As part of my never-ending mission to help educators consolidate and simplify their tech stacks, I’m planning to take a big step in a new direction for our next round of interactive classroom displays. And based on what I’m seeing from ViewSonic, Promethean, and SMART, I’m definitely not the only one thinking this way.
These new “OS-less” boards come with no onboard computers — a big change from the usual Android or Windows slot-in models most companies push. No built-in operating system means no internet connection required, which instantly removes a major security risk (especially since those embedded OSes tend to go months between updates). It also means one less system that needs training, maintenance, and ongoing support — which teachers and tech teams alike can appreciate.
With this next purchase, our educators will simply mirror their Macs or iPads using the classroom Apple TVs. And if they need touch control, they can plug in their MacBooks with a single USB-C cable and be ready to go.
I’m excited to see how this shift plays out — fewer moving parts, tighter integration, and (hopefully) a much smoother experience for everyone involved.