Universal Dock Laptop Suggestions

[CHiLL]

We are looking to remove our teacher desktops and become laptop only for teaching staff (they already have laptops too for use at home). Most of the laptops we have don't have USB C/Thunderbolt ports, so we are trying to think of the best way to get them connected to our classroom setups. We are thinking of a device with the following requirements:

 

Inputs: HDMI

 

Outputs: HDMI, VGA & 3.5mm audio

 

Once we start phasing out the existing laptops in a few years, we can then look at proper USB C docks, which would add the benefit of charging, extra USB ports, etc. But until then, we're kind of limited.

 

Most of our projector runs are VGA, but we are considering replacing the runs with HDMI, to eliminate the complexity.

 

Does anyone have any recommendations?

[DGardiner]

check the screen specs, some do PD over the usbc in the panel now. saves all the cables with a dock later!

[steveg]

We've got a fair few GX series now, the only annoying thing about them is the only way to freeze the screen is to hold a button for 5 seconds. This is a crazy long time when you actually have to do it!

 

Other thing I would say is always use good quality hdmi cables, where they are now 4k screens they are much more sensitive to this - the majority of my issues with new boards have been with cables that weren't up to the job.

[BenQ_Chris]

Hi CHiLL,

 

Happy to answer any questions you may have regarding the BenQ RM range, we can potentially also arrange either a remote or an in-person demonstration; highlighting the benefits and number of complimentary services and software solutions. Drop me a PM if interested to find out more.

[PotNoodleTech]

Just got 6 x Smart MX 86 here to try. The BENQ ones look good too.

 

I would strongly reccomend against removing classroom teacher PCs as they just work 100% reliabily hour after hour day after day. Enter the room, log on to the PC, everythings already conected, 60 seconds later get teaching and learning.

 

Every other school I know locally that has gone the laptop route has regretted it (and 2 that I know are now intending to roll out a teacher PC to every clasroom again!)

Edited November 23, 2022 by PotNoodleTech

[CHiLL]

I just realised that the thread title doesn't match the content of the post. I think I pressed the "restore auto-saved content" button when creating the thread, which restored the title to a previous thread I had created. I've asked for it to be amended.

 

I would strongly reccomend against removing classroom teacher PCs as they just work 100% reliabily hour after hour day after day. Enter the room, log on to the PC, everythings already conected, 60 seconds later get teaching and learning.

 

Every other school I know locally that has gone the laptop route has regretted it (and 2 that I know are now intending to roll out a teacher PC to every clasroom again!)

I am certain that the decision will purely come down to cost savings and we have calculated massive savings by switching to the travelling laptop and no desktop model (students will remain as desktops).

[elsiegee40]

Thread title amended as requested

[dmj]

Most of the laptops we have don't have USB C/Thunderbolt ports, so we are trying to think of the best way to get them connected to our classroom setups.

 

Don't remove the desktops until the laptops are upgraded to meet the spec you need?

Decent monitors have all the docking built in these days, but USB-C

[CHiLL]

Don't remove the desktops until the laptops are upgraded to meet the spec you need?

Decent monitors have all the docking built in these days, but USB-C

Unfortunately the utlimate decision may be out of our hands. Though our teacher desks won't have monitors, only the laptop, dock, speakers and projector/interactive TV.

[tangotech]

https://www.v7world.com/uk/v7-universal-docking-station-with-usb-3-0-j153324-udds-1e.html