Optoma PT105

Optoma PT105

The key thing you need to know about the Optoma PT105 ($200 street) is that it's one of the first representatives of a new category of projectors. Designed specifically for casual game playing, it doesn't offer the level of image quality or brightness that a serious gamer would insist on. However, both are more than good enough to be usable, and probably better than you would expect for the price. More important, the PT105 is small and light enough to be just right for storing away when you're not using it and then setting it up quickly for casual game playing as needed. You could make the case that the PT105 is a variation on pico projectors, with a DLP-based engine, LED light source, and widescreen VGA resolution (854 by 640) just like the Optoma PK301 Pico Pocket Projector ($400 street, 4 stars). But the PT105 is a lot bigger than pico size, it has a better lens, and otherwise has little in common with pico projectors. You could also make the case that it's a variation on Optoma's GameTime projectors, like the Editors' Choice Optoma GT750E ($800 street, 4 stars). However, that's only true in the same sense that go-carts are a variation on cars, and Optoma draws that distinction by putting the PT105 in its PlayTime category.