How to Choose the Best Laptop Cart for Home?
Table of Contents
Top Best Laptop Carts Based on Reviews and Price
What is a Laptop Cart?
Laptop carts are called by other names like laptop trolleys and laptop charging trolleys. These are mobile storage containers used for charging not just laptops, but also tablets and notebooks. Traditionally, these carts were used in schools as a replacement to the conventional static ICT suites of desktop computers.
You might probably have used a laptop cart when you were in your school computer lab. But, now you plan to buy the best laptop cart for your home use.
However, most laptop carts do not come with enough plug sockets to charge many devices. The main purpose of any laptop cart is to provide users with the secured space required for safeguarding their laptops.
8 Factors to Consider Before Buying a Laptop Cart
If you plan to buy a laptop cart for use in your home, you should be aware of the points to consider in your shopping. The decision you make at this point of shopping will help you ensure that your laptop will remain safe for years to come with a secure storing station. Now, let us delve into the points to consider in shopping for the right laptop cart for your needs:
1. Capacity of Laptop Cart
Manufacturers produce laptop storage carts in different configurations. Do you know that carts that can hold not just a single laptop, but you will come across carts that can hold more than 30 tablets, laptops and other devices? When talking about capacity, you should consider the maximum holding capacity of the cart. Of course, manufacturers would have specified the utmost capacity of any cart. However, you might not be able to load the laptops fully in the cart.
The number will vary based on the adapters and size of your laptops. For instance, some adapters can entirely cover the plugs on the power strip. On the other hand, some devices are too large to be placed on a specific shelf in the cart. So, to choose the best laptop cart, the best thing you can do is to measure the tablets or laptops. Also, you should compare them to the compartment listed in the product description before you move ahead with the selection of a cart.
2. Consider the Material Used
You should also consider the material used by the manufacturer in producing a laptop cart. In general, laptop carts come in four different material types and they are glass, plastic, wood, and metal.
Metal Laptop Cart
Many laptop carts use durable steel construction. The good thing about this material is that it can withstand heavy use. Most importantly, it is really hard to break into when your laptop cart is made using any type of metal. However, make sure that the quality of the metal is good to prevent rust formation.
Wood Laptop Cart
If you wish to add a classic look to your décor and want the laptop cart to be attractive, you can consider a wood-based cart. When you choose this material, you should make sure that the cart does not weigh more. The thing you should be careful about this material is that you should ensure that water spills do not happen in a wood-based cart. Frequent water exposure can damage the wood particles. You should immediately wipe if water spills happen mistakenly.
Plastic Laptop Cart
The good thing about plastic carts is that you can find them in different colors. So, it will be easier for you to choose the color that fits the other interiors in your home. Also, you will have to ensure that good-quality plastic has been used. Plastic carts will generally weigh less compared to metal and wood. But, you should check whether it will stay long as plastic carts generally have less durability compared to the other two materials discussed above.
Glass Laptop Cart
If you wish that your laptop cart should have a premium look, you can very well choose the one made using glass. But, when you choose this material, you should handle it with care. It can crack based on the quality of glass used if you place something with force on a glass laptop cart.
So, it is better to weigh the pros and cons of the four materials stated above. One material that suits one person need not essentially fit another. So, you should consider your personal preferences as well when selecting a material.
3. Consider the Number of Shelves
Of course, most laptop users do not want to have a separate keyboard as laptops have their own keyboard. Also, you can place the mouse if required as well on the same shelf as your laptop. So, a single shelf is generally enough for a laptop cart.
But, just in case, you need other accessories like a pair of speakers, some books and other stuff, you will come across carts with nearly 4 shelves. If you wish to charge even your tablet in the same cart, you can consider the cart with more than a single shelf.
4. How About the Certifications?
As you are particular about buying the best laptop cart, you can consider buying a certified cart. Here are some certifications that you will come across for this product:
CPSC – 16 CFR 1303 Compliant
You know that lead is a harmful material. When you are continuously exposed to lead, it can cause health problems in the long run. So, it is better to choose a laptop cart with the certification that it is free of lead. This is what CPSC – 16 CFR 1303 Compliant is all about.
Fire Rating
Otherwise called fire-resistance rating, this rating denotes the duration for which passive fire protection will stay with the laptop cart. So, before you buy a cart you can check whether it has this rating.
TAA Compliant
If you are in the United States and wish that the cart must have been made in the US, you should check whether the product is TAA Compliant. It means that at least 50% of the product production happened in the United States.
GSA Approved
If the manufacturer or the seller of a product has GSA approval, it means that they are approved to sell their products to the US government through the US General Services. When a product has this approval, you can stay assured about its quality. So, having this certification in a product will help.
Greenguard Certified
Any product with this certification is scientifically proven to meet the world’s most strict third-party chemical emission standards. When you have products with this certification, you can stay assured that the chances of internal air pollution caused by the product in your home are considerably reduced. The best laptop cart will come with this certification to ensure your safety and also the safety of your family members.
Apart from these 5 certifications, even carts come with other certifications. Examples include LEED Project Appropriate, SCS Certified, UL, CSA, Greenguard Gold Certification, etc. So, check the product description to know whether the product has any of these certifications before shopping.
5. What Type Of Features To Expect?
In the process of shopping for the best laptop cart, you should also be aware of the best features to expect from the unit before shopping. When it comes to features, you can expect the following features that will make your investment the best undoubtedly:
Mobility
You might have opted for a laptop against a desktop system mainly for its mobility. So, when it comes to shopping for the laptop cart, the facility to move the cart from one place to another will make the usage of your laptop easier even when it is being charged. It means that you should check whether the cart comes with wheels.
Height Adjustment
Of course, you will be using your laptop personally and not with other members of your family. So, you might think that a single static height will be enough. But, you might not want to sit in the same chair whenever you use the laptop. In these instances, when the cart has a height adjustment facility, it will be helpful for you.
Charging Capabilities
Even though laptop carts are meant both for placing and charging laptops, some models do not have the facility to charge. So, before you buy a cart for your laptop, it is better to ensure that it has charging capabilities.
Pullout Shelf
Even when you decide to go for a laptop cart with more than a single shelf, it would be better to check whether the shelves underneath and the main shelf can be removed when not in use. Sometimes, you might think about having the main shelf alone and the second one is not essentially. On the other hand, in some instances, you might feel that an additional shelf will help. When you go for a laptop cart with shelves that you can pull out, you can easily remove them when not required and can add them when required.
6. Assembled or not Assembled?
Some carts come pre-assembled, while you will have to assemble some. So, if you are not comfortable with assembling yourself, you should check whether the cart comes pre-assembled or you will have to take care of the assembling yourself.
7. Size of Laptop Cart
When talking about the size, you will have to consider everything right from height, width, and length. You will find units with a low height of fewer than 32 inches and standard height will be between 32 and 42 inches. If you want a tall unit, the height will be more than 42 inches. In the same way, you will have to decide whether you need a cart with narrow, standard, or wide width and should make your selection accordingly.
8. Look for Ventilation
Always remember that extreme cold or heat can damage your valuable system. So, most laptop carts come with louvers for proper ventilation. When charging, your laptop should stay cool. So, make sure to choose a cart with louvers.
Conclusion
You have spent a huge on your laptop. To safeguard it, you need the right laptop cart. Considering the factors above will help you with the selection of the best laptop cart.
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