Computer in the shop?

[Andy Griffith]

Thanks for the replies, I'll have to cruise ebay and craigslist and see what I can find.

The advantage of a docking station for a laptop is that you don't have to hook up the various cables each time to the keyboard, mouse, monitor, etc?

This is some of the stuff that's been sitting around my shop from my sons previous builds. Looks like it would need at least a case w/fans, optical drive, OS, and power supply.

 

[StarWolve]

I always hated using the keyboard and mouse with greasy hands, so what I did was to use a laptop hooked up to an older touchscreen. The laptop is a Dell D420, and it sits on the top of the fridge underneath my bench. I set it up so that the machine can be used without any keyboard or mouse, by using an onscreen keyboard when needed. The orientation of the laptop is also perfect, as I can press the power button without having to reach way underneath the bench. A small set of speakers provides sound for the garage.

While I wouldn't want to surf the web for hours using this setup, with a few favorites and shortcuts, it's very efficient for digital parts manuals, music, and a few commonly used websites.

My plan for the detached garage will use this touchscreen, but I plan on building a better system for that building. Wired speakers, a receiver, etc. But the touch screen will be mounted on a wall in the main bay (outside the office) so that the music can still be controlled without having to go into my "office" and using a mouse or keyboard.

 

[Interex]

The advantage of a docking station for a laptop is that you don't have to hook up the various cables each time to the keyboard, mouse, monitor, etc?

Correct, push one button and it's off. You can even do it while the laptop is still running with most models.

 

[IONH]

I just bought an articulating arm mount for an old 22" HannsG monitor I was using out there. The computer is a refurb'd HP which I got for less than $300 about 3 years ago. I have an external wireless antenna to get me a better signal from the house as the garage is detached and the router is at the far other end of the main building.

Before

After

I stand the keyboard up against the left cabinet when not in use.

 

[Sage55]

Unless you want some big computer tower or desktop PC taking up space then I'd recommend getting a small mini PC. The Foxconn NTA350 does wonders, more than powerful enough to browse the internet, play mp3 playlists, run programs, etc while still being able to be wall or monitor mounted and uses little energy.

Simply add memory and a hard drive and you're ready to rock, and if you really want to make it go faster than add an SSD!

 

[tkiranch]

If you are going to leave your laptop plugged in all the time, it is reccomended that you take out the Battery. just keep it stored and full charge, it should be fine. I use a netbook for my shop computers. I got them from people who just wanted to get rid of them. I cleaned up the software and they work fine. I have used them to do some surfing, keeping track of my maintenance, and we use it as an intercom. We use skype, my wife can be in the house and just log on, look at the shop and talk to me. Due to my disability, She can check on me from where ever she is. It works out pretty good. The webcam works for the skype and we can take a look at the shop and listen in, when ever we want. Security somewhat.

 

[m_hatcher]

Thanks for the replies, I'll have to cruise ebay and craigslist and see what I can find.

The advantage of a docking station for a laptop is that you don't have to hook up the various cables each time to the keyboard, mouse, monitor, etc?

This is some of the stuff that's been sitting around my shop from my sons previous builds. Looks like it would need at least a case w/fans, optical drive, OS, and power supply.

What you have there would be overkill for a shop PC. If all you will be doing is browsing and reading then sell that stuff and you will have enough for a nice used nettop which is perfect for a shop.

 

[Sage55]

What you have there would be overkill for a shop PC. If all you will be doing is browsing and reading then sell that stuff and you will have enough for a nice used nettop which is perfect for a shop.

I agree... then again some people just like blowing money for the fun of it.

Mini PC works just fine for me.

 

[shirkdog]

Here is another idea for a computer station in a garage / factory environment.

A customer of ours sent these photos in last week.

A customer of ours purchased this custom Garage Pals base cabinet on wheels and asked us to mount a maple butcher block on top as well. We didn't know they were going to cut out the back side for their computer cables...or we would have cut it out for them!

Thanks.

 

[gabedad]

Thanks for the replies, I'll have to cruise ebay and craigslist and see what I can find.

The advantage of a docking station for a laptop is that you don't have to hook up the various cables each time to the keyboard, mouse, monitor, etc?

This is some of the stuff that's been sitting around my shop from my sons previous builds. Looks like it would need at least a case w/fans, optical drive, OS, and power supply.

If you want to sell the 5870 - let me know

 

[Thndr]

You can buy used/refurb blade servers with dual xeon procs for about $100. These are server grade machines made to be ran all the time, that you can mount under a workbench. They are plenty fast, but usually loud. They can be power hogs though

 

[98TJ]

Here is another idea for a computer station in a garage / factory environment.

A customer of ours sent these photos in last week.

A customer of ours purchased this custom Garage Pals base cabinet on wheels and asked us to mount a maple butcher block on top as well. We didn't know they were going to cut out the back side for their computer cables...or we would have cut it out for them!

Thanks.

Definitely needs some cable management.

 

[solar_eclipse2]

The typically view from my shop

I think a tablet is the best for in your shop.

Is that the 7" galaxy tab? If so what case is that?

 

[Eloquaint]

I like the idea of a tablet but its going to get covered in coolant/oil/brake fluid etc etc. I think, as mentioned by earlier posters, either an expendable keyboard along with a tablet or a cheap CL laptop are the way to go. Maybe with an old pc as a media server/router. Not hard to put security on that list as well if you want to go that route.

I know that I personally don't need anything powerful in a garage, it's more about portability and visibility.