It also has one thing the other two can't match: automatic keystone correction for squaring the image. Unfortunately, its focus ring is crude, and there's neither an optical zoom lens nor a remote control.

The proof of any projector is in its light output, and the M109S delivers 68 lumens to the screen, about eight times more than the others and above Dell's listed specification of 50 lumens. While this is much less than even the lowest-output conventional projector, it's enough for a good-quality presentation to a small group.

With excellent focus uniformity, images were sharp and viewers could read eight-point type from 5 feet away. On the downside, the output had a dark zone in the upper-right corner, and some of its blues were rendered as purple while others showed up as gray.

The M109S was able to start up in 18.7 seconds and shut itself down in 17.3 seconds, the slowest of the three. Unlike the other two pocket rockets, the M109S has no battery and uses 33 watts at full power. It's a lot compared to the Pico Projector or MPro110, but a pittance next to a traditional projector. The M109S has a fan to cool its parts, making it the loudest of the bunch. It also lacks either adjustable feet or a tripod mount underneath for aiming the projector.

At $500, the M109S is the most expensive of these pocket projectors. It comes with a one-year warranty, which can be extended to three years for $115.