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Visual communication has been improving with each new development in digital technology. From personal computers to tablets and smartphones, you can now get your ideas across quickly and efficiently. Smart boards, also known as interactive whiteboards or displays, look to do the same by integrating some of the features of these devices to ideate, communicate and collaborate.
You can now bring your team into a room and collaborate on the spot with interactive whiteboards. And if you want to bring in other people from a remote location, you can do it right away. Together you can take notes, scratch bad ideas, watch videos, and get online while sharing and saving it all.
If you are in the market for a smart board, this list will show you the best devices you can get right now.
What is a Smart Board?
Also known as an interactive whiteboard, a smart board is in most cases a large display resembling the traditional whiteboard. And as such, it can be used where the analog versions were used. This includes offices, boardrooms, classrooms, coaching, and planning projects.
Generally fixed to a wall, a smart board has a touch screen that allows you to use a smartpen or your fingers to interact with it. You can write on the board or integrate your computing device to show presentations, media, and other content. Additional features allow the board to connect with projectors, the internet, and other applications.
As part of the global interactive display market, this segment was valued at $14.63 billion in 2018. And according to Allied Market Research, it is projected to reach $29.19 billion by 2026. This is a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8.80% from 2019 to 2026.
Are Smart Boards Worth it?
An interactive whiteboard can be a great tool for business presentations, real time collaboration, video conferencing, note taking, and a lot more. Some models have useful features like collaboration tools, interactive displays, and internal speakers, which can increase productivity and elevate your business presentations. When well maintained, the best interactive whiteboards can last for years and be updated as the technology changes, making it a worthwhile investment.
Smart Boards: Our Top Picks
Choosing the right smart board is a crucial decision for educational institutions, businesses, and various professional settings where interactive presentations and collaborations are key. Smart boards have revolutionized how we engage with digital content in group settings, blending interactivity, visual appeal, and technology seamlessly. Our methodology for evaluating and recommending smart boards focuses on these essential criteria:
- Interactive Features: The extent of interactivity, including touch sensitivity, multi-touch capabilities, and gesture recognition.
- Scale of Importance: 10/10
- Display Quality: High-resolution display for clear and vibrant visuals, critical for engaging viewers.
- Scale of Importance: 9/10
- Ease of Use: User-friendly interface and software, ensuring it’s accessible to all users regardless of their tech-savviness.
- Scale of Importance: 8/10
- Connectivity Options: Compatibility with various devices and software, including wireless connectivity options.
- Scale of Importance: 8/10
- Durability and Build Quality: Ability to withstand regular use, especially in classroom or high-traffic business environments.
- Scale of Importance: 8/10
- Size and Mounting Options: Availability in different sizes and mounting options to fit different room sizes and layouts.
- Scale of Importance: 7/10
- Software Compatibility and Integration: Compatibility with commonly used software and ease of integration into existing systems.
- Scale of Importance: 8/10
- Cost-Effectiveness: Providing good value for money, balancing advanced features with affordability.
- Scale of Importance: 7/10
- Audio Quality: Incorporating or being compatible with high-quality audio systems for a complete presentation experience.
- Scale of Importance: 6/10
- Warranty and Customer Support: Reliable support and warranty to ensure long-term usability and assistance.
- Scale of Importance: 7/10
- Eco-Friendliness: Preference for products made with sustainable practices and materials.
- Scale of Importance: 5/10
These criteria guide us in selecting smart boards that are effective, user-friendly, and suitable for a range of professional and educational settings. Here are our top picks from Amazon:
Samsung Flip 2
The Samsung Flip 2 comes from a global brand and leader in display and communication technology. This 65” 4K UHD digital flipchart has a pen-to-paper-like writing experience to make meetings and brainstorming more efficient and productive.
The Flip has versatile connectivity options – USB, HDMI, NFC and screen sharing capabilities enable optimum collaboration and provide interactive content visibility, annotation and sharing.
Samsung Flip 2 WM65R 65 Inch Digital Flipchart for Business
ViewSonic 98” ViewBoard
ViewSonic is another manufacturer known for its high-quality computer displays. This 98” board is big, without losing quality. The ViewBoard is a 4K Ultra HD interactive flat panel board with next-generation IR touch technology. The result is a 50% latency reduction with the 20-point touch capability for multiple simultaneous users.
Additional features include myViewBoard annotation software with enterprise-grade security, SmartPort USB function, and a sound system with 10W stereo speakers and a 15W subwoofer.
ViewSonic IFP9850 98” ViewBoard 4K Ultra HD Interactive Flat Panel
Sharp 70″ Class Interactive Display System
Sharp is known for its quality displays and this 70” ten-point multi-touch screen smart board doesn’t disappoint. It is a high-definition Edge Lit LED display.
This board can support up to four simultaneous users with the Sharp Display Connect Software. The software simplifies connectivity with mobile devices and manipulation of multiple file types.
Sharp PN-C705B 70″ Class Interactive Display System” 4K UHD Touch ScreenSign
Microsoft Surface Hub 2 50? PixelSense Display
The Microsoft Surface Hub 2 is a 50” device with a 4K PixelSense 120Hz touchscreen display with multi-touch/pen capabilities. The Hub 2 is basically a large computer and it includes Intel Core i5, 8 GB RAM, and 128 GB SSD along with a modular hub to increase capacity.
Wide-angle cameras on each side produce 1080P video and a four-element microphone array can capture what everyone in the room is saying. You can talk, draw, and share on the Hub using Microsoft Office applications.
Microsoft Surface Hub 2 50? PixelSense Display
LG 75″ Touchscreen LCD Display
The LG touchscreen display lets you draw, write, and capture notes. You can also connect, display, and control different devices to bring other members of your team in to collaborate.
The UHD display has capacitive touchscreen functionality with multi-touches of up to 40 points. This allows multiple participants to simultaneously use the touch features without any dead zones. And the LG webOS 3.0+ is powered by high-performance System-on-Chip/SOC. With this performance, you can execute several tasks at the same time without a separate media player or PC.
LG 75? Touchscreen LCD Display
DTEN ME Personal Video Collaboration Digital Whiteboard
The DTEN ME is an all-in-one personal collaboration device designed specifically for video conferencing Zoom. Its lightweight 27-inch touchscreen monitor has 3 wide-angle smart cameras and 8 microphone arrays, for clear video and audio. You can illustrate and share ideas and annotate documents in real-time.
The DTEN ME works as a standalone Zoom platform with the Zoom software already built-in. It can be set up in very little time
DTEN ME AIO Personal Video Conferencing Interactive Whiteboard
TIBURN 75-inch Interactive Whiteboard
This is a 75-inch interactive whiteboard with 4K UHD picture quality, built-in Android Annotation software, and can support up to 4 users casting at once. It has an all-in-one design, enabling you to use its functions of projector, interactive board, computer, television, kiosk and audio system.
You will receive the interactive whiteboard, a moveable stand, wall mounting hardware, remote, pen, and connection cables.
TIBURN 75-inch Interactive Whiteboard for Classroom and Businesses
AHA Polyboard Interactive Flat Panel Display Interactive Board
According to the manufacturer, the Polyboard interactive displays are optimized to increase collaboration and communication with its responsive touch technology, clear LCD display, and slim, durable design.
This interactive whiteboard can be used for screen sharing, real-time collaboration, and more.
Polyboard AHA Ultra_8286 Interactive Flat Panel Display 4K UHD Smart Board
AG Neovo Meetboard 65-inch Flat Panel Interactive Display
AG Neovo says its Meetboard interactive whiteboards are user-friendly and are designed, in part, to enhance business presentations and meetings with its collaboration tools, wireless screen sharing, and file management apps.
The 65-inch interactive display offers 4K Ultra HD resolution, and 20-point multi-touch lets multiple users write or draw with fingers or touch pens. It uses USB-C connectivity.
AG Neovo Meetboard 65-inch Interactive Flat Panel Display, USB-C, 4K, 20-Point Multi-Touch
Features to Look for In a Smart Board
The use of smart boards has become more and more prevalent, not just in educational settings but also in businesses for more effective communication and collaboration. Choosing the right smart board for your needs may seem challenging, but by paying attention to certain essential features, you can make a wise choice. Here are some crucial features to consider:
Display Resolution: Beyond the size of the smart board, you should also consider the resolution. Higher resolution provides clearer and sharper images, which can be essential if your presentations include detailed diagrams or charts.
Wireless Connectivity: Some smart boards offer wireless connectivity, which allows for a cleaner setup without the need for cables and wires. This feature can also facilitate easier device connection and information sharing.
Interactive Software: Quality smart boards come with interactive software that provides a range of tools for drawing, writing, and editing content. This software should be user-friendly and compatible with various platforms and devices.
Built-in Sound: Depending on your use, you might want to consider a smart board with integrated speakers for an immersive audio-visual experience. This can be particularly beneficial for video conferencing or multimedia presentations.
Durability: A smart board is a significant investment, and you want it to last. Consider the build quality and the durability of the screen surface. It should be able to withstand regular use without showing signs of wear.
Energy Efficiency: Smart boards use a significant amount of power. Look for energy-efficient models to save on utility bills and contribute to environmental sustainability.
Training and Support: Check if the manufacturer offers training on using the smart board and if they provide support services when issues arise. This will ensure that you can make full use of all the features the smart board offers.
In summary, consider the following factors when choosing a smart board:
- Size and Resolution: Ensure the board is of suitable size and offers high-resolution images.
- Connectivity and Compatibility: Choose a board that supports seamless connection and is compatible with various devices and platforms.
- Operating System: Ensure the board’s OS meets your requirements.
- Cameras and Accessories: Check for necessary accessories and port availability.
- Multi-user Collaboration: Opt for boards that allow simultaneous user inputs.
- Write into Files: Check the board’s ability to annotate and save notes in popular file formats.
- Display Resolution, Wireless Connectivity, Interactive Software, Built-in Sound, Durability, Energy Efficiency, and Training & Support: Evaluate these additional features for a more comprehensive choice.
By evaluating these features, you can choose a smart board that optimizes collaboration and productivity in your workplace.
Benefits of Interactive Whiteboards
Efficiency is the name of the game when you adopt new technology. If it makes your workflow more efficient and your team more productive, then it is worth looking at.
The ability to quickly get on an interactive whiteboard and bring your team together is a huge benefit. This can take place in your office or with your remote team, wherever they happen to be.
The technology of this board allows you to save all your notes, discussions, and content automatically. And you can share, access, edit, and save all the material in a collaborative production while making changes in real-time. This means you can communicate your ideas quickly while you are in the meeting and email, print, and share your discussions when you are done.
When it comes to connectivity, you can connect the board with PCs as well as Android and iOS smart devices. This gives you more interconnectivity and data sharing with team members without having to worry about compatibility issues.
And on a lighter note, you will not have to get messy with the erasers and markers of traditional whiteboards.
What is the biggest SMART board?
The largest interactive whiteboard seems to be 86 inches, with 64 and 75 inches being the most common sizes.
Can you use Zoom on an interactive whiteboard?
Most models of interactive whiteboards support common video conferencing platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and Webex.
How much does an interactive whiteboard cost?
Interactive whiteboards can range in price from under $1000 to over $10,000, depending on size, features, accessories, and other factors.
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