Recommendations, please, for whiteboards for a new building.

Over the past few years we've been putting ceiling mounted projectors in 
steel security cages and Hitachi Starboards in many classrooms.

They work well although there are some problems - eg short teachers 
can't reach the projector to switch it on/off so need the remote control 
- that's no problem except that "someone else" always has the remote. 
Installation is expensive and often looks messy - lots of cables etc. 
Another problem is that when a projector fails/gets stolen, its 
replacement almost always won't fit in the existing cage and won't focus 
on the board from that position which makes for an expensive move.

So, what to do for the new building? 
(http://www.cnwl.ac.uk/kilburnproject/photos/video@20061108064540.jpg if 
you want to see what it looks like :-)

Two possible options are the Promethean Activboard 2 
(http://www.mypromethean.com/uk/server/show/nav.1684) and the Smart 
Board 600i 
(http://www.education.smarttech.com/ste/en-US/Why+Choose/K-12+solutions/Pr
oduct+news+and+resources/SMART+Board+600i+series/default.htm)

Both of these use a short-throw projector, effectively mounted on the 
board. They integrate all controls etc in the board and also provide 
audio. Nothing has to be mounted on the ceiling and it all looks much 
better.

The problem with both is that they don't exist - the Smart board will 
launch in January (or maybe not; it's already been delayed once). The 
Promethean doesn't even have photos on the web sites, just 
"impressionist" drawings.

So, does anyone have any experience of something like this (short throw 
projector, wall mounted) or any other recommendations? Is anyone using 
plasma screens with a touch surface (Smart do them; others probably do)

--  
Steve Rochford
IT Support Manager, The College of North West London