The new Mitsubishi XL1550U business projector is one of two interesting, sibling projectors from Mitsubishi. The other is the more powerful XL2550U. This review will focus on the XL1550U, but I will comment occasionally on the XL2550U projector where it differs from the lower cost XL1550U projector. I only had the XL1550 LCD projector to work with. All subjective comments about the XL2550 projector are based on the spec differences, and other factors, but again, I did not have one in here for testing.

Overall, these Mitsubishi projectors would have to be considered moderately bright, portable projectors. They are neither very small (ultra-portable, micro-portable, pico portable), nor very light at 10.4 pounds (4.7 kg). The XL1550U claims 3100 lumens, while the brighter Mitsubishi XL2550U claims 4000 lumens. In reality, Mitsubishi refers to them as install projectors, and they have the features to match. Still, they are not so large or heavy to preclude them from being used for a lot of local portable presentations, being moved from room to room, or building to building. It's far less likely that people will want to use them if traveling by plane, just too bulky. Despite Mitsubishi promoting them as Installation Projectors in its brochures, it does include a carry case with both models.

Two notable features come to mind with these two projectors. First, is that they offer interchangeable lenses, and are relatively inexpensive among projectors that do offer lens options. The other feature is long lamp life (in low power modes).

Projector Highlights:

• XL1550U rated 3100 lumens, XL2550U rated 4000 lumens
• 3LCD technology, with very good color
• Interchangeable lenses
• Very quiet operation (XL1550U), moderately quiet (XL2550U)
• Best in class warranty!
• Heavy duty security lock bar
• Huge selection of inputs, outputs, and wired networking
• XL1550U measures very close to its claimed 3100 lumens
• Lamp can be replaced without unmounting the projector

Business Projector: Basic Specs

MSRP: $2495 XL1550U, $3994 XL2550U
Technology: 3LCD
Native Resolution: XGA 1024x768
Brightness: 3100 lumens (XL1550), 4000 lumens (XL2550U)
Contrast: 400:1 (XL1550U), 600:1 (XL2550U)
Zoom Lens ratio: 1.27:1
Lens shift: No
Lamp life: XL1550U 2000 hours at high power, 5000 hours at low lamp power
XL2550: 2000 hours at full power, 4000 at low power
Weight: lbs. 10.4 (4.7 Kg)
Warranty: 3 Years Parts and Labor standard, with replacement program all 3 years