Laptop charging trolley
Mobile steel trolleys for charging and securing multiple laptops.
A laptop charging trolley, also known as a laptop trolley or laptop cart, is a mobile storage container used to charge laptops, netbooks, and tablet computers en masse. These trolleys are predominantly used in schools that have replaced traditional static ICT suites of desktop computers with laptops but lack sufficient plug sockets to charge all devices. The trolleys can be wheeled between rooms and classrooms, allowing anyone in a building to access fully charged IT equipment. They are also designed to deter and protect against opportunistic and organized theft, being generally made of steel and keeping laptops locked up while not in use.
- First uk model
- Mentor, introduced in 2000
- First uk manufacturer
- LapSafe Products
- Charging types
- ChargeLine (uses original AC adaptors) and SmartLine (uses pre-configured charging cables)
- Safety alert year
- 2009
- Issuing body
- UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
- Certification required
- CE Certification mark
Lore & Background
The first laptop charging trolley produced in the UK, the Mentor, appeared in 2000 and was designed and manufactured by LapSafe Products. It offered two kinds of laptop charging: ChargeLine, where users plug a laptop's original AC adaptor into flush plug sockets inside the unit, and patented SmartLine, which replaces AC adaptors with pre-configured charging cables to save time. The original trolley was designed to be modular so that modules could be replaced and upgraded for new equipment. There are now several manufacturers worldwide, ranging from basic budget trolleys that simply charge devices to more sophisticated carts that are highly secure and use integrated charging. Some trolleys can serve as complete mobile ICT classrooms, coming with a wireless router for internet access and data cables to update all laptops with software simultaneously.
Reader's Guide
Laptop charging trolleys have become significant in educational settings by enabling schools to move away from static ICT suites while managing device charging and security. Their steel construction and locking mechanisms help prevent theft, particularly in open-plan schools that are prime targets. The ability to wheel trolleys between rooms allows flexible access to fully charged equipment. However, the UK Health and Safety Executive issued a health and safety alert in 2009 after an incident where a person received an electric shock from stored charge on a plug. The HSE stated that some trolleys had been sold without proper safety processes, contrary to European law, and advised buyers to ensure products display the CE mark. This safety issue created much furore throughout the industry. The legacy of the trolley includes a wide variety of models, from static lockers to RFID-equipped cabinets that track devices, and newer versions designed for tablets. Buyers are advised to carefully examine a product's safety, sophistication, and level of security before purchasing.
Did You Know?
- The first UK laptop charging trolley, the Mentor, was introduced in 2000 by LapSafe Products.
- Some trolleys include a wireless router and data cables to function as a complete mobile ICT classroom.
- In 2009, the UK Health and Safety Executive issued an alert after a person received an electric shock from stored charge on a trolley's plug.
- Laptop charging trolleys are generally made of steel and can be mounted to floors or walls to prevent theft.
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