Best Interactive Displays for Classrooms in 2022
- BenQ
- 2022-11-07
Many schools are looking to take advantage of the latest innovations in smart board interactive displays, without breaking the budget. While BenQ, Smart, and Promethean all have feature-rich premium classroom displays, we will take a look at how these three market leaders’ 2022 midrange models compare for schools transition from interactive whiteboards to interactive displays that don’t require a PC. We will try to provide a fair and honest comparison between these three products.
Touch & Whiteboard Functionality
Various top-tier educational institutions (e.g. Oxford University) are pioneering the use of interactive displays to improve student performance in hybrid learning environments. Such systems, often called “Interactive Flat Panel” are provided by various companies. While they share certain features, some stand out from the crowd thanks to their unique advantages.
Each of these displays comes with advanced touchscreen software that allows teachers to create and load interactive whiteboard (.IWB) lesson files so teachers can reuse lessons from their old interactive boards.
What are the new features – and the differences between the BenQ, Promethean, and SMART Technologies MX displays?
Available to import PowerPoint, Word, Excel, PDF, and IWB files
Touch Sensor Technology
To better simulate the experience of using a real marker, BenQ, SMART, and Promethean interactive displays use advanced infrared (IR) touch systems that enable near-instant response and a smooth, intuitive writing experience.
BenQ displays use a system called Fine IR, that is optically bonded to the glass and supports up to 40 touchpoints. It’s available on models such as the RM03 Board Master series. SMART and Promethean call their technology HyprTouch and Vellum, respectively. Both support 20 or more points of touch and handwriting recognition.
The BenQ RM series packs Fine IR sensors that are optically bonded to the glass and supports up to 40 touchpoints
Cloud Whiteboarding
All SMART Board MX075, Promethean ActivePanel Nickel, ViewSonic IFP52, and BenQ RM03 interactive displays come with built-in whiteboarding software that can open any lesson stored in the standard .IWB format. However, the innovative cloud-based whiteboarding enables teachers and students to actively participate in class and co-create the class content from any location, on any network.
BenQ developed the world’s first dynamic cloud whiteboarding system in a classroom display. Using this feature, a teacher can also allow the student to either watch or interact with the board remotely from their own device. The system is network- and software-agnostic, which enables unprecedented flexibility to both teachers and students that complement other common classroom systems such as Zoom or Teams. There are no additional licensing fees for this software for the life of the display.
The other classroom displays such as the SMART MX do not come with any integrated cloud whiteboarding software but may offer separate PC software programs where students can access a lesson online. These may have additional subscription costs that should be factored into the display.
| Whiteboard Functionality | BenQ Board RM03 | SMART Board MX |
Promethean ActivPanel Nickel |
ViewSonic ViewBoard IFP52 1C |
Whiteboard Functionality Touch Sensor | BenQ Board RM03 Fine IR Zero Bond Optical Touch Sensor | SMART Board MX HyprTouch Zero Bond Optical Touch Sensor | Promethean ActivPanel Nickel Vellum Zero Bond Optical Touch Sensor | ViewSonic ViewBoard IFP52 1C Zero Bond Optical Touch Sensor |
Whiteboard Functionality Touch Points | BenQ Board RM03 Up to 40 | SMART Board MX Up to 20 | Promethean ActivPanel Nickel Up to 15 | ViewSonic ViewBoard IFP52 1C Up to 33 |
Whiteboard Functionality Cloud Whiteboarding | BenQ Board RM03 Included at no cost | SMART Board MX 1 Year Subscription | Promethean ActivPanel Nickel Optional Class Flow for Schools Subscription | ViewSonic ViewBoard IFP52 1C Not in cluded |
Classroom & Lesson Recording Functionality
Research at the University of Albany showed that students who have used recorded lessons do substantially better than those who don’t. So what should you look for to ensure your teachers can easily store and share their lessons?
Recorded lessons enhance the student learning experience
How easy is it to record the lesson from the BenQ, SMART, and Promethean displays?
BenQ interactive displays enable instant recording directly on the board from any application with a single two-finger tap. This intuitive user interface enables a teacher to record any lesson without having to open another application. Just tap the screen and hit record – it’s that simple. These lessons can be saved on the display storage or on a cloud/network drive using Account Management System (Learn more about Tap ‘N Teach technology here).
SMART, ViewSonic, and Promethean ActivPanel Nickel do not come with screen recording functionality as part of the display. Teachers may need to instead switch to their PC (if they are not using an OPS- a slot-in computer), open an app, and configure the settings to record a lesson.
Teachers have known the most effective lessons combine both visual and audio information. So how well do these new mainstream interactive displays capture the teacher’s voice?
A two finger tap on the screen enables BenQ's Floating Tool to instantly start recording
Array Microphone and Speakers
The BenQ RM03 interactive display comes with a 6-microphone array built-in, capable of recording the teacher’s voice from 15 feet away (learn more about array microphones here). This system features an advanced sound recognition software similar to a smartphone that cancels out background noise and “follows” the teacher as they move around the room.
While ViewSonic applies a similar system to their product, neither the SMART Board MX nor the Promethean ActivPanel Nickel come with any built-in microphone. This means a school will need to make an additional investment in audio capture technology for hybrid learning, which enables the microphone to be moved with the display.
| Classroom and Lesson Recording | BenQ Board RM03 | SMART Board MX | Promethean ActivPanel Nickel | ViewSonic ViewBoard IFP52 1C |
Classroom and Lesson Recording Recording method | BenQ Board RM03 Simple Two Finger Tap from any application | SMART Board MX The teacher must open and set up the PC app to record | Promethean ActivPanel Nickel The teacher must open and set up the PC app to record | ViewSonic ViewBoard IFP52 1C The teacher must be using a PC app to record |
Classroom and Lesson Recording Integrated microphone | BenQ Board RM03 Noise Cancelling Array microphone | SMART Board MX None | Promethean ActivPanel Nickel None | ViewSonic ViewBoard IFP52 1C Noise Cancelling Array microphone |
Classroom and Lesson Recording Speakers | BenQ Board RM03 32 Watt Soundbar | SMART Board MX 40 Watt Soundbar | Promethean ActivPanel Nickel 30 Watt Soundbar | ViewSonic ViewBoard IFP52 1C 30-Watt Soundbar w/ Sub-woofer |
Teacher & Student Safety Features
The best classroom displays carry a variety of important safety features on each display such as anti-glare heat-tempered hardened glass that is designed to shatter into small pieces if broken to reduce the hazard of a student suffering a deep cut on exposed glass. Here are the other major safety features commonly found in classroom interactive displays
To enhance eye comfort, the BenQ Board RM series comes with an anti-glare screen, low blue light filter, and flicker-free technology
Antimicrobial Coatings
Antimicrobial coatings are used in surgical lighting and other sensitive areas to keep germs from growing on the display. These antimicrobial coatings must be carefully applied and baked onto the glass.
The BenQ RM03 series has been certified by Europe’s TÜV against the five most common types of bacteria, including e. Coli, Salmonella, and pneumonia. The BenQ display is also certified as classroom safe and toxin-free under Japan’s SIAA standard tests for potential risks such as long-term touch and oral toxicity. BenQ offers the same antimicrobial protection on the pens for enhanced student and teacher safety.
Blue Light Protection
Integrating an interactive display as the main platform of a class increases exposure to digital screens, which traditionally generate blue light. Exposure to blue light causes eye fatigue and dryness, and may also lead to serious vision problems. The BenQ RM series features low blue light technology to protect students and teachers’ eyes. This technology is also certified by TÜV, and can be easily toggled and controlled from display settings.
The SMART Board MX and Promethean Nickel do not have any blue light reduction technology certifications.
LED-Flicker
A unique feature of the BenQ and ViewSonic interactive displays is the use of flicker-free screen lighting makes long-term use of the board much easier on one’s eyes. Many LED-powered displays can have a nearly invisible flicker that can be harmful to the eyes. The BenQ has been tested and certified by TÜV for flicker-free performance.
The SMART Board MX and Promethean ActivPanel do not have any flicker-free technology certifications.
Anti-glare
Low blue light
Flicker-free
| Teacher and Student Safety Features | BenQ Board RM03 | SMART Board MX | Promethean ActivPanel Nickel | ViewSonic ViewBoard IFP52 1C |
Teacher and Student Safety Features Antimicrobial Glass Germ Certifications | BenQ Board RM03 TÜV Certifications (5) SIAA Toxin Free | SMART Board MX No Antimicrobial glass is available | Promethean ActivPanel Nickel No Antimicrobial glass is available | ViewSonic ViewBoard IFP52 1C No Antimicrobial glass is available |
Teacher and Student Safety Features Antimicrobial Pens | BenQ Board RM03 Yes | SMART Board MX No | Promethean ActivPanel Nickel No | ViewSonic ViewBoard IFP52 1C No |
Teacher and Student Safety Features Blue Light Protection | BenQ Board RM03 Yes TÜV Certified | SMART Board MX No | Promethean ActivPanel Nickel No | ViewSonic ViewBoard IFP52 1C Yes |
Teacher and Student Safety Features Flicker-Free Backlight | BenQ Board RM03 Yes TÜV Certified | SMART Board MX No | Promethean ActivPanel Nickel No | ViewSonic ViewBoard IFP52 1C Yes |
Device Management Systems
Managing a large number of classroom interactive displays requires an effective remote management software system or Device Management Systems (DMS). Both BenQ and SMART offer systems that permit admins to push settings, updates, apps, and campus-wide text messages to any or all boards in their network.
The BenQ board comes with an additional service called X-Sign Broadcast that has the ability to broadcast graphics as well as video streams to the display, making it a perfect tool for morning announcements.
In addition, for schools that have both projectors and interactive displays, the BenQ DMS will enable scheduling and control of nearly any projector in addition to the displays, making it easier for IT to manage their facilities. There are also no subscription fees with any BenQ display.
BenQ Device management systems (DMS) make it easy for IT managers to remotely manage a large number of classroom interactive displays
| Device Management System | BenQ DMS & X-Sign | SMART Remote Management | Promethean ActivPanel Nickel | ViewSonic ViewBoard IFP52 1C |
Device Management System Interactive Display Control & Monitoring | BenQ DMS & X-Sign Yes | SMART Remote Management Yes | Promethean ActivPanel Nickel Yes | ViewSonic ViewBoard IFP52 1C Yes |
Device Management System Remote App Management | BenQ DMS & X-Sign Yes | SMART Remote Management Yes | Promethean ActivPanel Nickel Yes | ViewSonic ViewBoard IFP52 1C Yes |
Device Management System Multimedia Message Broadcast | BenQ DMS & X-Sign Yes | SMART Remote Management Text Only | Promethean ActivPanel Nickel No – Requires third party SW | ViewSonic ViewBoard IFP52 1C Text Only |
Device Management System Task Scheduling | BenQ DMS & X-Sign Yes | SMART Remote Management Yes | Promethean ActivPanel Nickel Yes | ViewSonic ViewBoard IFP52 1C Yes |
Device Management System Display Analytics | BenQ DMS & X-Sign Yes | SMART Remote Management Yes | Promethean ActivPanel Nickel Yes | ViewSonic ViewBoard IFP52 1C Yes |
Device Management System Projector Support | BenQ DMS & X-Sign Yes – including Epson, NEC, and Maxell projectors | SMART Remote Management No | Promethean ActivPanel Nickel No | ViewSonic ViewBoard IFP52 1C Yes |
Device Management System License timeframe | BenQ DMS & X-Sign Lifetime of Display | SMART Remote Management Not Specified | Promethean ActivPanel Nickel Not Specified | ViewSonic ViewBoard IFP52 1C 5 Years |
Teacher Log in & Cloud Access
For Teachers: Account Management and Logging-In
Out of the four compared models, only BenQ RM03 and the SMART MX can be set up to enable teachers to securely log into the display and access network and cloud files directly from the display. However, there is a substantial difference between the two, and the BenQ system makes it both easier to setup for the IT manager – and more secure for the teacher.
Here’s how it works:
The IT manager creates a teacher account in BenQ’s Account Management System software database by linking it to their Active Directory infrastructure. This enables the teacher to personalize their display, but restricts other settings (such as changing the network or installing age-inappropriate apps loaded on the panel).
Once set up, BenQ device accounts are set up for each teacher, and can be easily accessed with the help of Tap ‘N Teach technology (Learn more about Tap ‘N Teach here)
The best part about BenQ’s Tap N’ Teach is how easy and fast it is for a teacher to use. The teacher points their phone to the QR code on the screen, securely types in their password on their device, and the display is instantly personalized for that teacher, complete with background, apps, and network connection. Google, Microsoft OneNote, and school network drives are automatically connected as well. When they are finished, they simply tap the display again and the device returns to its generic state. Any teacher can use any panel at any time with full access to their lessons – all without a PC.
Some classroom displays use the on-screen keyboard – forcing the teacher to type in their password on the screen. Others, such as the SMART MX display, need a SMART account for the system to connect to their Google Drive and other resources. This could make it difficult if a school wants to use a competitive curriculum in the future to improve student performance.
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Scan a QR code displayed on the screen and log in through your phone safely
| Teacher Login and Cloud Access | BenQ Tap ‘N Teach | SMART Board MX | Promethean ActivPanel Nickel | ViewSonic ViewBoard IFP52 1C |
Teacher Login and Cloud Access Access Google Drive from the panel | BenQ Tap ‘N Teach Yes | SMART Board MX Yes | Promethean ActivPanel Nickel Yes | ViewSonic ViewBoard IFP52 1C Yes |
Teacher Login and Cloud Access QR Code Secure Login | BenQ Tap ‘N Teach Yes | SMART Board MX With Companion App | Promethean ActivPanel Nickel No | ViewSonic ViewBoard IFP52 1C No |
Teacher Login and Cloud Access Active Directory support for Account Management | BenQ Tap ‘N Teach Yes | SMART Board MX No | Promethean ActivPanel Nickel No | ViewSonic ViewBoard IFP52 1C No |
So, Which Best Interactive Board Is Better for Me in 2022?
While all four models share similar features such as 4K resolution, can open and save .IWB files, and offer wireless screen mirroring, understanding the key differences will help you decide which brand of interactive touch display will be right for your classroom.
It’s important to do research and consult important stakeholders before deciding which board your school district should adopt.
There are some major advantages that BenQ brings to the table that can make a difference to a school that might want more flexibility in its curriculum. When deciding on your chosen solution, consider the following differences:
- The BenQ RM series packs Fine IR sensors that are optically bonded to the glass and supports up to 40 touchpoints.
- The BenQ display comes with an integrated cloud whiteboarding software ecosystem that works without any subscriptions or needs a PC connection.
- The BenQ has more advanced classroom safety features, including anti-microbial glass, pens, certified blue light filters, and a flicker-free screen that helps protect the user’s vision.
- BenQ’s Tap ‘N Teach QR Code technology enables instant, wireless, secure teacher login – and even integrates with Active Directory. With a single tap, a teacher can transform any board on campus into a personalized interactive board in under 10 seconds.
- BenQ Device Management software allows school IT admins to manage BenQ displays, projectors, and even equipment from legacy brands including Epson, NEC, Hitachi, and Casio, without requiring a subscription.
- BenQ panels are designed and tested to run a wide variety of classroom education curricula including SMART Notebook, Google Classroom (EZWrite Web), and dozens of other curriculum software platforms to enable curriculum directors’ flexibility to use their preferred software to increase student performance.