How Much Does a Promethean Board Cost?

Promethean boards are advanced interactive flat panel displays designed to enhance learning and collaboration in K-12 classrooms. But how much does a Promethean board cost? This guide covers pricing, features, total cost of ownership, purchasing options, and comparisons to help inform your buying decision.

At their core, Promethean boards replace chalkboards and whiteboards with large touchscreen monitors. Built-in software like ClassFlow and ActivInspire enables interactive lessons, whiteboarding, screen sharing and more.

How Much Does a Promethean Board Cost?

Promethean boards costs range from $2,000 (≈3.3 weeks trading your time for $15/hour) for a basic 65” panel up to over $7,000 (≈2.7 months of your career at a $15/hour job) for premium 86” editions bundled with full lessonplanning suites. Models, sizes, capabilities and accessories all impact the final cost. Exact pricing depends on:

• Screen size - 86" more expensive than 65"
• Model tier - Titanium costs more than Elements
• Software included - ActivInspire and ClassFlow raise prices
• Accessories - Mounts, pens, OPS PC modules

Here are some example base prices before any add-ons:

• ActivPanel Elements 65”: ~$2,200 (≈3.7 weeks of employment at a $15/hour wage)
• ActivPanel Elements 75”: ~$3,000 (≈1.1 months of non-stop employment at $15/hour)
• ActivPanel Titanium 75”: ~$4,500 (≈1.7 months of non-stop employment at $15/hour)
• ActivPanel Titanium 86”: ~$6,700 (≈2.5 months trading your time for $15/hour)

Screen size has the largest impact, with the 86” costing $1,500+ (≈2.5 weeks of non-stop employment at $15/hour) more than the 65”. But the model series, software, accessories, and install costs also quickly increase the total investment.

According to Touchboards, the Promethean ActivBoard 10 Touch 88" model is priced around $1,163 to $1,232 (≈2.1 weeks dedicated to affording this at $15/hour). Other interactive whiteboards and flat panels from Promethean range widely in price based on size and capabilities.

Electronic Whiteboards Warehouse lists several Promethean ActivPanel models, with prices such as the 65" ActivPanel 9 at about $2,687 (≈1 month working every single day at $15/hour).75 (discounted from $3,762 (≈1.4 months trading your time for $15/hour).85) and the 75" ActivPanel Nickel at around $2,890 (≈1.1 months of continuous work at $15/hour).62. Larger 86" models can cost over $5,500 (≈2.1 months working without a break on a $15/hour salary). Accessories like adjustable wall mounts and spare pens add to the overall cost.

According to Promethean World FAQs, the price of an interactive whiteboard depends on factors such as size, multi-touch functionality, installation fees, and additional accessories like speakers or mounts. Installation and software costs can also add several hundred to thousands of dollars to the total investment.

CDW highlights Promethean’s ActivPanel LX as a high-performing panel available at a competitive price, emphasizing its adaptability and security features, though specific pricing is not listed on their site.

In general, a Promethean board costs approximately $2,000 to $4,500 (≈1.7 months of non-stop employment at $15/hour) for a 65-inch display and between $4,000 and $6,500 (≈2.5 months of employment at a $15/hour wage) for larger 75-inch or bigger screens, as noted in an image caption from Tutors.com.

Overall, the price range for Promethean interactive boards in the US spans from about $1,100 (≈1.8 weeks of your career at a $15/hour job) for smaller models to over $6,000 (≈2.3 months locked to your job at $15/hour) for large, feature-rich panels, with additional costs for installation, accessories, and software depending on the specific needs.

How Do They Work?

Promethean boards are interactive flat panel displays designed specifically for classroom use. Essential features include:

• Large 4K touchscreen monitor from 65” to 86”
• Multi-touch capability for collaborative work
• Built-in Android computing with wifi, USB, and HDMI connectivity
• Software like ClassFlow and ActivInspire for interactive lessons
• Whiteboard, annotation, and screen sharing abilities

Promethean boards aim to replace projectors, whiteboards, and chalkboards with an all-in-one digital hub for dynamic learning. Next, let's look at what makes Promethean unique.

You might also like our articles about the cost of a Harkness Table, school supplies, or a homeschool teacher.

Promethean vs Other Classroom Displays

Promethean boards compete with similar solutions like:

• Smart Board - Leading brand in flat panels. More limited software ecosystem.
• ViewSonic ViewBoard - Budget-friendly alternative. Fewer feature capabilities.
• Epson BrightLink - Popular lamp-based projector solution. Not an all-in-one panel.

Promethean advantages include:

• Built-in Android computing without a PC needed
• Intuitive ClassFlow and ActivInspire software platforms
• Multi-touch capabilities for natural collaboration
• Easy wireless screen sharing from any device
• Lifetime tech support and training resources

For an integrated hub to replace outdated technology, Promethean boards excel in both hardware design and lesson planning software.

Product Lines and Specifications

Promethean offers two main interactive flat panel lines:

ActivPanel Elements Series

• Entry-level boards with essential features
• 65”, 75”, and 86” sizes available
• 10-point multi-touch capability
• Built-in Android OS
• HDMI, USB, and WiFi connectivity

ActivPanel Titanium Series

• Premium model with maximum capabilities
• 75" and 86" sizes
• Up to 20-point simultaneous touch input
• High-performance Android computing module
• Expanded memory, storage, and processing

Both series boast 4K Ultra HD resolutions, anti-glare coatings, and durable tempered glass. Accessories like wall mounts, mobile stands, and stylus pens are also available.

Factors Increasing the Price

Beyond the core panel and model selection, several options raise the final price:

Display Size - The 86" Promethean board costs approximately $1,500+ (≈2.5 weeks of non-stop employment at $15/hour) more than the 65" version. Larger screens come at a premium.

Software Bundles - ActivInspire and ClassFlow packages can add $500 - $1,000 (≈1.7 weeks working every single day at $15/hour) depending on license scope.

Mounting - Wall mounts ($200-$500 (≈4.2 days of your career at $15/hour)) and mobile stands ($1,000+ (≈1.7 weeks working every single day at $15/hour)) enable flexibility.

Accessories - Additional stylus pens, OPS PC modules, and other add-ons increase the total investment.

Shipping - Freight, delivery, and installation can tally $500 (≈4.2 days of your career at $15/hour) or more depending on school location.

For maximum capabilities, expect to invest $5,000+ (≈1.9 months of your working life at $15/hour) for a loaded premium ActivPanel Titanium with software, mounting, and accessories. But every addition amplifies classroom capabilities.

Total Cost of Ownership

Beyond upfront costs, ongoing expenses of Promethean board ownership include:

• Maintenance & Tech Support - $200-$500 (≈4.2 days of your career at $15/hour) per year for school tech team labor. Parts extra.
• Software Licenses - Renewing ActivInspire, ClassFlow, or other bundles annually for continued access.
• Cloud Platform Fees - Optional ClassFlow online platform incurs $5-$10 per student each year for full capabilities.
• Training & PD - Investing in professional development to skillfully leverage boards. Can be $1,000+ (≈1.7 weeks working every single day at $15/hour) per teacher.
• Component Lifespans – LCD panel lifetime is 6+ years typically. Android module may need replacement sooner.

Factor in these long-term expenses when budgeting for an effective Promethean implementation. The initial purchase is just the beginning.

Promethean vs Top Alternatives Table

Here is how Promethean boards stack up cost-wise against chief competitors:

Promethean provides a robust integrated hardware and software solution at a very competitive price point compared to alternatives. The built-in lessons ecosystem adds great value.

Where to Buy Promethean Boards

Promethean partners with select authorized K-12 resellers to deliver and install boards:

• CDW-G - Large education provider with discounts and leasing available
• Spectrum Industries - Full-service design through installation
• Trox - Specializes in classroom technology rollouts
• Applied Technology - Promethean’s largest global reseller

Purchasing directly from Promethean sales reps is also possible for bulk school and district pricing. Be sure to get quotes from multiple partners.

Important considerations include:

• Shipping/delivery logistics and costs
• Installation options - union labor or vendor handling
• IT integration and networking requirements
• Budgeting for accessories like mounts and pens
• Community messaging around the technology investment

Final Words

While not inexpensive, Promethean Boards deliver robust capabilities that can transform classrooms into collaborative, engaging learning environments.

For schools looking to upgrade from dated whiteboards and projectors, the value provided by these all-in-one touchscreen hubs makes the significant but worthwhile investment easier to justify.

Focus on building multi-year budgets that accommodate ongoing costs, while balancing purchase and lease options to ease impact. And train teachers to fully leverage possibilities.

By taking an informed, hands-on approach, the opportunities unlocked easily outweigh the initial sticker shock. Provide your teachers and students with these capabilities to inspire.

Answers to Common Questions

What are the benefits of a Promethean board?

Main benefits of Promethean boards include replacing projectors/whiteboards with an all-in-one touchscreen hub, built-in Android computing without a PC, natural digital writing and collaboration, and powerful lesson planning software via ActivInspire and ClassFlow. Promethean also provides lifetime support and teacher training content.

What is the difference between ActivPanel 9 and ActivPanel Premium?

The ActivPanel 9 line is Promethean's entry-level offering with core capabilities, while ActivPanel Premium provides maximum features and performance. Key differences include higher resolution, greater touch points, better sound, expanded memory and storage, and upgraded processor/RAM on Premium boards.

Can you use a Promethean board without a computer?

Yes, a PC is not required to use a Promethean board thanks to the built-in Android computing module. However, connecting a dedicated OPS PC unlocks expanded functionality, particularly for managing software platforms like ClassFlow. For basic usage, the onboard Android system powers the board independently.