All-in-One vs. OS-Free: Which Interactive Digital Whiteboard is Right for You?

There are two distinct types of interactive digital whiteboards available today, all-in-one solutions and OS-free solutions. Understanding the differences between the two as well as the benefits they provide is crucial for making an informed decision as to which type of interactive digital whiteboard will best fit your needs and budget.

All-in-One Interactive Digital Whiteboards

Traditional all-in-one interactive displays come with a built-in or embedded operating system (OS), often Android. These types of interactive whiteboards function like a giant, stand-alone touchscreen computer, with the ability to run apps, connect to the internet, utilize digital whiteboarding software, and more – all without needing to be connected to an external device. You can also utilize universal casting like ViewSonic’s AirSync to share content from other devices to the interactive digital whiteboard wirelessly. A popular type of all-in-one interactive display are the EDLA-certified interactive whiteboard which offer direct integration with the Google Workspace and Google Play Store.

OS-Free Interactive Digital Whiteboards

As the name suggests, an OS-free interactive display functions like a giant touchscreen monitor. These interactive digital whiteboards do not come with an embedded OS and instead need to be connected to an external PC or computing device. They are OS-agnostic so they work with a variety of operating systems including Windows, ChromeOS, macOS, and Android. Additionally, you cannot wirelessly cast to an OS-free display.

Key Benefits and Considerations: All-in-One vs. OS-Free

Now that we’ve established the key differences between all-in-one and OS-free interactive digital whiteboards, let’s take a look at how they compare in four key areas of consideration that are important to every organization: usability, security, flexibility, affordability, and longevity.

Usability

All-in-one solutions are generally plug-and-play. With the operating system and basic software already installed, setup is quick and straightforward. Users can often start annotating, presenting, and collaborating right out of the box — you can open files, browse the web, or launch educational and productivity apps right from the screen. You also have access to more features with an all-in-one solution such as wireless casting. With an OS-free display, you must have an external device connected to be able to use it.

Security

All-in-one interactive displays are built to be durable and secure, and are equipped with built-in enterprise security features and authentication protocols. Additionally, EDLA-certified displays receive both firmware and security updates both from the display manufacturer and directly from Google. However, once the embedded OS reaches its end of life, it is generally not upgradable and thus the OS will stop receiving firmware and security updates from the manufacturer leaving it vulnerable to potential threats.

An OS-free interactive digital whiteboard does not have an embedded OS, so there’s no environment for viruses or malware to run, significantly reducing the risk of cyberattacks. Plus, there’s no OS to update or for storing data locally, minimizing vulnerabilities and data breaches. And since the display is powered by an external device, that device can be swapped or upgraded for a more secure computing device at any time ensuring the latest access to security and firmware updates.

Flexibility

With an OS-free interactive digital whiteboard, you can connect any external device to power the display, whether that be a Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, etc. device. This allows the user to choose to use a device that best fits their workflow, budget, and integration with their current technology infrastructure. Different users are able to use different devices if they choose to as well.

While you can also connect any external device to an all-in-one solution, you cannot change the embedded OS. However, all-in-one displays require minimal configuration and provide an out-of-the-box solution that OS-free displays don’t. This gives the user greater flexibility to decide how they wish to use the display.

Affordability and Longevity

The purchase price for an OS-free interactive displays is less expensive than that of a traditional all-in-one interactive display. However, it’s important to factor in the cost of the external device needed to power the OS-free solution. Do you need to purchase a new device for use of the display, or will you have users take a BYOD (bring your own device) approach? Therefore, the overall the cost of an OS-free display is more variable than that of an all-in-one interactive digital whiteboard.

Additionally, most interactive displays are rated for 50,000 hours of use. If running 24/7 that would roughly 5.7 years, and most organizations are not running them 24/7 which means these types of displays can likely last 7-10 years. However, as we discussed previously, embedded OS eventually will stop receiving firmware and security updates. This means if you have an all-in-one interactive display, you may be faced with the decision to have to buy an entirely new display or run the risks associated with using an interactive display with an outdated/unsupported OS. This is a non-issue for OS-free interactive displays because the external device can simply be swapped out for continued operation.

Choosing the Right Interactive Digital Whiteboard

As you can see, when it comes to choosing the right interactive digital whiteboard for your classroom or corporate meeting space, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The decision is largely based on your goals/needs and budget. To determine which is the best interactive solution for your organization, consider the following questions:

• Is using the interactive digital whiteboard on its own important to you? If so, an all-in-one solution is the best fit for you.
• Do you want to install apps or be able to utilize wireless casting for sharing content? This can only be done with an all-in-one interactive digital whiteboard.
• Do you prefer to connect your laptops/desktops mainly or solely to the display for use? If the answer is yes, an OS-free display may be the better option.
• What are your security requirements? If stringent security is paramount, an OS-free solution offers a significant advantage.
• How important is integration with existing technology? If your organization heavily uses platforms such as Google Workspace or Microsoft 365, an all-in-one interactive digital whiteboard can integrate apps and services directly. If your infrastructure is heavily customized or standardized around specific hardware, an OS-free display gives you more control.
• What is your budget? OS-free displays are typically more budget-friendly and can be paired with existing technology. All-in-one display models may cost more upfront but offer greater independence and flexibility in terms of usability and features.
• What are your long-term needs? An OS-free interactive digital whiteboard offers greater future-proofing as you can upgrade connected devices independently.

Need help deciding? Reach out to our expert team at Parmetech for a personalized recommendation based on your organization’s unique needs. Please reach out and we’d be happy to help! You can call us at (800) 727-6383, email us at info@parmetech.com, or connect with us through our website form.