10 Questions to Ask Before Buying an Interactive Display

Choosing the correct model can be confusing when you want to make investments in an interactive display for your school or college. Hundreds of makes and models available in the market can make it challenging to choose the best fit. 

It is essential to understand features such as AI integration and OPS compatibility to make an informed decision. This will make sure your investment improves teaching effectiveness and student engagement. 

As one of the trusted companies providing interactive panels for classrooms, we have compiled 10 questions here. This will help you avoid costly mistakes and give you a strong starting point to make a smart investment.   

10 Questions You Must Ask Before Purchasing an Interactive Display

1. Is the Interactive Panel Designed Specifically for Classrooms?

You might come across various types of interactive displays during your purchasing process. Some models are specifically designed for corporate environments, while others are built keeping educational needs in mind. 

Certain features may also differ for schools and colleges. For schools, the panels are designed for classroom engagement and interactive learning. And for colleges and universities, the focus is more on collaborative projects, presentations, and higher-level discussions. 

Hence, it is important to ask this question to ensure the interactive panel board aligns with the needs of your institution.       

Specific Details to Look for:

• Educational Software Integration: Panels should be preloaded with lesson planners and subject-based tools.
• User-Friendly Interface: Teachers shouldn’t need an IT background to operate the system. 
• Classroom Durability: These panels should withstand frequent use and accidental touches. 

Expert Recommendation: Choose a purpose-built interactive panel for classroom settings that is optimized for teachers and students. 

2. What Display Size and Resolution Best Fit Your Classroom?

The size and resolution can vary depending on your classroom requirements. The interactive display you select must be appropriate for the size and layout of your classroom. This ensures that every student, from the front row to the back, remains attentive and involved. 

Consider this Quick Visual Reference: 

‍Expert Recommendation: Always match the panel size and resolution with the room dimensions for maximum visibility and clarity. Your interactive panel vendor should be able to help you with this during the initial consultation.    

3. Does the Interactive Display Support Multi-Touch and Stylus Input?

Students, especially in secondary and higher education, actively participate when they can interact with the screen via their individual tablets or iPads. Thus, it is important to check how screen sharing works on your selected model.    

Specific Details to Look for:

• 10-point Multi-Touch: Enables group activities, quizzes, and teamwork on-screen.
• Responsive Stylus Input: Ideal for handwriting, diagram drawing, and precise annotations.
• Compatibility: The content should be shareable to any device with an OS, including Android, iOS, and Windows.  

Expert Recommendation: Look for interactive panels that support both stylus and touch. This empowers dynamic and engaging teaching sessions.  

4. Is the Panel Powered by a Built-in CPU or an OPS Slot?

This question will help you understand how smart the display is. Having a built-in CPU means the panel can run like a computer and perform features such as running apps and browsing the internet. The OPS (Open Pluggable Specification) slot allows you to add a plug-in computer when needed. This provides you with more speed, memory, and flexibility. 

Specific Details to Look for:

• Built-in CPU: Great for basic functionality and plug-and-play use.
• OPS Slot: Offers modular upgrades, including better processors or OS support

Expert Recommendation: For institutions aiming to scale or integrate with upcoming technologies, it is good to go with an interactive panel board that includes an OPS slot.

5. What Software Ecosystem Does It Come With?

This question directly impacts how you can teach, manage your class, and engage students. A good software ecosystem does more than just show videos. For instance, some models come with software that allows you to control your students’ screens, run quizzes, and share content directly from the panel. 

Specific Details to Look for:

• Integrated Whiteboard Apps
• Subject-Specific Tools (Math formulas, Science simulations)
• Cloud Syncing (Google Drive, OneDrive)
• Third-Party App Support (Kahoot!, Zoom, etc.)

Expert Recommendation: Opt for an interactive display with a versatile and open software environment, so it grows with your teaching methods.   

6. Does It Include AI Features to Enhance Teaching?

AI in classrooms is no longer futuristic—it’s here. An interactive panel for teaching with AI features can transform how students learn. It can open doors to a new level of opportunities to teach and engage students. 

Specific Details to Look for:

• Voice-Activated Commands: Streamline lesson transitions and screen navigation
• Auto Content Suggestions: AI recommends resources based on the lesson topic
• Data-Driven Insights: Analytics that can help track student performance
• Personalized Learning: AI can tailor content to individual student needs

Expert Recommendation: Choose a panel with built-in AI features specifically designed to simplify teaching tasks and boost student engagement effortlessly.  

7. What Kind of After-Sales Support and Warranty is Provided?

Reliable ongoing tech support gives you the peace of mind that teaching is not interrupted due to unexpected technical issues. In a digital classroom, it is essential to address software glitches promptly to avoid disrupting the class.  

Specific Details to Look for:

• Warranty with options to extend
• Dedicated Technical Support (Phone, Email, On-site)
• Training Programs & Online Resources for Educators

Expert Recommendation: Choose a vendor like Roombr that not only delivers a product but also offers continued support to maximize classroom value.  

8. Is the Interactive Display Durable and Classroom-Proof?

A classroom is a dynamic environment where tech may face high wear and tear. The panel must be built to handle the busy classroom life on a daily basis. This can lower your ongoing maintenance expenses and minimize downtime. 

Specific Details to Look for:

• Anti-Glare Glass: Reduces eye strain and enhances visibility
• Shatterproof Protection: Safety-first for schools
• Dust and Moisture Resistance: Ideal for varied Indian climates

Expert Recommendation: Don’t compromise on build quality. A robustly built hardware is as important a smoothly working digital classroom software.

9. How Compatible Is It with Existing Devices and Platforms?

A panel should fit into your current tech ecosystem like a puzzle piece, not disrupt it. If your classrooms use digital devices, they should be compatible with them. These may include existing laptops, tablets, projectors, and commonly used platforms like Microsoft Teams or Zoom. This avoids the need for extra adapters, software changes, or IT headaches. It also means you don’t have to invest your time and money in additional hardware setups. 

Specific Details to Look for:

• OS Integration: Works seamlessly with Windows, macOS, and Android
• Input Ports: HDMI, USB-C, LAN, Audio, VGA
• Wireless Screen Sharing: For BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) environments
• LMS Compatibility: Moodle, Google Classroom, MS Teams

Expert Recommendation: Ensure that your interactive flat panel supports the tools your educators already use. 

10. What is the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of the Interactive Panel?

You know it well that price tags don’t tell the full story. Therefore, assessing the total cost of ownership before investing in multiple interactive displays is essential. This will help you understand how much you need to spend over the panel’s lifetime, including installation, maintenance, software licenses, training, and possible upgrades. This helps your institution budget wisely, avoid surprises, and invest in a solution that offers real value over time. 

Specific Details to Look for:

• Initial Costs: Hardware + Software licenses
• Maintenance: Yearly servicing and repairs
• Training: Educator onboarding and refresher sessions
• Upgradeability: OPS or firmware updates over time

Expert Recommendation: Maintenance contracts, out-of-warranty repairs, and outdated software are major TCO contributors. Choose a vendor that provides long-term software support and proactive device health monitoring tools to significantly lower the TCO over the panel’s lifecycle.

Bonus Tip: Always Ask for a Demo

Before making a decision, schedule a hands-on demo to experience the panel in action.  

Why it helps:

• Test Real-Life Use Cases: Try lesson planning, annotation, and screen sharing
• See Feature Performance: AI, stylus input, interface navigation
• Clarify Doubts: Get direct answers from experts

Expert Recommendation: A demo is the best way to see if the panel truly fits your classroom needs.

Take the Next Step 

Choosing the right interactive display is a strategic decision that affects every lesson, every day. Asking the right questions today ensures a smart investment for your school or college and a more engaging classroom experience tomorrow.

At Roombr, we specialize in interactive flat panel displays that are purpose-built for Indian classrooms—affordable, powerful, and educator-friendly. Contact us or book your free digital classroom demo today and see how the future of learning looks.