Panasonic BQ1 vs. BenQ Board RM03 Series

For the last two decades, BenQ and Panasonic projectors have been used in millions of classrooms around the world. With schools transitioning from projector-based whiteboards into dedicated interactive displays, how do the midrange offerings from BenQ and Panasonic compare in their latest models of classroom smart boards.   This article will honestly and fairly compare both the Panasonic BQ1 series with the BenQ Board RM series.  

Here are the key elements to compare:

• Screen size & Touch technology

• Built in computer and screen sharing

• Safety features

• Array microphone and lecture recording software

• Device Management System

Traditional projector-powered interactive whiteboards, once seen throughout classrooms worldwide, are now being replaced with high-powered interactive LCD displays. With the latest interactive displays, schools are not dependent on a high-powered projector to create a larger working area for teachers to use.

The BenQ Board RM03 series offers three different sizes - 65”, 75” and 86” and offers a smooth and intuitive writing experience using advanced IR sensors bonded directly to the glass that allows multiple students to interact with the BenQ Board at any time using up to 40 points of touch.  

The Panasonic THBQ1W is available only in 65” and 75” sizes, with support for 10 points of touch.  The touch technology uses a traditional IR sensor.   

The speed with which technology changes seems faster and faster every day. The best classroom displays enable teachers to take advantage of new apps and teaching trends to improve student performance. How do you keep up with these ever-changing tech trends? Let’s look at how these two displays enable teachers and administrators to adapt and improve performance.

BenQ’s RM03 has a powerful four-processor CPU and 32 GB of storage to support the Android 9 operating system.  Besides a powerful array of teaching tools such as smart calculators, timers, and teaching templates, the BenQ Board also includes a best-in-class wireless screen-sharing system so students and teachers can share their screens for a more interactive learning environment.  Perfect for flipped classrooms, a teacher can now teach from anywhere – and directly see and control what goes on the screen beforehand to ensure against mischief.

The Panasonic THBQ1W does not come with any integrated computer, operating system, or wireless lecture capture software.  Teachers will either need to connect to the display using an HDMI connection from their laptop or have IT technicians install a separate OPS computer into the display.

In the post 2020 world we live in, health and safety for students and teachers are top of mind in every district across the country. Since both of these displays are designed for classroom use, how do they compare on the various safety features available today from the best classroom displays available today?

Certified Low Blue Light Output

Both the BenQ Board and Panasonic BQ1 come with TUV-certified low blue light output that minimizes the risk of adverse effects from long-term exposure to blue light.  This is more advanced than many of the popular boards from SMART and Promethean.

Germ Resistant Screen

All models of BenQ Boards have germ-resistant screens that are made with a TUV-certified nano-ionic silver formula that is 99.9% effective against common germs. They’ve also taken it a step further, adding the same technology to the pens and remotes that come with the board, making the RM03 one of the most health-conscious smartboards on the market. 

The Panasonic BQ1 does not use any germ-resistant technology.

Hardened Glass

Nothing can disrupt a class more than a football player's elbow accidentally shattering the screen of an interactive display.  The BenQ Board RM Series uses a special 9H hardened glass like those used on phones to minimize this risk.  The Panasonic BQ1 screen does not have any hardness rating in its specifications.

The past few years have taught us that school technology needs to adapt to fit the needs of various learning situations. So how can a display help balance different learning styles and keep kids engaged for higher performance?

The most advanced classroom smart boards enable a teacher to record anything on the screen at any time.  The BenQ Board has integrated screen recording that can be activated with a simple two-finger tap on the screen.   Using the computer and integrated memory, a teacher can save and share lessons for students who are struggling to catch up – or missed class due to vacation or illness.

The other component needed to enable a teacher to record a lesson is a microphone.   The BenQ Board comes with an integrated array microphone for an all-in-one solution to teaching in any situation – and no additional work is needed to hook up additional A/V equipment. 

Panasonic’s BQ1 series does not come with either screen recording software or any type of microphone, creating an additional cost, more work, and limiting your capabilities to reach different types of learners. 

Lack of effective communication is always a concern for teachers who are trying to juggle a million to-dos, daily meetings, and reports and teach hundreds of kids every day.  With an advanced classroom smartboard, school administrators can send a message to an individual board, a group of boards, or even the whole campus.  

All BenQ Boards come standard with a Device Management System (DMS) that permits admins to push settings, updates, apps, and campus-wide text messages to any or all boards in their network. You can even schedule graphics and video streams to displays for morning announcements and emergency broadcasts. DMS comes free with no subscription on all BenQ displays.  The Panasonic BQ1 Series does not have an integrated management system software and charges a fee for certain functions, according to their website.

Both BenQ and Panasonic are well-known brands with quality education projectors.  The BenQ Board RM03 has many extra features that administrators may find valuable as they look to impact the future of learning using interactive technology. 

Here are the four key factors that make the BenQ Board RM03 interactive display stand out from the Panasonic BQ1 series:

• The BenQ RM03 display has boards sized up to 86”, which allows for more collaboration and better visual communication for bigger classrooms. 

• The BenQ RM03 has built-in screen sharing, allowing for various ways to teach, communicate, and keep up with changing trends and technology in the classroom.

• BenQ’s RM03 comes with a built-in microphone and screen recording software, making it a true all-in-one teaching solution that caters to any and all types of learning styles.

• The BenQ RM03 comes with a no-fee/no subscription Device Management System, allowing effective and efficient campus or district-wide communication and notifications.