Laptop Power Solution Wanted

[steve]

I'm looking for a power / network solution for our laptops.

What I'd like is a pod that sits on a desk that has multiple power and network outlets for the laptops.
(With one power / network in)

I'm sure I've seen something like this at BETT before, but can't remember the supplier.

Anyone have one of these or know where I can source them?

Or is it time to go down to technology and get the saw out?

See the attach pic for my artistic interpretation of the pod.

[Andrew_C]

A power supply to deliver that sort of current isn't insignificant to design, but it can be done. I know someone who might be interested in designing & building such a thing. I've started sounding him out about a supply for 12v small form factor PCs. If you can't find something that already exists drop me a line.

[GrumbleDook]

You can get something like that from Isis Concepts for just plug sockets, etc ... and Lapsafe do a solution which allows for connecting directly to the laptop as a DC supply.

[mac_shinobi]

Am obviously missing the whole point here that or being totally daft lol.

Don't they call it a laptop docking station ?

[steve]

Cheers Tony, I'll give them a call.

[Andrew_C]

Am obviously missing the whole point here that or being totally daft lol.

Don't they call it a laptop docking station ?

Yes sort of, but for multiple lap-tops.

[mac_shinobi]

how would that work - you would have wires everywhere and end up tripping over them ?

Wouldn't it be better to have a few banks like 2 on one side of the class room, 2 on the other side and maybe a couple at the back of the class room that way the students nearest each bank can connect a mains cord and a data cable ( network ) cable.

[Andrew_C]

Am obviously missing the whole point here

What I'd like is a pod that sits on a desk that has multiple power and network outlets for the laptops.

I think you have missed the point!

[mac_shinobi]

So if you make a pod that is moveable between desks - what is the maximum amount of each type of ports that you would have on this pod ?

10 of each ?

[steve]

The solution is for science labs, so points around the outside isn't really an option - there's benching around the edge for practicals (but not room for stools to go under benching).

Plus we'd like something a bit portable.

[GrumbleDook]

Shane, think about the pods that were in the upstairs library at Brooke Weston. Imagine that they are not fixed but movable.

@steve
t41 laptop table for classrooms, training rooms & lecture theatres
Just had a dig around the Lapsafe site ... looks like they are not doing the multi-charger anymore, but I would contact them to see if they know of an alternative, they are helpful like that.

[mac_shinobi]

Shane, think about the pods that were in the upstairs library at Brooke Weston. Imagine that they are not fixed but movable.

@steve
t41 laptop table for classrooms, training rooms & lecture theatres
Just had a dig around the Lapsafe site ... looks like they are not doing the multi-charger anymore, but I would contact them to see if they know of an alternative, they are helpful like that.

Don't remember those but if you look above I edited what I posted originally to ask how many ports per pod would you have ? ie 10 RJ45 ports and 10 power ports or mains sockets to power the computers.

[ricki]

Hi

I have seen something like this at a primary school a few years back. I think they made it on a round desk with a switch in the middle and a plug socket. All the wires and switch and plug sockets were covered in a octogon shaped box so that only the 2 leads came out. They purchased another set of chargers and had one set in the desk and one set in the trolley. All the student had to do was plug the network lead and the power connector into the leads on the bench. It was a very nice solution but expensive when they changed laptops as they had different chargers and had to buy another set for the bench with cost a bit. I surpose you could get univeral chargers for the desk that you could change the voltage on but would have to make sure that the students could not get at them so they could not change the voltage.

Richard

[steve]

Don't remember those but if you look above I edited what I posted originally to ask how many ports per pod would you have ? ie 10 RJ45 ports and 10 power ports or mains sockets to power the computers.

We'd look for 8 laptops per pod, 4 pods in total - giving 32 students access in a class.

Been thinking today of how difficult it would be to knock something together myself:

2x 5 port switchs, 8x laptop PSUs, 2x 6-way extensions, 8x patch leads, heat shrink sleeving
It would need 2 electrical sockets and 2 network points to plug into.

Should be able to make each one for under £400 inc new power supplies.

[Andrew_C]

2x 5 port switches, 8x laptop PSUs, 2x 6-way extensions, 8x patch leads, heat shrink sleeving
Should be able to make each one for under £400 inc new power supplies.

EACH! I think it should be possible to do it a lot better, for less. One decent 12V PSU with 8x self resetting breakers to stop the kids blowing it up, plus an 8 way switch (or 2x 5way), one 4 way socket, or have the PSU built with a couple of 13A sockets built in. Patch leads and power leads connected to the kit inside the enclosure so the can be removed for repair, but not by users.

I really like the idea, shame I don't have a use for it at the moment!