REplacing SmartBoard 500's

[MattDLEA]

Just looking for some advice on replacing our 13 year old smartboard 500's that are slowly dying.

 

We have recently purchased an interactive TV which works OK in the small room its in, but we think that replacing the classrooms boards with them would be far to expensive.

As a SMART school would the only option be to go with a SMARTboard something newer like the SB680's or what would you recommend.

Staff here are reluctant of change.

[witch]

We have a couple of cheap Genee boards in areas that are too small for our interactive boards -

They seem to work well and I think they have the Smart software on.

[sted]

iirc the 680 is a discountined model and the new smartboards are all of the "tin" variety with 1 (or sometimes 2) pens and ive not found a single teacher who thinks they are anything other than nasty. They use cameras now rather than a soft membrane and they need later software to work and again most staff seem to find easlier versions much better

[TinyGreenPC]

Hi. You could also usea LCD Touch Screen (65'' for example). They are cost-efficient, low powerand easy to use. The children can touch the screen, really handy forinteractive learning.

[Chrisbf1]

At the moment cost of the LCD's screens seems so much, as compared to a traditional board installation. You really do not want to go smaller than 55" and that is expensive and lets face it the newest boards the SBM680 is 77". Unless you go for SMART LCD's they sting you on the cost of Notebook license.

Other thoughts are they are really heavy so will need a specialist installer and bat-toning. Also if a SB680 or equivalent breaks you would be unlucky if the projector breaks at the same time. If an LCD panel goes you maybe faced with a big bill.

Having said all that, i think the LCD's are the way to go. I think that the tech is not quite there yet and this might be you are waiting till the next refresh cycle.

[localzuk]

We've moved away from using specific boards to using Epson EB-485wi interactive projectors. We have also bought a a site license covering all our teaching rooms for SMART Notebook on any type of interactive device.

 

For us, this has worked out as follows:

 

£1000 for the projector

£280 for SMART Notebook (including 4 years advantage/upgrade cover)

£50 for a cabling loom

£10 for trunking etc...

£100-£150 for speakers (depending on the room and space)

£70 for a normal whiteboard

 

So, total cost for a room £1560 maximum.

 

Advantages that we've seen is, reduced clutter in the room - no need for a pole hanging from the ceiling. No need to pay for installation - its a few wall bolts to mount the projector and a bit of trunking. My technician, aided by the site manager can do an install in about 2 hours. Not tied to one specific brand of anything.

 

It compares quite favourably to getting a traditional board + projector + mount installed in my experience.

 

We've also got 3 65" CleverTouch LCD screens in rooms around the school. As much as I like them, they are still just that bit too expensive IMO. We paid about £3000 for each one IIRC, but they have come down in price considerably since then (I believe you can get a iiyama model for £2300), so you never know, we may end up looking at them again next time round!

[MattDLEA]

Is it possible to get a demo of an interactive projector... the school seams quite keen on it

[VeryPC_Ross]

Hey @MattDLEA

 

I’d be happy to take a look at your AV / Interactive Projector requirement and arrange a demo for you. A PM will shortly be on its way!

 

We have some products and bundles listed here to give you a rough idea of choice and list cost. (There will be an education and qty discount of the list prices, the bundles are already discounted):

• Interactive Projectors - https://shop.very-pc.co.uk/interactive/interactive-projector

• Bundle including installation - https://shop.very-pc.co.uk/interactive/interactive-bundles

With respect to interactive projectors there are 3 vendors I’d suggest taking a look at. I have summarised a quick overview of the options out there and the bundled inking software included in the box.

 

Hitachi

• Hitachi Starboard inking software

• Generally lower capital cost for projector, shorter bulb life vs Epson

• 2700 lumen version (TW2503) https://shop.very-pc.co.uk/interactive/interactive-projector/hitachi-cp-tw2503

• 3300 Lumen version (TW3003)

• Pen only input but there is option for a “laser curtain” that allows finger touch for around £250 - however I have not seen one in action.

Epson

• Comes with Epson Easy Tools inking software

• Higher capital cost than Hitachi but longer bulb life than Hitachi

• Example of 3300 Lumen option - https://shop.very-pc.co.uk/interactive/interactive-projector/epson-eb-585wi

• Epson do two types of projector;

o Pen Only - 2700 lumen version (EB-575Wi), 3300 lumen versions (EB-585Wi)

o Dual Pen and finger multi touch - 3300 Lumen (EB-595Wi ) and the (EB-1430Wi)

• Key benefit of EB-14xx is it can be used as whiteboard without PC and saved to local USB (not 100% sure when this function will be used in a class though…)

SMART

• Comes with SMART Notebook + 1yr Advantage subscription

• Highest capital cost, built in speakers are decent, bulb life/warranty similar to Hitachi

• 4 point touch 2 Pen and 2 Finger

• 2700 lumen 60wi, https://shop.very-pc.co.uk/interactive/interactive-projector/smart-slr60wi

• 3000 Lumen 60wi2, https://shop.very-pc.co.uk/interactive/interactive-projector/smart-slr60wi2

• Option - Light Raise remote control http://downloads01.smarttech.com/media/sitecore/en/support/product/interactiveprojectors/lightraise60wi/specifications/specsxcpv20feb13.pdf

As @localzuk showed, SMART Notebook can be purchased and licenced on a non-smart device, so it means you are flexible to hardware choice if you need SMART Notebook.

 

Working out which projector is best for you will probably be influenced by the following factors:

• Budget?

• Number of touch points required?

• Do teachers want/need smart notebook if this is the software they are used to?

Hope this helps!

 

Cheers

 

Ross