Are Chromebooks compatible with ActivInspire?

[craigGIS]

Would like to get teachers off of old desktop pcs and onto new Acer Chromebook 515s. Are Chromebooks incompatible with ActivInspire software--I was told so by a Promethean support specialist?

[DavR]

That is correct, you cannot run ActivInspire on a Chromebook.

 

You can run a free web-based alternative called Promethean Classflow, which I think allows you to import and convert your old flipcharts, but doesn't work with them natively.

 

Are you planning to run those Chromebooks connected to flat panel screens in classrooms? Depending on the kit available, you might find it easier to use the built-in web browser and presentation apps on the screens and dispense with the Chromebooks...

[craigGIS]

Thank you DaveR. The teacher uses an ActivBoard 378pro, with an digital projector (connected from PC via HDMI cable) to project onto it. She doesn't want to lose student's ability to be interactive with the board and uses ActivInspire with her flipchart files. Would you recommend then Promethean Classflow as a suitable substitute for ActivInspire so we can use the new Chromebook rather than her aging desktop?

[DavR]

Ah, OK. I haven't tried connecting a Chromebook to an old-style ActivBoard, although Promethean seem to suggest it would work.

 

I've not tried Classflow myself, we stuck with desktops and regular ActivInspire. It's free to create a Classflow account though, so I'd try it and see if it suits your needs - https://classflow.com/en-gb/

[phillyrovers]

This needs splitting into 2 questions:

1. Can Classflow be used as an alternative for ActivInspire on a ChromeOS.

 

Classflow would be the teachers best alternative for ActivInspire, as ClassFlow can import .flipchart files and still be used interactively.

 

2. Can an older 378Pro ActivBord work on a ChromeOS - This one would depend on the firmware version installed on the board, it will have to be the HID version as ChromeOS does not allow the installation of of third party drivers the ActivBoard will need to be triggered into HID mode via the firmware installation.

 

This is also a completely untested and unsupported scenario, so if it does not work there is nothing Promethean can do to rectify it as those older ActivBoards where never designed to work on ChromeOS.

 

The post referenced above is only for ActivBoard Touch, which are support in chromeOS, your ActivBoard is even older than that though hence why it may not work.

[craigGIS]

Thank you Phillyrovers---could you walk me through how to trigger the ActivBoard into the HID mode?