a house with one too many computers...

Cynic · Post by **Cynic** » Sun Jan 03, 2010 4:38 am

So our house currently has 4 laptops, two desktops, and three dead laptops (which I'll fix in the future at some point.)

The 4 lappies are usually on the main floor. So I currently sit in the corner of a room on the rocking chair and on my lap is my laptop and on the floor next to me (less than a foot away) are three laptops. And one of them is just a guest star and it'll be leaving tomorrow when it goes back to its own house.

I want a cheap and affordable storage solution under 100 (preferably 50 dollars) that could just hold all of them without causing much friction and bumping and also allowing for good airflow.

My current solution is to get two plastic tupper ware lids and drill holes in them for air flow and place them on a small makeshift cart.

Any better solutions.

Also, this gets me interested in figuring out the carbon footprint of our house now...

edit: is there an accurate footprint calculator out there that tries to at least include what you have in the house for electronics and appliances?

Avoraciopoctules · Post by **Avoraciopoctules** » Sun Jan 03, 2010 4:49 am

Why do your computers need airflow when they are in storage? If I needed to store a bunch of laptops, I'd probably just put them in a cardboard box and add some padding to keep them from getting jostled around too much if the box was getting moved around a lot.

If you intend to store them in a manner that would make it easy to use them, I think you could get a decent folding table for under 50 dollars. Or maybe just grab a couple tough sheets of plywood and some bricks if you want an extremely cheap shelf.

Cynic · Post by **Cynic** » Sun Jan 03, 2010 4:59 am

I mean to hold them during the night. Most of them are turned on running programs.

We have a market research consultant, a software designer, a green technology supervisor (ironic, I know) and my download machine.

So oftentimes, most of the comps are testing software or solutions through the night.

Crissa · Post by **Crissa** » Sun Jan 03, 2010 6:36 am

Look for server cabinets, though it sounds like you want a cheap solution. I'd suggest Halted Electronics.

-Crissa

Draco_Argentum · Post by **Draco_Argentum** » Sun Jan 03, 2010 7:39 am

Get some cheap shelves and point a cheap pedestal fan at them.

CatharzGodfoot · Post by **CatharzGodfoot** » Sun Jan 03, 2010 3:26 pm

Metal openwork shelving, like the kind people use in their workshops and garages. It's are great for conducting heat away from computers, and allows for good passive airflow as well.

Cynic · Post by **Cynic** » Mon Jan 04, 2010 7:58 pm

Crissa: server cabinets, and multi-laptop racks are in the 200+ range. So, yeah, I don't think I want to spend that much money on this thing as of now.

Catharz: that sounds like a pretty decent idea. Thanks.

Draco: I'd been planning on getting a wallfan or something similar. maybe get a few old cheap heatsinks and jury rig it to the metal office holders Catharz suggested.