comparing+IWBs

Mechanical Height Adjustment: rooms with K-8 clientele?  CALGARY, AB --- December 22, 2009 --- SMART Technologies announces the next generation of height-adjustment accessories for SMART Board 600i interactive whiteboard systems. The SMART Mobile Height-Adjustable Floor Stand for UX projector systems (FS–UX) works with the SMART Board 685ix interactive whiteboard system. Using an electric-powered mechanism, the SMART Height-Adjustable Wall Mount (HAWM–UF) enables quick and simple height adjustment for all SMART Board interactive whiteboard systems, including the 685ix, 685i3, 660i3 and 680i3. Both the FS–UX and HAWM–UF have a height-adjustable range of 25" (63 cm) to improve sightlines, accommodate seated users or users of different heights and enhance interactivity for users with physical restrictions. The FS–UX and HAWM–UF will begin shipping globally in spring 2010.

The SMART Mobile Height-Adjustable Floor Stand enables simple sharing of systems between classrooms, training rooms or meeting rooms. It is also ideal for learning and meeting areas where space is limited or where mounting the SMART Board interactive whiteboard to the wall is not feasible. The floor stand is certified to all CSA (Canadian Standards Association), UL (Underwriters Laboratories) and EC (European Conformity) safety standards. Once positioned, easy-to-control casters lock into place to ensure the floor stand does not move during use. The stand will accommodate a small form factor desktop computer, and an optional laptop shelf is available for users wishing to connect their laptops. The SMART Height-Adjustable Wall Mount offers greater height-adjustment range than the previous model, which moved 20" (50 cm) up and down. The wall mount also supports widescreen interactive whiteboards and weighs less than its predecessor.

“As learning and meeting environments become more diverse, flexibility becomes more important,” says Nancy Knowlton, SMART’s CEO. “Using the SMART Mobile Height-Adjustable Floor Stand or SMART Height-Adjustable Wall Mount means that users of all heights and abilities can take advantage of the interactivity provided by our SMART Board interactive whiteboard systems.”


 * SMART Mobile Height-Adjustable Floor Stand for UX projector systems (FS–UX) features **


 * Adjustable height** – Electric height adjustment enables anyone to quickly and easily adjust the interactive whiteboard height up and down 25" (63 cm)


 * Large display support** – Supports widescreen interactive whiteboard systems of 87" (221 cm) on the diagonal


 * Mobile** – Equipped with four swivel, locking casters


 * Additional storage space** – Available space at the rear of the stand accommodates a small form factor desktop computer


 * Optional laptop shelf** – Supports one laptop computer for those users wishing to connect directly or wirelessly


 * SMART Height-Adjustable Wall Mount (HAWM–UF) features **


 * Adjustable height** – Electric height adjustment enables anyone to quickly and easily adjust the interactive whiteboard height up and down 25" (63 cm)


 * Large display support** – Supports widescreen interactive whiteboard systems of 87" (221 cm) on the diagonal


 * Pricing and availability **

The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) for the SMART Mobile Height-Adjustable Floor Stand for UX projector systems is approximately $1,400 (to be confirmed upon release). The MSRP for the SMART Height-Adjustable Wall Mount is approximately $800 (to be confirmed upon release). The MSRP and suggested education list price in all other regions will depend on applicable taxes, duties and import costs. Both the SMART Mobile Height-Adjustable Floor Stand and SMART Height-Adjustable Wall Mount will be available from authorized SMART resellers in spring 2010. Pricing for the bundled purchase of a SMART Board 685ix interactive whiteboard system with the mobile stand will also be available. For more information and a list of authorized SMART resellers, visit smarttech.com.


 * Image **

To see an image of the SMART Mobile Height-Adjustable Floor Stand for UX projector systems, click here. For an image of the SMART Height-Adjustable Wall Mount, click here. The FS–UX and HAWM–UF may not be exactly as shown.

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 * For more information, please contact:**

Public Relations SMART Technologies Phone 403.407.5088 Fax 403.228.2500 E-mail pr@smarttech.com Web smarttech.com

From Ellen: I am gathering comparisons from some of my listservs - if I am reading some of the information correctly it looks like the Smartboards are soft and Interwrite is hard... meaning you can use your finger to write on the Smartboard - but the InterWrite also acts like a regular whiteboard and you can use whiteboard markers when you are not using it as an interactive - does anyone else know about this?

From Kansas: We have InterWrite boards and I have used SmartBoards. The Interwrite boards are fine - but they are also cheaper than SmartBoards & you get what you pay for. The software doesn't do quite as much, and you have to use the pens, as opposed to students being able to touch with their fingers to operate them. Of course, the "Cadillac" of boards is the Promethean, which is even more expensive. I suggest you get as much as you can afford. Our clickers are Interwrite Products, as is my Mobi, so they all talk to each other very well. Of course you can always purchase the software for the other products to use on whatever board you have. I find the Interwrite Board does everything I ask of it, so I'm happy with it, but I'm not sure the math teacher would be as happy if he saw the SmartBoard software & what it can do.

From CA: Hi Ellen, Our school started with Smartboards and as we have grown the district started to purchase Interwrite tablets instead of the Smartboards. This has been a huge topic of discussion at our site through the past couple of years.

Smartboards are highly interactive and very user friendly. Students can easily come up to the board and manipulate what ever is being presented. The Notebook software is fantastic and also very user friendly. I don't think I will ever make another Power Point presentation for a lesson again. It has great templates and you can find them 'out there' on the net now as well. I see Smartboards more as a student learning tool.

Interwrites are less expensive but have a little bit bigger learning curve. It takes some practice to really get the hang of it. And like Michal stated, the software isn't as user friendly as the Notebook software that comes with a Smartboard. The pen tips sometimes break and the pad and pen always have to be charged and ready to go. I see these more as a teacher tool or presentation tool, than an interactive with students tool.

We have also noticed that the elementary/ middle school teachers tend to like the Smartboards better, while the higher level like the Interwrite pads. I got so excited about the Notebook software that the third grade teacher at my site downloaded the Notebook software and uses the Interwrite pad to present it.

Hope this helps a little. If I could choose I would go Smartboard. Cheri Ceres, CA