Convenience and affordability hallmarks of new SMART Board 600i interactive whiteboard system
CALGARY, Alberta --- January 9, 2008 --- SMART Technologies announces the new SMART Board™ 600i interactive whiteboard system, SMART’s most convenient and affordable interactive whiteboard system. This second-generation integrated system combines the SMART Board 680 interactive whiteboard with the new Unifi™ 45 projector and will cost 25 percent less than the original system.
Launched in 2006, the SMART Board 600i interactive whiteboard system quickly became one of the most sought-after classroom solutions. Its short-throw, high-offset projector reduced shadows cast onto the interactive whiteboard, and with the projector connected directly above the interactive whiteboard, there was no need for complicated wiring, ceiling mounting or the installation of a power outlet in the ceiling. The new system builds on those strengths and, with extensive input from teachers, features a number of enhancements for a much lower price. The Unifi 45 projector offers a brighter image and true color quality, and its unique collapsible boom protects the system from deliberate damage. The control panel below the interactive whiteboard allows teachers to turn the entire system on or off with one button, eliminating the need for a remote control. Teachers can easily connect computers or switch between peripherals, such as MP3 players, document cameras and DVD players. They can also add hardware to the system to best meet the needs of their students. The addition of the new SMART classroom audio system or USB speakers allows teachers to turn the system into a complete multimedia center. They can also easily add the height-adjustable wall mount to adjust the height of the interactive whiteboard so that all students can use it.
“Integration and ease of use are two factors that are top of mind for teachers and technology coordinators as the adoption of technology accelerates in classrooms around the world,” says Nancy Knowlton, SMART’s CEO. “With the new 600i system, we have incorporated customer feedback to provide a highly affordable solution that makes teaching and learning in a 21st-century classroom fun and engaging.”
Features
Unifi 45 projector – Mounted securely to the wall above the SMART Board interactive whiteboard, the Unifi projector has XGA resolution (1024x768 pixels) and a brighter display (2,000 lumens). The unique mechanical boom protects the system against deliberate damage or misuse. The Unifi projector uses DLP® technology and does not have a filter, alleviating the need for regular maintenance.
SMART Board interactive whiteboard – The SMART Board 600i interactive whiteboard system comes with the SMART Board 680 interactive whiteboard, which offers teachers 77 inches (195.6 cm) of active screen area. Simply by touching the large display, users can access and control any computer or multimedia application, including the Internet, CDs and DVDs, and write notes in digital ink and save their work to share later. The SMART Pen Tray automatically detects when a user picks up a pen or the eraser. Buttons activate the On-Screen Keyboard, right-click and help functions. The SMART Board interactive whiteboard comes with feature-rich Notebook™ collaborative learning software, which offers teachers access to more than 100,000 pieces of educational content.
Theft-proof system – The system is secured by three locking mechanisms.
Availability and pricing
The new SMART Board 600i interactive whiteboard system begins shipping in February 2008 at a suggested education price of US$3,299. The 600i system ships complete with the Unifi 45 projector and the latest version of Notebook software. The Unifi 45 projector is also available as a retrofit kit for SMART customers who already own a SMART Board 680 interactive whiteboard. The suggested education price for the kit is $2,099. For more information and system requirements, visit www.smarttech.com.
