[OPLINTECH] Laptops for staff

[Joe]

I would give a +1 to what Chad said.

To dock or not to dock is really  more of an individual workflow thing.  
For instance, I know anybody who has to do much work with spreadsheets 
is going to want a numeric keypad, and the easiest way to give them that 
is a usb keyboard.  I also like the simplicity for the staff, when they 
dock their laptop they plug in one usb cable.  Done.  No need for a 
proprietary dock that becomes obsolete in 3-5 years or a setup where 
they have to remember multiple cables to plug in..

Best of luck.

Joe


Joseph Knueven
Director
Germantown Public Library
51 N. Plum St.
Germantown, OH 45327
937-855-4001
knuevejo at oplin.org

On 10/23/2014 12:35 PM, Chad Neeper wrote:
> My 2 cents:
>
> Only a couple of the libraries I work with have library-owned laptops 
> that are dedicated to staff. I have a couple of directors that have 
> their own personal laptops that they use. However, speaking on my own 
> behalf, I use a single high-end desktop replacement laptop that goes 
> with me when I'm on-site. I also use it as my primary computer here in 
> the office. I've been using this same scenario for well over 10 years 
> (not going to bother figuring it out beyond that) and I find that 
> having a docking station is incredibly useful...mandatory even. I 
> have, however, stopped using any sort of docking solution that is 
> unique to a particular laptop or brand and have gone generic with a 
> USB-based "docking station". The solution works very well and doesn't 
> need to get replaced if I change laptops.
>
> You can buy (and I've used/liked) USB-based docking stations, but six 
> months or so ago I switched to just running a 10-port USB3 hub. I now 
> have everything plugged into the hub:  external USB->DVI displaylink 
> converters for my extra displays, USB->audio for my external speakers, 
> external USB->SATA hard drive, keyboard, a couple of label printers, 
> barcode scanner, etc. Just plugging in the USB hub (or docking 
> station) and power definitely beats having to connect up everything 
> directly to the laptop every time, or just work using the laptop's 
> display/keyboard/etc.
>
> Really, though, whether or not your staff need docking stations really 
> comes down to each staff member's workflow. For me, it's mandatory. 
> For someone else, however, perhaps not so much. My suggestion:  take a 
> few minutes to talk to the people you're getting laptops for to 
> understand how they are using (and how they _would like_ to use) their 
> devices. Don't let what someone else considers passé guide you!
>
> Chad
>
> ______________________________
> *Chad Neeper*
> Senior Systems Engineer
>
> *Level 9 Networks*
> 740-548-8070 (voice)
> 866-214-6607 (fax)
>
> /Full LAN/WAN consulting services -- Specialized in libraries and schools/
>
> On Thu, Oct 23, 2014 at 11:44 AM, Fred Miller Jr. <millerfr at oplin.org 
> <mailto:millerfr at oplin.org>> wrote:
>
>     Wanted to reach out to everyone and see what my fellow IT members
>     are using to replace staff members laptops that are using docking
>     stations. Some people I have talked to say docking stations are a
>     thing of the past, but our for our staff it is a great extension
>     when you have to take your laptop home. Thoughts?
>
>     Many Thanks,
>
>     /Fred Miller Jr/
>
>     IT Service Manager
>
>     Auglaize County Public District Library System
>
>     p: 419-738-2921 ext. 1011 <tel:419-738-2921%20ext.%201011>
>
>     f: 419-738-5168 <tel:419-738-5168>
>
>     w: www.auglaize.oplin.org <http://www.auglaize.oplin.org>
>
>     *_Visit our Library Website! <http://auglaize.oplin.org/>_*
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