iPads are hot again. With the introduction of the all-new iPad Pro models that eliminate the old touch ID button, the new $599 iPad Air and the 10th-generation iPad for $449 attract more people than ever to use them as either a supplemental or primary business computer. One major application for these devices is collaborating using either Keynote, or the iPad version of PowerPoint, with one or two people via the screen itself, or on a large display using one of the latest wireless presentation systems. With over 30 different wireless presentation systems to choose from, which is the best for iPad users and why?
According to the Commercial Integrators “Deep Dive” report, a whopping 97% of respondents said they wanted something easy to use as a key part of their collaboration system, resulting in a flexible and simple setup. The overriding message is that users want a collaboration system that is as easy to use as an iPad itself.
Apple users value simplicity, so we designed InstaShow to be as easy to use as possible. For example, if you want to connect an iPad Pro to a projector using an InstaShow WDC10C or WDC20C, you just plug in a USB-C button to your iPad and start presenting in seconds. No apps needed, just plug & play. Additionally, InstaShow works with other models using an HDMI to Lightning adapter. With the InstaShow WDC20 and WDC30, you can use the built-in Apple AirPlay function, as well as the InstaShare app to mirror your screen wirelessly.
Creative professionals consistently utilize iPads, such as engineers, scientists, photographers, and realtors, who typically have other equipment such as cameras, media players, and technical instruments that may need to connect to a wireless collaboration system. With InstaShow, you can connect nearly any device (such as a digital camera or media player) that outputs HDMI to a projector or flat panel display simply by plugging in a button, or adapter. When multiple presenters want to take turns to screen mirror their contents, just tap the button. With InstaShow WDC20 and WDC30 you can even display four different sources on the screen at the same time.
Many wireless presentation systems rely on corporate Wi-Fi networks to connect an iPad or other devices to a projector via a proprietary app. While this eliminates any need for hardware it comes at the cost of being much more complicated to set up.
For example, one popular wireless HDMI system requires over 40 network port configurations and up to 25Mbps of bandwidth for each user on the system, then add in a yearly subscription to make sure it stays up to date.
The alternative is a system that is super easy to set up, and most YouTube reviews show how the device can be set up live on camera. Because InstaShow doesn’t require any dedicated network connectivity, it is as easy as plugging in a receiver to the display and setting the buttons up on the meeting room desk in a typical corporate or classroom environment.
Fast, Easy & Worry-Free Wireless Presentation System BenQ InstaShow WDC30
While there are many choices for wireless presentation systems, including just adding an Apple TV, we will look at the top-selling commercial wireless presentation systems for corporate and education collaboration and how they stack up.
Products |
BenQ InstaShow |
Barco Clickshare |
Airtame |
Products Models | BenQ InstaShow WDC10/WDC10C WDC20/WDC20C WDC30 | Barco Clickshare C-5 C-10 | Airtame Airtame 2 |
Products Easy to use (iPad Connection options) | BenQ InstaShow USB-C Button* HDMI Button AirPlay** InstaShow App** | Barco Clickshare USB-C Button ClickShare App AirPlay | Airtame Airtame App |
Products Easy to set up | BenQ InstaShow Very Easy
| Barco Clickshare Complicated
| Airtame Complicated
|
Products Supported devices | BenQ InstaShow Mac OS iOS Windows Android Chromebook Media players Linux devices Any HDMI device | Barco Clickshare Mac OS iOS Windows Android | Airtame Mac OS iOS Windows Android Chromebook Linux |
Products Security | BenQ InstaShow 128-bit encryption | Barco Clickshare 128-bit encryption | Airtame No encryption |
Products # of presenters on the screen at once | BenQ InstaShow Up to four | Barco Clickshare Up to two | Airtame One |
*Available for InstaShow WDC10C and WDC20C
**Available for InstaShow WDC20/WDC20C and WDC30
InstaShow delivers the kind of simplicity and user experience that resonates with Apple users. The system works without having to be trained or having an IT guy hovering around your meeting to make sure it goes smoothly. When the co-founder of MacSources reviewed InstaShow, she found that she was “able to get the entire system and my screen displayed on our office television within about 5 minutes”. MyMac.com also awarded InstaShow the coveted Nemo’s MyMac Tech Innovation of the Year 2019 Award for its ease of use and high levels of security.
The latest InstaShow WDC30 also offers the ability to use either Airplay or the InstaShare app for flexibility on how you want to connect to your projector or flat panel. It can even display four different presenters on one screen (or up to eight presenters on two screens) at the same time, and every transmission out of InstaShow is highly secure.
This article discusses the alternatives to using proprietary software to share content on a display as companies transition from formal meeting rooms to creative collaboration environments.