Whiteboard
A whiteboard (also called a dry-erase or dry-wipe board) is the name for any glossy surface, most commonly coloured white, where markings can be made. Whiteboards operate analogously to chalkboards in that they allow...

Whiteboard
A whiteboard (also called a dry-erase or dry-wipe board) is the name for any glossy surface, most commonly coloured white, where markings can be made. Whiteboards operate analogously to chalkboards in that they allow markings to temporarily adhere to the surface of the board. These markings are removed more easily than if one were to use a chalkboard. The popularity of whiteboards increased rapidly in the mid-1990s and have become a fixture in many offices, meeting rooms, and other work environments.[1]

Instead of using chalk (as on chalkboards) to make the markings, a special whiteboard erase marker containing removable ink is used (see non-permanent marker). Whiteboards are normally constructed using porcelain enameled steel. Steel whiteboards are magnetic, so one can use magnets to affix notes or a magnetic eraser to them. Porcelain boards are more durable than standard melamine boards. Both porcelain and melamine will fade to a slight gray color over time and exhibit ghosting. Ghosting occurs when dry erase ink seeps into the surface of the board, making it impossible to erase marks using even the strongest cleaning solution. The EverWhite whiteboard [1] claims to have eliminated ghosting by using a special board surface. No ink is allowed to seep into the board surface and thus no residual marks remain after writing on the board.

The term whiteboard is also used metaphorically to refer to features of computer software applications that simulate whiteboards. Virtual whiteboards allow one or more people to write or draw images on a simulated canvas. This is a common feature of many virtual meeting, collaboration, and instant messaging applications.
(Source - Wikipedia)

Advantages
Whiteboard ink markings are less susceptible to external factors, such as water or accidental erasure, because the ink adheres slightly better than chalk does to chalkboards. Using markers does not generate the dust that comes from using and erasing chalk. Persons allergic to chalk can use whiteboards as an alternative.

A whiteboard can be used as the background for a presentation from an overhead projector. This allows the person giving the presentation to fill in blanks or make comments by writing on the whiteboard. For instance, a form can be copied onto a transparency and projected, and the presenter can demonstrate how to fill it in on the whiteboard. Even so, projecting onto a whiteboard produces much more glare than onto a projection screen, making it difficult to read.

Disadvantages
Whiteboards are slightly more expensive than blackboards. In addition, only special whiteboard markers are suitable for use on whiteboards. Using other markers that resemble whiteboard markers but contain the wrong kind of ink creates markings that are hard or impossible to remove. However, some techniques have been developed, which include filling over them using a marker with the right type of removable ink and then erasing the ink; wiping the marks with isopropanol, ethanol or denatured alcohol; or by using board cleaning sprays or prepackaged wipes commercially available from the whiteboard manufacturers.

The white background can cause contrast problems for people with vision impairment.

Some people are sensitive or allergic to the strong odor of most whiteboard markers. Reduced-odor markers are available.

Whiteboards tend to create more of a mess than chalkboards, as the ink is difficult to remove from anything other than the surface of the board; dry-erase ink causes stains in clothing.