The company has been selling projectors in India for quite some time, and it even offers monitors and display solutions for both the workplace and the home. The ViewSonic M1+ G2 comes with a few upgrades but almost the same design as the last-generation model. The M1+ G2 was updated this year with two new models.
The ViewSonic M1+ G2 projector retails for Rs 44,499 (it was originally priced at Rs 68,000) and comes with Harman Kardon speakers. Power cords, USB-C cables, a user manual, and remote control are included in the compact packaging.
Design
Even though it borrows a similar design from its predecessor, the ViewSonic M1+ G2 remains one of the most attractive looking ultra-portable projectors in the market.
This model also features the same dual-tone finish (silver and grey) and the square-shaped minimalist design that complements the overall design. In addition to providing 360-degree setup options, the projector’s integrated smart stand doubles as a lens cover. Despite the projector’s easy portability and dust-proofing, it is not water-resistant. If you are using it outside on a rainy day, be aware.
On the right side of the projector is a hidden connectivity slot that houses all the ports. This is a well-designed and noticeable area of the projector. It has a wide range of connectivity options, including one microSD card slot, one USB Type-C port, one HDMI port, one USB Type-A port, a 19V power port, and an HDMI output.
In other words, the projector can playback content easily from devices such as Sony PlayStation, Microsoft Xbox, Amazon Fire TV Stick, USB drive, and even some newer smartphones. A focus dial is located next to the hidden port for changing the focus manually on the ViewSonic M1+ G2.
Despite being heavier than its predecessor, the ViewSonic M1+ G2 is still lightweight (700 grams). Smart-stands are made of metal and can support multiple angles of the projector. Lastly, there are no dedicated buttons for keystone correction or brightness adjustment on the device.
We can adjust the volume and power off using the onboard controls. A projector of this price level with this design will meet all your expectations for an ultra-portable projector.
Software
The proprietary software on the ViewSonic M1+ G2 needs refinement if we move away from its design. It does not have access to official Google services, including Google Assistant, even though it has Wi-Fi connectivity.
Also absent is a voice command button or shortcuts to popular OTT services like Amazon Prime Video or Netflix on the bundled remote. Aptoide has the official Prime Video app, but Disney+ Hotstar is not available. YouTube can be accessed through an app owned by a third party, but customers should be cautious before using their official Google account.
The proprietary software may also be problematic when it comes to typing. In the app store, for instance, you have to type the full Amazon Prime Videos app name when looking for it, as you can’t select the suggested results based on half of what you typed.
Users are able to manually change the display settings on the ViewSonic M1+ G2 by tilting the screen upwards or downwards, which automatically adjusts the display based on the frame.
For similar reasons, you’ll have to exit the app and go to the native Settings page if you want to adjust the display settings when watching a video on Prime Videos. A handy settings tab appears when you watch videos stored on an external drive when you press the dedicated shortcut key on the remote.
While connected to the same Wi-Fi network, iPhone and Android users can mirror their screens. The fact is, most portable projectors in India lack smart-viewing support at this price; however, some models come with Android TV Nine out of the box, such as the XGIMI Mogo Pro.
Display & Sound
Compared with the old-generation ViewSonic M1 ultra-portable projector, the new ViewSonic M1+ G2 offers 300 lumens of peak brightness. Based on throw projection, you can even attain a screen size of approximately 100 inches.
The company claims an input lag of about 41.5ms. According to the manufacturer, the light source will last up to 30,000 hours when used in normal mode. Lastly, the projector supports 1080p videos, but the native resolution is 854*480 pixels. The ViewSonic M1+ G2 does deliver as promised, but regardless of mild updates, the videos aren’t as bright as they could be.
Though we watched The Grand Budapest Hotel and several Office episodes. The low brightness overshadowed the overall viewing experience despite the sharpness and colour accuracy. If you have ambient light, you will barely see anything, so you need to have the room dark enough to view the game properly.
Considering that it is a portable projector, I also tested it outdoors, which does improve the product’s usability, though its low brightness results in simply average viewing quality. While the battery life of the current model is decent, it is not as long as the last-gen model. This makes it a bit difficult to view the battery levels besides the LED indicator. It takes two hours to charge the projector.
I was pleasantly surprised that we didn’t see any signs of overheating, and the fan noise is loud enough to not interrupt the viewing experience. The inbuilt Harman Kardon dual speakers (3W output each) are surprisingly loud even in a roughly 420 sq ft space.
Yet even in a roughly 420 sq ft bedroom with fans running, Harman Kardon’s inbuilt dual speakers (3W output each) are surprisingly loud. Although this tiny, palm-sized device does produce clear audio, don’t expect any punchy bass. Therefore, ViewSonic M1+ G2 isn’t the best ultraportable projector on the market, and it isn’t the best option for home entertainment.
However, it is also not one of the most disappointing projectors you’ll ever see, and it is suitable for multiple applications, such as office presentations or on-the-go presentations, as well as showing quick clips from your wedding to relatives.
We do not see any significant changes, even in terms of design, since it is a refreshed model. The ViewSonic M1+ G2 does a decent job, if not the best, when it comes to the display and sound. ViewSonic’s M1+ G2 projector is, therefore, a formidable competitor among similar-priced competitors (under Rs 45,000).
edited and proofread by nikita sharmaÂ
