause permanent eye damage if looked on directly.
The ViewSonic M1+ portable projector comes with a remote control which is quite convenient as it helps you control the projector easily. However, the remote control does not have a backlight, which can be pretty challenging to use in the dark.
It has four buttons at the back of the projector. The power button doubles as an enter button, +, -, and back buttons.
Performance & Picture Quality
This portable projector from ViewSonic has 16GB internal storage capacity, which houses the operating system and downloaded apps. It runs on Aptoide UI – an open-source Android-based operating system.
Setting up this M1+ projector is easy because it is a plug-and-play projector. Therefore, setting up this projector for an outdoor camping movie is super easy and fast.
Its picture quality is also excellent, mainly if you use external storage to display videos and images in 1080p. However, ViewSonic could increase the level of ANSI lumen output. It will enable the projector to be used in environments with a lot of ambient light.
In addition, it would be best if ViewSonic could improve this projector’s native resolution (480p). The ViewSonic M1+ portable projector’s excellent contrast ratio lets you view brighter whites and darker blacks.
In other words, the projector produces realistic colors to enhance your entertainment. You wouldn’t want to watch a movie that does not appear natural, would you?
Another significant benefit of this projector is its large screen display and short throw distance. The projector can display images on a screen as big as 100” (max.) at only 8.5 inches from the projection screen.
ViewSonic M1+ Portable Projector Pros and Cons
Why You Should Buy the ViewSonic M1+
Two primary reasons should encourage you to buy the ViewSonic M1+ portable projector. Check them out:
- Portability – If you’d like to move around with your projector with little to no hassle, consider buying this sleek and compact projector. It is light and has a solid build with protective features. In addition, ViewSonic will sell you the projector with a robust zipped bag.
- Affordability – Unlike most full HD and 4K display projectors, the ViewSonic M1+ is affordable and, more importantly, capable. It has an outstanding sound quality that can be used to listen to music or podcasts.
The projector further doubles as a Bluetooth speaker, saving you the cost of acquiring an additional speaker. In other words, buying this projector gets you your money’s worth.
Why You Shouldn’t Buy the ViewSonic M1+
There is one primary downside to buying this projector. Check it out:
- Aptoide UI’s app store is a bit shallow, meaning that there are apps you’ll need help to download and install on your projector. You’ll therefore need to use external storage devices. The whole process limits the portability of this projector.
Our Verdict on the ViewSonic M1+ Portable Projector
The ViewSonic M1+ portable projector is one of the best portable projectors on the market today. Its portability and other cool features, such as full HD projection, make it an outstanding mini-projector.
If you are looking to purchase, click here to check the current price over at Amazon!
In addition, it is a more affordable option than other full HD and 4K display projectors. Unfortunately, it also has pretty minor setbacks.
This projector is ideal for everyone – first-time buyers who would like to explore the projector world and veteran projector owners.
