Dell 5100MP Projector Review

Whatever happened to the market leader known as Dell? In the early 2000s Dell emerged as one of the few technology companies that survived the technology bubble, becoming almost untouchable. Through their own growth and development, Dell has grown out of the PC market and is now dabbling in the audio visual industry with powerful projectors. Perhaps why Dell is not leading in this industry is because of its conflicting directions the brand is taking. Dell is suppose to be known for low-cost options for computers. Now they are introducing middle to high end priced projectors. A case to review is the ultra-bright Dell 5100MP, retailing for $3499 USD.

This projector model emits 3300 lumens of pure light power, the highest and brightest among its peers in the same category and price range. At that brightness level, the 5100MP can handle itself in almost any presentation environment; including large conference rooms and lecture halls on college campuses. Due to its overpowering image, there is a lot of casing holding the projector lamp in place. Thus, making it difficult to turn this projector into a portable model. The projector weighs in at over 8 pounds. The projector lamp ID is 310-6896. It is rated to last 1,500 to 2,000 hours. Most users found the lamp lasted until the 1,700 mark. For a trusted source to purchase this projector bulb, click here.

Setting up the 5100MP is simple. A small LCD display on the top panel shows the projectors status and is less cryptic than the blinking lights that most other models rely on. If the projector is tilted at an angle to the screen, its automatic keystone correction removes trapezoidal image distortion. Despite being packed with options, the comprehensive on-screen menu is reasonably easy to navigate. The resolution offered by this model did not affect the 5100MPs performance on graphics and motion playback tests. In these areas, the Dell earned good reviews from most experts in the industry. The well-designed remote includes all the amenities a presenter may need, including a laser pointer, dedicated buttons for picture-in-picture and standard picture modes, and full mouse control.

The 5100MP supports a full complement of computer and video connections, and it comes bundled with all of the cables you will need: including digital and component video, right out of the box. You even get an RJ-45 input connector for using the unit in a wired network environment. The built-in stereo sound system (a pair of 2-watt speakers) provided stronger sound than we have heard on most business projectors, and it includes both treble and bass control. With native resolution photography, the 5100MP projector presented a bright, high contrast image, with good color accuracy and saturation. Highlights seemed to be blown out and lose detail unless contrast was brought down several notches. While we were able to compensate for the most part by lowering contrast, the projectors white level can still be uncomfortably high. The best solution for this problem, it seems, is switching the projector to movie mode and lowering room lighting. To compare this projector to other reviews click here.

In conclusion, the Dell 5100MP projector is a versatile high performance, high resolution projector that is best suited for a stationary and permanent environment. Consumers looking for low-cost Dell pricing will not find it with this model. Nevertheless, the price does match performance. The very powerful projector lamp will give strong output in the relatively small package and ultimately provide great value in the projector market.