The Epson 990U projector is a powerful, feature packed classroom projector with impeccable color and brightness. The 990U weighs in at 7 pounds and includes a formidable 16 watt mono speaker that should stand on its own in a classroom or boardroom without any need for extra speakers, but there is the audio out option if you need it. This WUXGA (1920×1200) Full HD resolution projector costs around (typical street price from authorized Epson dealers) of about $1080 and claims to deliver 3800 lumens.
The Epson 990U is part of Epson’s new PowerLite lineup that includes two other projectors built for the classroom, with quality image, brightness, and sound performance at affordable prices. The new PowerLite series includes native WUXGA, WXGA, XGA resolutions among all the projectors. The series comes with Epson’s remarkable color brightness and color gamut, three times higher than that of competitive single chip DLP projectors in similar price ranges. In addition, Epson claims to get 12,000 hours of lamp life in Eco mode on each projector in the series. All in all, it looks like a pretty solid series based on my experience with this top line 990U.
| Epson PowerLite 990U Specs | |
|---|---|
| Price | $1079 |
| Technology | 3LCD |
| Native Resolution | 1920×1200 |
| Brightness (Manufacturer Claim) | 3800 |
| Contrast | 15,000:1, 15000:1 |
| Zoom Lens Ratio | 1.60:1 |
| Lens Shift | No |
| Lamp Life | 6000 hours |
| Weight | 7.1 |
| Warranty | 2 years |
Overview
The Epson 990U usually gets mounted on the ceiling, but small businesses might take it on the go. In schools, it’s often fixed in one spot, or put on a rolling cart so it can move between classrooms. The lamp lasts almost 6,000 hours at full power, and way longer with eco settings, so most folks won’t have to change it anytime soon—and if they do, it’s easy to swap out while it’s still mounted.
This projector is made mainly for classrooms. It can connect up to 50 devices at once—like Chromebooks, Macs, PCs, iPhones, and Androids—and show up to four screens at the same time using Epson’s iProjection software (wireless module sold separately for about $100). That’s handy in business meeting rooms too.
Teachers can send lessons straight to students’ devices and control what shows up on their screens. Students can even take notes and send their work back to the projector when the teacher allows it. Plus, with wired or optional wireless networking, schools can manage projectors remotely and send announcements to every classroom at once.
The Epson 990U nails it with bright, clear images, great colors, solid sound, and smart interactive features. It’s a top pick for classrooms and schools, but also works well for business pros on the move or in meetings. And if you join Epson’s Better Futures program, you can grab one for just $825, plus get perks like a 3-year warranty, free next-day replacement, free shipping, tech support, and your own Epson account rep.
Highlights
3LCD tech for bright, vibrant colors
3,800 lumens brightness
Sharp widescreen WUXGA resolution (1920 x 1200)
1.6x optical zoom for flexible, clear images
Replacement lamps last up to 12,000 hours in Eco mode
Connect up to 50 devices and show 4 screens at once (wireless module extra)
Teachers can share content with students and get notes back
Remote management via wired or optional wireless network
Two HDMI ports (one with MHL), plus multiple other inputs
Built-in 16W speaker and mic input, with audio out for extra speakers