We live in a digital world where technology is constantly advancing, and our devices are becoming obsolete quicker. But what does that mean for the devices which we have invested heavily on? For many businesses and educational institutions, keeping up with shifting environments means having to purchase expensive equipment to adapt. That being said, devices bought today will depreciate tomorrow.
However, it does not make economic sense to constantly update and upgrade each time a new model comes into the market. Especially for big ticket items such as Interactive Whiteboards.
Continue reading to find out how you can extend the life of your interactive whiteboard at your schools or offices. Or explore ViewSonic’s intuitive ViewBoard displays and mini desktop PCs for seamless hybrid classes and remote meetings.
An interactive flat-panel display is a large-format screen with intuitive touch capabilities and an ideal replacement for old-fashioned whiteboards or outdated projectors. They have the ability to access information on the web, share content with other devices, and even have built-in software to enhance collaborations and video conferences. They are a worthy investment for corporate and educational spaces to make the shift from an analog world to a digital one.
With making any investment, we would want to stretch the value of these devices for as long as possible. Instead of constantly replacing old models with newer ones every few years, there is a way to extend the product life of your interactive display. By doing so, this ensures that you would receive a higher return on investment.
So, how does one prolong an interactive display? There is one way to expand the interactive display’s many features and extend its life at the same time – and that is to connect it with a mini desktop PC.
What is a Mini Desktop PC?
You might be familiar with the Chromebox, which is a small form-factor desktop that can deliver PC performance over a Chrome operating system. It is also known as a mini desktop PC.
A mini desktop PC is basically a minicomputer that possesses most of the features and capabilities of a desktop computer or a laptop. It comprises of a central processing unit (CPU) for operation, memory card for data storage, and an operating system to run desktop programs. Mini desktop PCs are also decked with multiple ports so that they can be plugged into interactive flat-panel displays or touchscreen monitors.
Some mini desktops are equipped with platforms to download and install software applications. For example, the ViewBoard Box provides access to Android apps for education, productivity, and entertainment needs. This allows users to enjoy their favorite applications on the interactive display.
Designed for maximum portability, these mini PCs can be easily connected to any display or monitor to bring workstation-grade capabilities. You can store your documents within its internal storage and share them easily via a WiFi connection. This transforms the already powerful interactive display into a computer with added applications.
Benefits of Extending an Interactive Display’s Life
The connection of a mini PC can prolong the product life of an interactive display, bringing you a whole host of other benefits.
It enhances existing interactive displays
When you equip your displays with a mini PC, it revives the operating system by adding increased performance and speed – transforming the large flat-panel into a smart desktop. It also brings an entire collection of applications that can be used for productivity, entertainment, or collaboration purposes. For example, the ViewBoard Box offers Android apps that can downloaded and used on the interactive display. Users will be able to access their favorite apps and use them for lessons or meetings.
It helps bring down costs
By extending the product life of your interactive display, it also means you can replace them at a later stage. Instead of purchasing a new generation of devices each time they are released, you can continue using your existing models and invest the money in other tools and solutions. It doesn’t just increase the product life, it stretches your investment spent on the display.
It reduces electronic waste
Electronic waste, or e-waste, is the fastest-growing waste stream in the world. In 2019, Fortune magazine reported that about 53.6 million metric tons of e-waste was generated. The World Health Organization (WHO) has stressed the impact of e-waste on human health, especially children and expecting mothers. By extending the product life of your interactive display, you reduce the amount of e-waste being sent to landfills and help conserve the environment for future generations to come.
Final Thoughts
Keeping in touch with the latest technology does not mean constant purchases and wastage, it can just be a simple solution of adding another tool to enhance and extend the original device’s lifespan. In the case of an interactive display, a mini desktop PC can deliver additional periods of usage and even more features to play around with.
However, it is important to know that when your interactive panels or wireless presentations displays are too outdated for use, it would be more effective to replace them with a newer model. You should take note of how you dispose of electronic devices properly so as to not cause environmental pollution.
If you are keen to learn more about mini desktop PCs, you can check out ViewBoard Box or browse our interactive ViewBoard displays for all your collaboration needs.