Abstract: A collaborative input system 10 includes a host computer 12. A display 14 is associated with the host computer. The host computer includes a processor 15 configured for executing an application to provide an image 17 on the display 14. At least one electromagnetic digitizer 18 is provided separate from the host computer. The digitizer 18 has an input surface 22 defining a display space that is mapped to coincide with the display 14, and a pen structure 24 operatively associated with the input surface such that proximity of the pen structure with respect to the input surface, as a result of a user's input, is detected by the digitizer.