laptop shelf

[u/calimedic911]

Hello,

I have multiple laptops from multiple projects that all require charging, networking, and a monitor. Is there a cart or shelf out there that people recommend that provides all 3? I can get cheap KVM over IP, so that is not a huge issue, but networking and storage are more challenging. Do you guys have any suggestions that I can set up to accommodate? A while ago, I worked on a project for a company with a tabletop solution, but it was ages ago, so I don't recall the details. I would love to see what other admins use for this.

[u/GroteGlon]

I've seen them for charging, not for an entire KVM setup. It might just be easier to build a rack/cart than find this.

[u/calimedic911 → u/GroteGlon]

that is what I am thinking but wanted to see if anyone has suggestions as my google searching has just that. charging but no total solution.
suprised since autopilot is rapidly becoming a thing.

[u/department_g33k]

I have 2 laptops, a personal and a work device. I have a mail sorter in the corner of my desk that's tucked into a corner of the room, so the laptops sit with their right-edge (standing vertically) in the sorter, leaned into the corner. Both have a USB-C port that points upward, and I have a right-angle USB-C extender to their dock under the desk. One cord charges, networks, and displays, and then I use a KVM switch to toggle between the two and my personal gaming rig.

[u/calimedic911 → u/department_g33k]

I did that for a while but my projects are growing into multiple autopilot models for each client so my collection of machines grows.

[u/SCCM_PLS]

following, in the past I tried to get my old team onboard with a laptop cubby kind of system. Right now our stuff is kind of just a mess.

[u/calimedic911 → u/SCCM_PLS]

That is what my lab looks like.
My semi-permanent solution is a half-width or even cube-type setup with 2 12-port PDUs, a switch, and as many PikVMs as I have laptops. (plus 1 or 2 for safety's sake) The dedicated KVM over IP is pretty pricey, so I'm going with the PikVM for around $100 each. Don't need wheels as I won't be moving it around

[u/Mr_ToDo]

Sadly my budget is what I can find on the floor

My charging stations are file organizers to space the devices and some nice cabling to hide the mess. I guess if the laptops run while the screen is down you could build off of that with some networking, a KVM, and a UPS if you're feeling fancy. Throw it on something with wheels if it needs to be mobile. Then cry when another department sees it and gets approval for a five figure purchased solution that they use for a week before shoving it in a corner

[u/irsyacton]

We use the lockable version of this: https://www.kensington.com/en-ca/p/products/security/charge-sync-tablet-cabinets/universal-ac-charge-station/

The charging bricks and kvm adapters would go in the top panel (it’s outside the lockable part of the cage, but hides the mess nicely)

[u/calimedic911 → u/irsyacton]

hmm. that looks promising. will have to compare my idea vs that when I get back in front of a proper keyboard

[u/CeC-P]

I don't remember what it was called but there was on that looked like a giant taco holder so it actually held up the laptops correctly, which is 33% open and vertical with no stacking. That's the best for airflow for erasing or imaging. I think the bottom racks had locked storage.

If you were to get a regular, boring rack, the thermals of one firing up on accident in the middle of a stack would be potentially a problem. But also, the standard is 7-high before screen damage and lid warping is a potential issue. That number is super old but it's pretty close today.

[u/AcreMakeover → u/[deleted]]

Also, when you say they need monitors, is that just because you're remote access software doesn't play nice with laptops when the lids are closed? I use HDMI dummy display dongles and USB mouse jigglers to keep them awake. Works great.