Interactive displays are everywhere in today’s world, transforming hybrid meeting sessions, enabling intuitive brainstorming experiences, and even enhancing education. The BenQ Board Pro promises to revolutionize the modern classroom, with a range of unique features.
Not only is this device one of the most effective “touchscreen” displays I’ve tried, comparable with the likes of the ultra-impressive Avacor E-Series, but it comes with built-in protections essential for today’s classrooms. For instance, the screens, pens, and controllers are fully germ resistant, and you even get built-in software to help you track air quality.
Here’s everything you need to know if you’re planning on investing in a new BenQ touchscreen for your educational setting.
Quick Verdict: Pros and Cons
The BenQ Board Pro is an impressive interactive display, with phenomenal visual fidelity, and high-precision touchscreen technology. It’s easy to use, great for BYOD, with tons of available connectivity options, and it’s one of the few screens that really does put health and safety first.
I even love the comprehensive software you get for device analytics, and account management. However, there are some potential downsides, such as the limited mounting options, and the lack of built-in webcams.
Pros:
- Exceptional health and safety features
- Energy-efficient performance
- Fantastic touchscreen functionality
- Extensive connectivity options
- Great integrated tools for IT admins
Cons:
- No integrated webcam
- Limited mounting options
BenQ Board Pro Review: Overview and Specs
The BenQ Board Pro is a touchscreen display specifically designed for educational settings – although I think it would be ideal for a wide range of hybrid meeting rooms too. It’s available in two sizes, (65”, and 75”), and comes packaged with a set of styluses, and an Android operating system.
Notably, although this screen does include built-in speakers and microphones, there’s no integrated webcam, so it’s not an “all-in-one” collaboration device, like the Microsoft Surface Hub 3. Still, it does include some features that other devices miss, such as an ambient light sensor, motion sensor, and air sensor, and an air ionizer.
Here’s a quick overview of the technical specifications:
- 3840 x 2160 pixel resolution display
- Germ-resistant and anti-glare coating
- High precision IR touchscreen technology (with up to 40 touch points)
- 8GB of memory and 64GB of storage
- Android 11 operating system
- 3 x HDMI, 2 x USB A, 1 x USB-C and 3.5mm connections
- Built-in Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections
- NFC, Motion, Ambient Light, and Air Sensors
- 2 x 16 watt speakers
- 8 microphone array
- Integrated software for whiteboarding, screen sharing, and device management
- 2 x styluses included
BenQ Board Pro Review: The Screen Design
Let’s start with a closer look at the screen quality. First, you get a fantastic 4K resolution from the BenQ Board Pro, so you know you’re going to end up with crisp, clear visuals. The color quality and contrast are excellent, and the display even has an anti-glare coating to protect your eyes. Plus, it promises low blue light and minimal flicker, for reduced visual fatigue.
On top of that, the BenQ Board Pro has a set of built-in Dolby Digital Plus speakers, for brilliant immersive audio. Plus, unlike some other collaboration displays on the market today, this screen is incredibly eco-friendly. All BenQ boards are Energy Star certified, and include power-saving features to help you monitor and reduce energy consumption.
What really makes the design of this screen stand out, in my opinion, are the added “ClassroomCare” features. BenQ has created this device with a specific focus on minimizing the spread of bacteria and germs. There’s an anti-microbial coating on the screen, as well as the buttons, front ports, styluses and remote control. You can also access an “air quality analytics” system on the device.
This shows you a central overview of air temperature, quality, and humidity in your environment. If you notice any issues, you can take advantage of the on-board air ionizer, which helps to automatically clear impurities from any space. If you’re looking for a display that helps to keep your students, or team healthy, then the BenQ Board is a great choice.
The Touchscreen Experience
I mentioned above that the BenQ Board Pro is one of the most intuitive touchscreens I’ve tried, and I stand by that. While there are plenty of great touchscreen options out there, like the Neat Board, few deliver the same highly accurate experience you get with the BenQ Board Pro.
This display can sense up to 40 touchpoints (double that of some competitors), and distinguish between your fingers, palms, and even the included styluses. Since there’s no glass gap between the panel and the stylus when you’re writing, whiteboarding feels incredibly intuitive.
You even get integrated whiteboarding technology, which you can access with just a tap of your stylus on the screen. The EZWrite 6 software includes classroom tools for various subjects, and allows you to save whiteboarding sessions in an instant to come back to them later.
