Shop Computer Setup

[antman213]

I'm putting together a computer cart for the shop and was curious what others have done for this purpose.
Luckily I found a shipping desk that I can use for it and I have plenty of old monitors and whatnot.

Mainly my concern is will a mouse and keyboard hold up in a shop environment.

Does anyone know of a product for this purpose, maybe a water/oil proof mouse/keyboard that can be washed. Or something for a cover?

Whats your setup?

 

[kbuhagiar]

Instead of a desktop PC, I've re-purposed my #2 laptop (8-year-old Sony Vaio) to shop duty. Makes it easy to move it around in the shop when reading online manuals, directions, etc. Works great and saves space.

I do use a mouse (Logitech MX2 Anywhere mouse), as I am not keen on touchpads.

When finished I close the lid and that provides all the protection I need.

 

[Zeus36]

Computer is a Small Form Factor Dell with a WiFi adapter. Went with a trackball vs. a mouse to eliminate the mousing area. Keyboard is currently wired and stands on edge against the top self pillar when not in use to keep out debris. Mounted an old 55 inch TV as a monitor on the shop wall to keep it up and out of the way. Laptop and monitor covers used to be a thing, don't see them much anymore. At some point, I will hook up a wireless keyboard with a slide out keyboard tray under the bench - wide enough to hold the trackball as well.

 

[Wyoming09]

I'd use a wireless mouse and keyboard. Keep them in the top of the desk when not in use.

 

[alex71]

Here's an alternative which may work depending on what you are doing...

If all you need are the basics... Web browsing, YouTube, looking at pdfs and playing music, you can do all of the with a smart tv.

I installed a $250 42" Hisense Google tv in my garage. Attached a Bluetooth keyboard with integrated touchpad. Does all the stuff great, and runs many android apps.

 

[dr_clyde]

Just use a cheap keyboard and mouse and toss them when they get gross. I use my computers in a shop every day and they stay decent if you use external peripherals and wash your hands before using them.

 

[RPH]

Worked in the industrial conditions. I used a cheap trackball as it didn’t get the grime from the site. If it failed I was out $20. Most hold up quite well though.

 

[crewchief888]

we buy the cheapest keyboards we can find for shop computers. they get dusty, dirty and oily from multiple users during the day.
couple times a year the keyboards need replaced.
we tried a couple of flexible/water resistant keyboards, i personally didnt like them, they have no "feel" to the keys

field mechanics have refurbed HP laptops. my last one held up for several years of abuse. was only replaced because of the need for win10. some programs only worked with win10.

 

[Bubba Fett]

You can get keyboard covers. They are clear enough to see the keys, and still allow you to type. It's best to look up your model keyboard and find the right cover in order to get the best fit.

Disposable mouse covers also exist, but I've never tried them.

 

[crewchief888]

You can get keyboard covers. They are clear enough to see the keys, and still allow you to type. It's best to look up your model keyboard and find the right cover in order to get the best fit.

Disposable mouse covers also exist, but I've never tried them.

we tried the keyboard covers, they lasted 6 months or so

 

[toolenthusiast]

Read the service information before you start disassembly and you won’t have to worry about the keyboard getting greasy

 

[crewchief888]

Read the service information before you start disassembly and you won’t have to worry about the keyboard getting greasy

its not just accessing "service info" our laptops have diagnostic software on them directly linked to the machine's controllers, ECU and DCU.

 

[Citation]

Generally a keyboard and optical mouse will hold up well. They are also very cheap so just replace as needed.

 

[homebuilt burner]

I work with a lot of different shops. I see two approaches mainly. Cheap and dirty and don’t feel bad when it fails. Or high end toughbooks computers. I use my iPad and try to keep it clean.

 

[toolenthusiast]

its not just accessing "service info" our laptops have diagnostic software on them directly linked to the machine's controllers, ECU and DCU.

This thread is not about a laptop with diagnostic software, it’s about a desktop computer on a huge metal rolling desk. The more I think about it, the more I wonder exactly what OP is doing with it.

 

[crewchief888]

This thread is not about a laptop with diagnostic software, it’s about a desktop computer on a huge metal rolling desk. The more I think about it, the more I wonder exactly what OP is doing with it.

We also use "mobile" desktops in the shops, all mounted on a 5 drawer HF cart

 

[RedneckWelder]

We are issued laptops at work for timekeeping, work order management, service info, and diagnostics but viewing schematics and diagrams on a 15” screen gets old quick so I set up a cheap 40” TV as my monitor. I have an auxiliary 20” monitor when I need to do split screen work and if **** gets real deep I can open the laptop up and have three screens going. I keep the whole shebang on a very large shop made rolling steel cabinet.

Never an issue with shop grime, I just clean it every once in a while.

 

[RedneckWelder]

This thread is not about a laptop with diagnostic software, it’s about a desktop computer on a huge metal rolling desk. The more I think about it, the more I wonder exactly what OP is doing with it.

Those foreman desks aren’t huge and a mobile cart setup with a monitor works great for going to the work.

 

[Jbullfrog]

I have an office, next to my shop, where my desktop computer and printer live. I like to wash my hands before entering the office. I also have a Dell Rugged Tablet that I use everywhere. I use it's camera and a bore scope in the shop quite often.

 

[Whitworth]

I haven't had any problems with keyboards, but mice will deteriorate after a while from solvents and oils. The rubber scroll wheel goes first. Just replace them when they do.

Depends on what kind of shop, (grease monkey, machine shop, woodworking,) and how tidy you are in the shop.

 

[RPH]

We are issued laptops at work for timekeeping, work order management, service info, and diagnostics but viewing schematics and diagrams on a 15” screen gets old quick so I set up a cheap 40” TV as my monitor. I have an auxiliary 20” monitor when I need to do split screen work and if **** gets real deep I can open the laptop up and have three screens going. I keep the whole shebang on a very large shop made rolling steel cabinet.

Never an issue with shop grime, I just clean it every once in a while.

Try doing that on a iPhone screen!

 

[theoldwizard1]

Clamp the base of the monitor to the desk.

 

[antman213]

Clamp the base of the monitor to the desk.

I have a pipe I'm going to mount and get a monitor bracket to attach it.
Being top heavy is a big concern on this thing

 

[Zewnten]

Read the service information before you start disassembly and you won’t have to worry about the keyboard getting greasy

Are you my IT guy? You sound like him , he also wants to know why I need my computer to run for more than an hour unplugged

OP could be using diag software? Lots of guys with PICO carts and such on the facebook groups