Community Forums

NavlAv8r · 03-10-2008, 07:10 PM

My wife wants to take our desktop computer and printer with us for the summer and I'm wondering what some of you do? There must be some creative ideas for storing the CPU and printer, yet still making them easily accessible (for turning on/off and loading paper) without causing overheating problems.

Any ideas?

Thanks

NavlAv8r · 03-10-2008, 07:10 PM

My wife wants to take our desktop computer and printer with us for the summer and I'm wondering what some of you do? There must be some creative ideas for storing the CPU and printer, yet still making them easily accessible (for turning on/off and loading paper) without causing overheating problems.

Any ideas?

Thanks

full-timer · 03-11-2008, 07:23 AM

I started out with a desktop and faced the problems you have. I now have a laptop which makes traveling easier.

Joe

offshore · 03-11-2008, 08:28 AM

We also have a Dell laptop and a Cannon i-80 color printer. When we were in our fiver we had a desk but we are now in a MH and no desk. My wife uses a wireless card and keeps the laptop on her side of the dash. The printer is small enough to also keep it on the dash. Its something you have to adjust to..itll work OK.

MtManLee · 03-11-2008, 09:10 AM

The wife and I also tried using our desktops, too bulky and hard to find a place to store and took up the kitchen table to use them. We now have two lap tops and a printer and we are using just small foldup tables bought a camping world as our desks.

RV Wizard · 03-11-2008, 04:58 PM

A desktop may not survive the riggers of traveling very long. A laptop is the way to go. Good luck and enjoy!

Renegades · 03-11-2008, 06:01 PM

As mentioned a desktop is bulky to take along on the road. BUT if that is all that you have it is doable. Besides our laptops I also take the desktop as it has an extra hard drive in it plus an external hard drive. If your dining table does not have booth seats but have chairs, then do like I do and put the desktop up next to the outside wall facing towards the rear. That way while your sitting there you can get to it. If you don't have a flat panel monitor then get one. They take up far less room than a standard monitor and don't weight as much. While you travel or need to eat, put the monitor, keyboard and mouse on the floor out of the way and just put it on the table when you need it. Not knowing the coach layout, you might keep the printer under the table until you need it. I took out my recliner and put in a secretary's desk and the printer sits next to the desk.

Hope this info helps some. Yes the only way to go is with laptops but as I said, it's doable.

Jim

Gary RVRoamer · 03-12-2008, 04:46 PM

I built a desk for my tower computer and HP all-in-One printer/scanner and it works fine. Have carried it for over 11,000 miles.

I have an LCD monitor and it stays right on the desktop. I have a heavy bungy cord that goes around the base to keep it in place while driving.

GoneFishin · 03-13-2008, 08:42 AM

Although taking a desktop computer could work while traveling in the MH, we chose to leave them behind and took our 2 laptops with the Canon i-90 color photo printer. We use a Verizon air card in a Cradlepoint wireless router and both of us can connect to the internet at the same time. We set up the printer when we need to and it sits on the dining table or the dash. My DH uses his laptop (in the recliner) with a small foldup lap desk that keeps him and the laptop cool. I've set up a portable lap desk (from Staples) on the steering wheel and my laptop stays there most of the time. It's out of the way from the other living areas and I usually have a fantastic view.

Jackm · 03-22-2008, 10:38 PM

We solved our computer needs by installing a wall-mounted, drop-leaf table from IKEA (www.IKEA-usa.com). The product is called the NORBO and it cost around $30 (plus shipping). Because it utilizes a drop-leaf design, it's only there when you actually need it. Because the walls are hollow, I used expansion anchors to install the unit. All you need is around 30 inches of wall space. Awesome product at a great price. Best of luck.

Jack