Bretford Intros Netbook Cart and Charger


NEC's new P-series projectors offer XGA or WXGA resolutions and a 2,000:1 contrast ratio.

At the FETC 2011 conference being held in Orlando, FL, Bretford Manufacturing demoed a new netbook cart that securely stores and charges up to 36 classroom netbooks.

The new Netbook36-CT features a microchip-driven power management system that extends the battery life of netbooks by automatically lowering the amount of current to batteries that are close to fully charged.

In addition to automatic current limiting, the power management system offers three power options: round robin, turbo, and auxiliary. The round robin power option charges netbooks by sending power to the power bank with the largest amount of discharged netbooks, while the turbo power mode charges one power bank of 12 computers.

For storing the netbooks and power cables, the cart provides 36 individual netbook compartments, three full-width shelves, and a power adapter cable closet with room for 430 feet of cable. Individual netbook compartments measure 10" x 12.25" x 2.25" and have numbers that are laser-cut into them to make them visible from the cable closet. (The full cart dimensions are 31" (H) x 32" (W) x 26" (D).

The cart also includes auxiliary power cables, an electrical outlet for wireless routers, perforated doors and panels for cooling, and a steel panel that separates the netbooks from the heat of the power adapter closet. The cart is made of 18-gauge steel and offers security features that include welded construction, a multiple-point locking system, and programmable combination locks.

The Netbook36-CT ships fully assembled for $3,505. Further information is available here.

About the Author

Dan Thompson is a freelance writer based in Brea, CA. He can be reached here.

Featured

  • Abstract AI circuit board pattern

    Nonprofit LawZero to Work Toward Safer, Truthful AI

    Turing Award-winning AI researcher Yoshua Bengio has launched LawZero, a nonprofit aimed at developing AI systems that prioritize safety and truthfulness over autonomy.

  • stylized illustration of a desktop, laptop, tablet, and smartphone all displaying an orange AI icon

    Survey: AI Shifting from Cloud to PCs

    A recent Intel-commissioned report identifies a significant shift in AI adoption, moving away from the cloud and closer to the user. Businesses are increasingly turning to the specialized hardware of AI PCs, the survey found, recognizing their potential not just for productivity gains, but for revolutionizing IT efficiency, fortifying data security, and delivering a compelling return on investment by bringing AI capabilities directly to the edge.

  • magnifying glass with AI icon in the center

    Google Releases Learning-Themed AI Mode Features for Search

    Ahead of back-to-school season, Google has introduced new AI Mode features in Search, including image and PDF queries on desktop, a Canvas tool for planning, real-time help with Search Live, and Lens integration in Chrome.

  • sunlit classroom with laptops on every desk, each displaying a glowing AI speech bubble icon above the screen

    Copilot Chat and Microsoft 365 Copilot to Become Available for Teen Students

    This summer, Microsoft is expanding availability of its Copilot Chat and Microsoft 365 Copilot products for students aged 13 and older. Administrators will be able to grant access for students based on their institution's plans and preferences, the company announced in a blog post.