I ditched my monitor for a 4K 120Hz projector, and it completely changed my setup

It shouldn't surprise you that I spend a lot of time in front of a screen. Whether it's for my business or my writing, my days tend to run long. A few years ago, I invested in a large 43-inch monitor to maximize the screen real estate. But as large as it is, you can only fit so much on a desk. Plus, it didn't help that the monitor was locked to 60Hz.

I wanted something with the sharpness of a 4K screen, the smoothness of a high refresh-rate panel, and the ability to go a bit higher for games and movies when I felt like it. A projector seemed like a good fit, except that until very recently, such a projector didn't really exist. Not within a reasonable budget anyway.

However, Texas Instruments recently introduced its DLP472TP chip, which has allowed a range of manufacturers to release 4K/120Hz projectors at less-than-nosebleed prices. I decided to try the JMGO Iris Ultra Max. This 4K projector supports 120Hz output, turning any wall into a screen larger than any monitor has any right to be, but it's the other bells and whistles that convinced me it's the one.

A projector gives you much more flexibility than a conventional monitor

The motorized gimbal makes switching from work to play effortless

The problem with a conventional monitor is that it effectively becomes the centerpiece of your desk setup. You've got a fixed viewing distance and need to attach a monitor arm or VESA mount, too. I multitask a lot, and my desktop tends to be a clutter of windows, but there's only so big I can go with a monitor.

The JMGO Iris Ultra Max, but for that matter, any projector, lets you scale up and down the screen size depending on what you're doing. What stood out to me about this projector is its optical zoom function. Got a small desk? You can scale down to a smaller, just-as-sharp screen. Need to turn that same projector into a gaming machine? Use the optical zoom to adjust the screen size. I've gone as large as a 120-inch screen, and the results have been tack-sharp.

Even before we get to picture quality and the other specs that made me choose this model, one feature stood out. It's got a built-in motorized gimbal. That means when I'm done with work, I can flip it around and project a massive display on the wall behind me to catch up on Netflix. In fact, the projector can even remember the exact horizon adjustments you made for specific areas. It literally takes seconds to switch spots, making for a brilliant quality-of-life addition.

4K resolution and 120Hz make the projector a viable monitor replacement

The dual iris system helps improve contrast

Of course, size was just one reason I was keen to switch to this model as a monitor. The resolution matters a lot. Given the sheer number of high-density text documents I tend to have on my screen, a 4K setup was a non-negotiable for me.

Just as important was brightness. My work setup sits right by a large window, so I need something that can deliver a usable image in ambient light. Rated at 6500 lumens, the Iris Ultra Max should be more than capable on paper. Realistically, it is, with a small caveat. I found that the rated peak brightness applies only under specific settings, like a pure white screen. The actual brightness is noticeably lower, but not enough to be an issue. If you're using a projector as a monitor, keep in mind that ambient light will affect perceived contrast, and you'll just have to get used to it.

That said, let's talk 120Hz, because it's one of the rarer features around. The projector also has HDMI 2.1 and variable refresh rate support, plus automatic low-latency features. I paired the projector with my MacBook Pro and easily mirrored my laptop's screen at 120Hz. No surprises there.

Part of the reason JMGO has been able to drive down the cost of a 4K, 120Hz projector is that it doesn't actually use a native 4K imaging chip. Instead, it uses a 1080p DLP chip and pairs it with pixel shifting to produce a 4K image. Dual display controllers and a high-speed actuator enable this. While pixel shifting isn't exactly new, it uses two of the aforementioned TI DLP chips to drive the imaging system fast enough to achieve 4K at 120Hz. It's also why the image looks sharp, practically the same as native 4K versus the softer visuals you'd expect from an interpolated or upscaled image.

There's a lot to like here, including built-in Google TV support, which lets me turn the projector into an entertainment system whenever I want. But what stands out most to me is the native contrast ratio achieved via a dual-iris arrangement. This is genuinely cool, as it lets me improve contrast levels in a room with ambient light by physically adjusting the projector's iris. While the projector works best with an ALR screen to eke out the best possible image quality, I can't fit one in my study. That's where the Iris adjustment has been useful, as I can extract better contrast even when running the projector on a blank white wall.

A more flexible way to work

For now, I've been using the projector straight up on my wall, blowing up a 120Hz screen with my MacBook. Whether I'm writing or editing video, it's been a wonderful experience. Look, this isn't a replacement for hardcore monitor nerds or even gamers. Casual gamers and entertainment enthusiasts will find the JMGO Ultra Max more than satisfactory, and it does a fantastic job even if all you're looking for is a way to maximize screen real estate.

It isn't perfect, and brightness levels aren't quite what the marketing claims, but that's a problem that plagues practically every projector on the market. What completes the package is what the projector offers beyond that. Whether it's the sharpness of 4K resolution, genuine 120Hz support, or the ability to turn it into an entertainment center on a dime, these are what make it interesting.

For my setup, that's a big plus since I'm not just getting a bigger screen for work, but also the ability to turn it into an entertainment center once I'm done. It's a pricey upgrade over my old monitor, but I can't say anyone would regret making it.