Most of us have heard of whiteboards because it is used for the longest of times and even if there is a magnetic board that’s in use. Chances are people would mistakenly guess that it is a whiteboard nonetheless.
Whiteboards were used quite commonly used during the 1950s to early ’60s. They were a staple for teachers to deliver their lessons or for any workers to organize their thoughts in a meeting. To say it wasn’t a revolutionary item would be me lying to myself as this simple item could benefit all of us in so many ways. It became so popular that by the end of the ’90s, they practically outsold chalkboards and brought it out of business entirely.
But, as society improves, so do many of its products as well and that includes the whiteboard too. In recent memory, a different variation of the whiteboard called magnetic board came to the scene, and considerably it is a whiteboard with a sheet of glass on the top which makes it resistant to staining and eliminates ghosting (if you know what I’m talking about). This marks a major improvement over its predecessor as it’s easier to clean and tends to not leave a stained mark behind.
Pros: Magnetic Boards
Magnetic boards are considered the go-to tool for displaying information and ideas to a large group of people.
The pros can be described as:
- Easy to use
- Visually Appealing
- Versatility
- Easy to clean
Easy To Use
Magnetic boards are pretty cookie-cutter, you describe your ideas on a whiteboard to let everyone understand what you’re trying to communicate without having to spend time explaining yourself repeatedly. This effectively saves time and effort as many people can understand such as if a teacher is teaching algebra in class.
Practically 95% of the class would not be able to decipher what you are trying to express if you are talking about algebra 30 minutes long but with a whiteboard, at least you can get your information across to the other party.
Visually Appealing
Magnetic boards are visually appealing when given the chance for it. Whether you are doing a meeting or teaching a classroom, you have the opportunity to doodle small shapes to brighten up what you are expressing.
You can draw a small graph to show the progress or even exciting animations to give life to what you are presenting to the shareholders in your company. It’s not massive but sometimes, it’s the tiny attention to detail that can retain people’s attention to your presentation or lessons in general.
Versatility
Magnetic boards are extremely versatile and can be used in practically any application from doing project timelines, to changing different business strategies and even complex mathematical problems. You can quickly sketch out a few simple options or create elaborate diagrams. The possibilities are endless.
Furthermore, you can use magnetic boards to play games and host activities. Who does not like a game of tic tac toe or a game of hangman? Or if you are feeling very creative, you can even practice you are drawing skills as well though it is not recommended.
Easy to clean
Last but not least, magnetic boards are very easy to clean and maintain. All you need is a simple cloth, or perhaps some eraser to wipe any marker on display squeaky clean. Compared to a whiteboard which will leave traces of a stain on it, a magnetic board would not have any issues with that. And even if it does, using rubbing alcohol would solve the issue without any hassle in between.
Cons: Magnetic Boards
Of course, from what we described here that it does seem very likely that Magnetic board does look like it barely has any cons to them but think again. Every product has its faults and magnetic boards are no different.
The cons can be described as:
- High Initial Cost
- Limited Mobility
- Expensive to repair
High Initial Cost
When compared to its predecessor the whiteboard, magnetic boards are more expensive than whiteboards and any other of its alternatives which do make it seem difficult for some people to purchase it if they have a tight budget.
Limited Mobility
Whether we like it or not, magnetic boards have limited mobility given the weight of the product. Unlike the whiteboard which you can hang on a wheel, the glass board does not have the same advantage given the weight it has.
Magnetic boards as the name suggest, have a layer of glass on their board so that it is heavier than a whiteboard which means that even having the mobility to it causes a presumed risk that the material holding it might not withstand the weight given time.
Expensive To Repair
As the intended high initial cost to it, so too comes the cost when it needs to be repaired. It is usually costly as many parts need to be replaced. This can include the board itself, a new frame, and other parts of the magnetic board that might have been damaged over time.
Furthermore, if you ever decide to change the size or shape of your board, this will be an expensive process. It is usually hard to find a magnetic board that fits the exact size and shape you are looking for. Finding one will also require time and money to get it shipped or delivered. So, in that regard, it is always best to replace the magnetic board instead to save the hassle of all these steps just to fix it.
Should You Get Them?
In conclusion, should you or should you not get a magnetic board? It really depends on your individual needs. Magnetic boards come with their pros and cons, but ultimately, it has it’s own unique features that separate itself from a normal whiteboard.