Recommend me a laptop to run a Smartboard from please

[speckytecky]

We have one SmartBoard that was initially set up to run without a monitor - Science classroom with bunsen burners etc. and not a heap of space.

 

We now have the necessary wires on the teacher's desktop to afford either a workstation and monitor or laptop there to run the SmartBoard from. The teacher wants also to run an Apple TV set up from the point.

 

Trouble is the laptop I have set him up with only has two USB ports - so, yet again, I need to think again. What works for you other folk with similar set ups?

[achedgy]

Just a side note, is it worth looking at airserver rather than an apple tv (presume it's been used for mirroring) save a box/splitter, cables etc. Keep things a little tidier

[achedgy]

At one school with limited space we have an acer veriton n281g, this hooks onto the back of an LED with a vesa mount, use a compact usb keyboard, keep things pretty neat and tidy

[ICTDirect_Dave]

How about one of these? http://www.ict-direct.co.uk/laptops-for-schools/laptops/hp-6910p-laptop.html

 

And we will throw you in the docking station for the teachers desk with the extra ports and room for an additional optical for £20

 

[sidewinder]

I've stopped using laptops for smartboards now, will be replacing current ones with desktops when they are due.

 

They look messy with cables coming out of all sides of the laptop, widescreen laptops are a nightmare with screen resolutions, and although it's as simple as pressing a button, there are always, always problems with switching the display output to clone.

 

Small desktops with a VGA splitter for me

[VeryPC_Colin_F]

Hi,

 

 

If you are looking to space save and a mini Pc on the back of a monitor (like a veriton but with a real cpu not a Atom) or tied to the desk is a good option, But if the room and board is used by other teachers a laptop to run the board is the best option as each teacher has there own work to work with. We can build a bespoke system with additional ports to suit your needs...

 

Hope that helps..