Vehicle Laptop Desk Suggestion

[Tony Laubach]

Saw this on eBay and thought, hmm, cheap!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...5163223664&rd=1

Other than it not having the ability to swivel, any downsides to this, or would this be better than spending the money on a jotto?

[Broken External Image]:http://userweb.nni.com/joeandshelley/joeshell/mountjoe04.jpg[Broken External Image]:http://userweb.nni.com/joeandshelley/joeshell/mountjoe06.jpg

$30.00 + $11.48 shipping = $41.48

If you have time, sift through some of the stuff they have on their website and read up. It sounds like a good bargin; I'd just miss the swivel arm. For those who have swivel arm mounts, how important is that feature?


-Tony

 

[David Drummond]

You can buy the stuff to make the exact same thing at Lowes or Home Depot Tony. I looked into getting one and found out all it is is PIPE under that, thus the reason they aren't adjustable. Plus making it yourself you could customize it exactly to your vehicle.

 

[cedwards]

It looks like it just mounts to the floor with screws. I would want some sort of brace as well. Most car floors are very flimsy and woudn't support this very well.

 

[John Diel]

I looked real hard at some of those before settling on a Jotto Desk. These are made from regular iron or steel pipe available at any hardware store. Elbow fitting, etc and some split lume for looks. The only thing that might be an issue is the plexiglass for the desk, but you could substitute whatever you wanted for that.

A swing arm is really nice. Especially if you have a passenger in a really cramped vehicle (Ford Ranger is REALLY cramped!). The swing arm makes all the difference. I can move the laptop where I want for best viewing, or the navigator can move it and still have "leg room". With a quick flip and twist I can remove the entire desk assembly leaving only the mount.

I tried another desk earlier and it just didn't fit my vehicle. Unfortunately, I can't remember the name. I gave it to a friend who is using it in his Dodge (TV Chaser) and it works out great for him.

The Jotto is a pretty good system, but pricey. Take a look at this one. It's a really decent price and is similar to Jotto: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...ssPageName=WDVW

Why didn't they have these when I was looking! :roll:

Charles: I mounted the Jotto to the center column using 1/4" self tapping screws. It's been in 6 months now and is still solid. There is some "give" but that's the nature of the whole system and the way the vehicle moved. My laptop isn't very heavy so that certainly helps. The newer laptop might need some additional bracing as they are certainly heavier than mine!

All things considered, I trust the Jotto a lot more than I would trust the pipe and plexi knock off.

 

[Kurt Hulst]

Im looking for something thats more shock obsorbant than the Felt pads im using to put my laptop on well it is on its tray anybody got any suggestions. Would a gell type pad work?

 

[John Diel]

Why not a couple of mousepads? That would certainly help a bit. I take it you already have a homebuilt desk of something of the like?

 

[Tony Laubach]

Im looking for something thats more shock obsorbant than the Felt pads im using to put my laptop on well it is on its tray anybody got any suggestions. Would a gell type pad work?

I've looked into getting something like this for my computer...

Not sure how it would work for you in the car, but definately a nice base to have anyway! Especially when driving around in hot weather when you may not want to run the AC all the time!

 

[Ben Engle]

just keep your eyes peeled for a jotto desk. thats what i have, and i found mine for like 70 dollars brand new on evilBay

 

[cedwards]

A swing arm is really nice. Especially if you have a passenger in a really cramped vehicle (Ford Ranger is REALLY cramped!).

I have a Ford Ranger. And yes, it is very cramped. I mounted the computer desk on a pole close to the center. It has a swivel, and you can raise it or lower it with just a thumb screw. My brace serves a dual purpose. It braces the laptop and the camera mount as well. Al least, now with the computer mount a passenger can get in. before, I had the computer using the passenger seat.

All parts to build my mount was bought at Lowes. Total cost, about $8

 

[Jeff Snyder]

I currently use a RAM mount... The nice thing about RAM is that they have a ton of completely interchangeable parts, so you can customize your desk exactly to your needs. Right now, I'm using a seat-rail mount desk (with support arm) that has a nice dual-hinge swinging arm. In addition, I have a coulpe smaller arms that hold my camcorder off the desk support as well. I'll post pics as soon as I take them...

 

[Tony Laubach]

Thanks for the suggestions.. it may also be worth noting that I have a very tiny car that many of the mounts aren't made for. Obviously I could get by with a universal mount, but many of the mounts made for specific vehicles I probably couldn't use. I drive a 1999 Mercury Tracer (Ford Escort) 4 door sedan.

 

[Skip Talbot]

I'm going to get the setup that John posted. The price is right and one of the pictures shows it in different configurations in a compact car. I have a Mercurcy Tracer hatchback so that should be ideal.

[Broken External Image]:http://www.midlandmounts.com/installed2.jpg

I messaged the guy and asked if they have it in bare metal, since the red is a little gaudy. He does. I'll report back here and let you know hot it goes.

 

[Andrew Geil]

One thing to keep in mind is the airbag. Having your Dell come flying at you at the speed of an airbag in an accident hurts. A lot.

 

[Brad Emel]

I'm in the market for getting a vehicle laptop mount too. I am looking at getting a Jotto Desk. The biggest question I have is if I need the model with 3 legs, or if 2 would be stable enough. I am putting this in my new Xterra, and they do not make prefabricated mounts. Any ideas or comments would be appreciated.

3 leg model - http://www.jottodesk.us/jotto_desk_5163acd.htm

2 leg model - http://www.jottodesk.us/jotto_desk_5169acd.htm

Tony I have problems with heat & the laptop too, where did you find that base cooler?

 

[Tony Laubach]

Tony I have problems with heat & the laptop too, where did you find that base cooler?

I borrowed that image from Best Buy, so I know you cna get them there. I would also check out eBay and see maybe if you can find something equivilent for cheaper. I haven't picked one up yet, so I'm not sure which to recommend, but it would be worth having one, I'm sure!