recommendations for purchasing a Powerpoint Projector

"Hi, can you make any recommendations for purchasing a Powerpoint Projector. I also need to upgrade my laptop so any tips there would also be welcome, especially in terms of compatability between the two, etc. Thanks."

 Purchasing a projector or a computer need not be a headache.  You can see our guide on what to look for in a projector here, and what to look for in a computer here.  Note that as of this writing, Windows XP will only be available for just over a month more.

 The key things will be portability, brightness and reliability. 

As for compatibility between the two, most projectors will be able to take an RGB video input and probably a DVI digital video input as well.  Laptops tend to have an RGB out as standard.  Digital video outputs are less common.  The projector will not care what operating system or application your laptop is running.  You will probably have to tell the laptop to send a video signal to the projector when you want to use it.  On most laptops, this is achieved by pressing a combination os the FN key and F4 (or on some F8).  In others you can right click on the desktop and will be able to specify whether the projector shows the same as the laptop screen or acts as an extension of the desktop, etc.