A Dry Erase Boards Purchasing Guide
You may think dry erase boards are a fairly straightforward subject, but there is a tremendous array of options available. It really all depends on the application.
While the dry erase board find primary application in business and education, households are also finding models and options that suit their needs, with options that allow for anything from quick notes to erasable graffiti and artwork.
The dry erase board has generally replaced the chalkboard as the standard medium for writing and displaying information to a large group. Millions of people have {begun to understand the value of whiteboards}. Users are finding these boards to be worth the price, as they create very little mess, have countless color options, and creative stylings.
Actually, prices have gone down considerably in recent years as manufacturers have increased production to meet the growing demand.
While it may seems like all dry erase boards are made of the same stuff, nothing could be further from the truth. Sure, it looks the same, but the materials used impact the performance considerably. Prices increase with boards that are more durable and made of better material. On the other hand, a high-quality board can be used for the life of a building without needing to be replaced, even with heavy use. These heavy-duty boards are typically made of stainless steel and have a porcelain surface covered over with a thick laminate. They’re every bit as heavy as old-style chalkboards and require firm, permanent mounting for safe use.
On the other extreme, less expensive dry erase boards are made from a variety of much less expensive, though less durable materials. Base materials include wood, cardboard, Masonite, particleboard, and stainless steel. These sometimes come in color options, going beyond plain white to virtually any color in the rainbow. Some boards are done with simplicity in mind, simply providing a thin steel surface with a light coat of laminate. Boards that are smaller often take on these variations because the market usually calls for more variety and personalization. Also, household users don’t normally need to use these products to display information in front of large groups of people, so the optics and contrast aren’t such strong issues for these users.
Whiteboards with a steel base or frame have the added advantage of being magnetic, allowing for easy placement of additional visual aids to augment whatever’s being presented on the board.
The electronic dry erase board is the pinnacle of technology for presentation. There are a few different companies that manufacture such boards, Panasonic being on of them. Different models come with a variety of options that dramatically improve the functionality over standard dry erase. Electronic boards often allow for instant digital imaging of that which is being written, in addition to whatever papers or other materials are stuck on it. This can eliminate or augment note-taking, allowing for the audience members to receive their own printout of what was presented on the board. This is extremely effective for complex presentations, allowing viewers to engage more completely in the live presentation. Some users find that PowerPoint, or similar programs which are the go-to option for digital recording of presentations, is far too sterile for some subjects. Electronic whiteboards are ideal for presentations that need to be digitally recorded, but which benefit from the kinetic energy of ideas being outlined in a visual way.
Whiteboards can also be adapted to suit a variety of applications. An example of an available option is lines printed horizontally across the board. These can be made into lines that are useful in musical instruction, or ruled lines for writing practice. Dry erase presentation boards can even be printed with a grid pattern for architectural, engineering, or mathematical purposes, or geographic maps for educational applications. Pre-printed boards are available which is great for things like athletic applications. These pre-printed lines save time and effort for users in these applications, providing reliably clean lines that do not erase and present the subject clearly.
Weigh your needs with the available options and prices and then choose carefully. Be sure to test the products themselves. This allows for a good buying decision based on real functionality and visibility for audiences in any setting.
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