Smart boards have been integrated into classrooms for years, but how much do they cost? Click here to learn about and compare smart board prices.
Generally speaking, you should be budgeting between $2000.00 and $6000.00 for a quality smart board for your office space. The amount you spend will depend on the size, features and accessories you’re looking to add.
These are without a doubt the coolest new innovation in presentation technology today, and adding one to your meeting room instantly impresses guests and clients alike.
They also give your employees the same functionality they’re used to in their day-to-day lives from their smartphones and tablets. As Virgin.com recently wrote in a great blog called Privacy Pods and Other Architectural Office Trends to Look Out For:
“Acutely aware that the next generation employees are digital natives, used to different ways of working, sharing, and collaborating from an early age, employers are under increasing pressure to close the gap and make the workplace as technically up to speed as their employees’ homes.”
So let’s take a look at some of the factors that should be involved in your purchase decision.
What Screen Size Do You Need for Your Smart Board?
Generally speaking, most units start at about 56″ and go up to about 96″ in size.
The actual screen itself is LED technology. This means you’re going to get:
- Incredible image and text display quality
- Low power consumption
- Accurate response times
Also, most units will come with a very good or lifetime warranty on your screen.
What Type of Features Do I Need?
Most smart boards on the market today should allow you to:
- Enter text efficiently
- Take detailed notes
- Easily create virtual versions of flipcharts and other traditional presentation tools
You can do all this without annoying and messy ink markers. Most will require no special writing equipment needed and you will literally be able to write with your finger.
The popular features among most users include:
- It acts as an extension of your computer. Any tasks you can do on your laptop will be displayed and manipulated on the board
- You can store files locally on its internal memory
- Most have no proprietary software to download or install. Just plug-and-play. They also work perfectly with any computer using Windows, Mac, Linux
- TAA Compliant
The Top Best Selling Smart Boards
Smartboard SBM680
Size: 77 inches
Features: Adaptable and user-friendly gesture capability, which allows you to do more with the onscreen content.
Smartboard BOARDSBM685
Size: 87 inches
Features: Two different users can work instantly without having to switch to a multi-user mode or be forced to work in a confined area.
Smartboard SBX880
Size: 77 inches
Features: DViT(TM) (Digital Vision Touch) technology can distinguish between several different actions and respond accordingly.
Smartboard SBID8084i-G4-SMP
Size: 84 inches
Features: It offers 2 presence detection sensors that can detect people up to 16′ (5 m) away.
Smartboard SPNL-4084
Size: 84 inches
Features: 4K ultra-high-definition resolution display offers the best possible resolution.
Smartboard SPNL-6265-V2
Size: 65 inches
Features: 4K ultra-high-definition resolution for the crispest and most striking images.
Smartboard SPNL-6275
Size: 75 inches
Features: It offers 8 simultaneous touchpoints on Windows and Mac devices and full integration with most tablets and smartphones, and even Chromebooks.
Smartboard SBM680V
Size: 77 inches
Features: It can easily process two simultaneous touches, so two users can interact using the included pens or other objects, or by using their fingers to write and perform gestures.
Smartboard SBM685V
Size: 87
Features: Smooths out how digital ink looks on screen, which improves the legibility of a user’s handwriting.
Smartboard SB885E
Size: 87
Features: Cameras automatically identify when a user switches between their finger, fist or a pen.
Does My Office Need a Smart Board?
If you’re reading this, there is a good chance you do. You just may not be sure on which make and model you need.
Like most tools, it all depends on what you will be using it for. Here are some common applications, and how the smart board comes in handy.
Presentations
Anytime you want to present something with a bit of wow-factor. You can spice up some pretty plain numbers and analytics, with some more interactive features.
Training Sessions
Keep your audience’s attention longer and help them retain more of the information, with a more entertaining and engaging presentation.
Sales Pitches
When you don’t want to leave any expense spared to impress a client, use a smart board.
Don’t tell your clients that you’re cutting edge. Show them with videos and an interactive pitch.
Show them you take their business seriously and blow them away with more than just a PowerPoint deck.
Teleconferences
If stakeholders have to dial into the call remotely, put them on the big screen while multitasking through other features at the same time.
Town Halls
Again, this will allow remote stakeholders to dial in and be a prominent part of the meeting.
It also allows you to add everyone’s ideas and feedback to the board, so people can see their comments were noted and appreciated.
Creative Meetings/ Planning Sessions
Ideas will fly through the air at a fast and furious rate when your company’s best minds get together to collaborate.
There’s no time to worry about getting things down on an old-school whiteboard. Use a smart board to get them up and on record, so you can spend your time talking about them, not writing them down.
It also guarantees good record keeping, so nothing will be forgotten or missed when you send the meeting minutes/notes/ summary.
How Smart Boards are Better Than Whiteboards
I mean, it’s sort of asking why a landline with a rotary dial isn’t as good as the iPhone X. These two things really aren’t even in the same category. Especially comparing what they can do in the classroom.
It goes way beyond the difference between analog and digital things. It’s about the potential a smart board gives you.
Simply by seeing moving objects and graphics (versus blue ink on a white background), your audience will be more engaged. That means they:
- Are less likely to “wander off” mentally
- Are more likely to contribute
- Will retain more of the information presented
- Are more likely to feel like they contributed if they can see their words on the big screen
Are You Ready to Add a Smart Board to Your Office?
As you can see, they are an investment that will actually bring more value to nearly every meeting you have after buying one.
We can help you pick out the right technology and match it with an overall design for your office. You can click here to contact us anytime.