Classroom365 offers a complete range of cheap electronic whiteboards and whiteboard installation services. Less expensive than the premium and well-known SMART interactive boards and Promethean ActivPanel displays, they still offer the following:
- An interactive touch screen is the main feature and teaching benefit of all interactive whiteboards.
- A generic Android operating system offering the ability to download apps and educational resources.
- HDMI, USB and wireless connectivity options.
Please complete our contact form below for a free quote or advice on an affordable interactive whiteboard and installation options.
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| Electronic Whiteboard Solutions for Business and Education | |
|---|---|
| What is an Interactive Whiteboard? | How do Digital Whiteboards Work? |
| Entry Level Digital Whiteboard Alternatives | SMART GX Series |
| Iiyama Displays | Viewsonic Display Solutions |
| Classroom365's Review | |
What is an Affordable Interactive Whiteboard?
Even the cheapest interactive flat panel is a cutting-edge instrument that allows individuals to engage with digital materials in a variety of ways. In contrast to conventional whiteboards, which require markers and erasers, these screens, utilise touch-responsive surfaces and digital pens or fingers for inputting data and adjusting on-screen content.
They are generally connected to electronic devices such as computers, granting access to digital resources from multiple origins. Boasting functionalities like handwriting identification, wireless integration, and multi-touch capabilities, electronic screens function as outstanding cooperative devices in conference rooms, business meetings, and educational settings.
Due to their capacity to boost user efficiency and promote group collaboration, cheaper digital whiteboards have experienced a surge in popularity in both corporate meeting spaces and educational settings.
How do Cheap Digital Whiteboards Work?
When a user interacts with the digital whiteboard, it registers the touch, allowing for real-time manipulation of displayed content. For example, the content can be simple writing or annotating pictures or videos.
The touch inputs are detected by sensors embedded within the board and transmitted to a connected computer or device, where they can be saved for future use.
Leading manufacturers use their own customised software, which can be installed on the attached computer and often with free software licences, to prepare work offline. This is especially useful for teachers who can prepare lessons away from their dedicated classroom computer.
Entry Level Digital Whiteboard Alternatives
Budget-friendly screens, such as the latest panels from Newline Interactive, have emerged as a popular alternative to the higher-priced SMART Boards from SMART Technologies, making them accessible to a broader range of users. The lower cost can be attributed to streamlined design, utilisation of cost-effective components, and open-source software integration.
While a cheap interactive display may lack some advanced features in premium options, they still offer essential interactive functionality, such as multi-touch support, smooth annotation capabilities, and wireless connectivity. They also usually feature spare VGA and HDMI ports so you can connect a visualiser to enhance the interactive experience. It is worth checking first as many do not now come with VGA ports, which some old and cheap classroom visualisers need for connectivity.
By balancing performance and affordability, low-cost electronic touch panels cater to the needs of various educational and corporate settings, delivering an efficient and engaging collaboration platform without breaking the bank.
Contact us for the latest prices for education and business. Classroom365 offers educational discounts on all displays and professional interactive display installations by our DBS-checked installation team. We have been installing whiteboards, electric screens, and projector installation services in schools for over 20 years.
SMART GX Series
The GX series from SMART Technologies is their entry-level interactive SMART Board. Available in 65″, 75″, and 86″ sizes, it has the SMART 5-year hardware guarantee and an excellent reputation as the market leader for digital displays in education. The SMART Board GX price allows schools to replace their third-party or SMART Board projector installation for a low cost while retaining the SMART overall experience.
So, how does the cheaper GX Series differ from the popular SMART Board MX Series, most commonly installed in the education sector?
- The touch screen technology is more advanced with the MX series using zero bonded glass, giving a more responsive interaction.
- A 6-microphone array is built into the MX series of SMART Boards.
- The MX range is available in a 55″ option.
- The GX frame colour is black. The MX is white.
- The MX has more convenience buttons, like a screen shade button.
- The GX Series uses the same Android operating system as 90% of the other displays on the market, including the iiyama and Viewsonic displays included here. The MX series uses SMART’s proprietary Smartboard software, including its marketplace for apps, additional software and over 5,000 classroom lessons. Note that neither comes with the subscription-based Learning Suite. You have to buy that on top.
You must decide how much of the above is required!
iiyama Displays
iiyama displays are dependable interactive display and digital signage solutions. As a reputable brand with over four decades of experience, iiyama is a good brand, and Classroom365 recommends its interactive touch screen solutions.
There are cheaper displays available, but they are one of those we recommend.
All models feature multi-touch capabilities and gesture recognition, a whiteboard app, and screen sharing, which are great if you need basic functionality.
iiyama supports their hardware with an extensive warranty, usually 5 years, and their customer support is pretty good, too.
Viewsonic Display Solutions
Viewsonic displays feature outstanding image clarity, user-friendly touch functionality, and a variety of connection possibilities, making them well-suited for educational, business, and creative environments.
With their sturdy build and large screen options, a Viewsonic interactive display presents a competitive alternative in the touch screen market’s lower price segment. By offering cost-effective choices and exceptional compatibility, Viewsonic has established a distinctive position within the fiercely contested interactive touch panel industry and remains a favoured option for those seeking dependable, high-performance solutions.
Moreover, Viewsonic is dedicated to minimising its ecological footprint, often integrating environmentally conscious elements into its interactive panels, such as energy-efficient LED backlighting and power conservation settings.
There are so many options for budget electronic screens around. We often receive emails and requests to evaluate new brands, many of which we have not heard of! From our experience, we do not recommend the cheapest digital whiteboard options available. The software can be buggy and poorly translated with a lack of compatible accessories.
The SMART GX Series, Viewsonic displays, and iiyama touch screens are fantastic options that work well and fall within a similar price range. If you require a no-frills digital whiteboard, the SMART GX175 with a 75″ screen is a very tempting option. The well-known SMART Notebook software is included, but only the free version. In fact, with any of the boards from SMART Technologies, the Notebook software licence is now an additional purchase to remove the watermark and access the integrated lesson plans. The higher specification MX275 (75″) model does not include the software licence.
With all the different curriculum resources available, we recommend the SMART MX and IMPACT Series of whiteboards from Clevertouch Technologies for a complete interactive solution for education.
For a business environment or a Head Teacher’s office in a school, we like the iiyama Prolite screens. They offer a no-fuss interactive experience based on a stable Android platform. Wireless screen sharing is stable, the boards look good aesthetically, and they are backed up with a great warranty. The Viewsonic screens offer a similar experience but are marginally more expensive.
For more information and to learn about education and business discounts, please get in touch with us today.
Mark Friend, BSc (Hons), is a Company Director at Classroom365 and has worked in technology for nearly 30 years. His IT career started with Rothschild Bank in Sydney, Australia, before working as a Global VPN Project Manager for the British Council. Mark has 20 years of experience in the UK education sector, helping schools integrate the latest tech into their curriculum and ICT vision.