I suppose I’m asking that question myself. I could buy an eBeam, Mimio or Onfinity Interactive Whiteboard and a cheap projector. Both my classrooms would then have one but over the summer, since my course on IWBs and since meeting representatives from Promethean and Smart and learning of all the advantages and disadvantages of all their products, I think it’s time I took a fresh look at the prices out there now.
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Most importantly, I will be comparing like for like. I was criticised, rightly, for comparing Promethean’s top-end IWB with an eBeam. I should have compared Promethean’s mid-range package which is on a fixed surface much like eBeam or other portable solutions.
So…to recap on prices. I am estimating the costs of the following parts of an IWB:
- A Projector – A decent one should not cost more than €700 these days. I do not see the advantage of a short throw projector, shadow-wise, having experienced a similar amount of shadow. Adding in a ceiling mount, we’ll bring it to €1,000.
- Speakers – €40-50 max
- Interactive Whiteboard Software – There’s a few decent ones out there for about €50
- The board itself – this may include all or some of the above.
- Promethean: Includes projector, board, speakers & software: around €3700
- Smart: Includes all the above: €3,700
- 3M: Includes all the above: €3,500
- EBeam: Board (€900 wireless) + Projector + Software + Speakers: €2,000
- Mimio: Board (€900 wireless) + Projector + Software + Speakers: €2,000
- Onfinity: Sold as a package with Rainbow Education: €2,600
0 thoughts on “September's over…so do we have enough money for an Interactive Whiteboard?”
The IWB is a fantastic tool and every school should have one !
You’ve mentioned a laptop for about €500. Well, I’ve been told by a colleague that the Credit Unions have an offer of a laptop with 3 years antivirus for about €650 deliverd and an option with all the Microsoft learning software (Maths, Encarta, Language translation, Office Enterprise etc) for €899. Sounds like good value and would compliment the IWB in the learning arena.
€650 is a bit steep for a school laptop in my opinion. Antivirus software can be free if you look in the right places – free.grisoft.com is one such place. I wonder would any of these new netbooks be any good with an IWB? It would have to be a Windows OS netbook of course.