Flip up table for Laptop / Notebook

[markopolo]

I saw a 19" LED TV on sale for $110 and was very much tempted to buy it I would have had to buy a mount etc.

But, I already bought a USB TV adapter for my 17" Laptop so I figured that I better try to make that work first.
I had flip up / fold down shelf brackets that I bought years ago and never ended up using them. The brackets have a slot so you have to lift and then fold the shelf down. To have the shelf up you swing the shelf out to 90 degrees then set it into the slots by pushing down.

The shelf is leftover kitchen cupboard shelf particle board. I put carpenters glue into the six screw holes then fastened the shelf to the brackets using the screws included in the bracket's package - hopefully the glue will help strengthen the particle board. I ironed on the white edge banding. The brackets are attached to the outside of the closet using bolts not screws.





This may become the laptop's permanent position when traveling.



With the van's passenger seat swiveled to face the laptop I can lean forward to check email etc. It's not bad for short periods of use.
I positioned it more for watching TV and movies when both van seats are swiveled to face that direction.



Access in and out of the van is not impeded much by the laptop shelf.

[markopolo]

Today, I ran wire for a duplex 110 volt outlet and coaxial cable for TV/cable up passenger side from the rear of the van to the front where the laptop table is. That's much nicer than having cords on the floor etc. as the new wiring is hidden from view running behind the closet and bathroom etc.

And.... if the laptop as a TV doesn't work out then it is ready for a actual TV

[wabbit]

I had a flip up table, similar to the one in your picture, in one of the floor layouts from Sportsmobile, but I had it directly behind the driver's seat, so that when the seat was spun to face rearward, it would be usable for the laptop computer.

[Davydd]

Marko,

How do you sit at the laptop? Does the front passenger seat reach it? I kind of always thought of a laptop computer as a "laptop" computer. I use mine at home in my lap on a recliner chair almost exclusively.

On the road I like to keep it stored away and hidden in a cabinet and this past year I traveled with it but ended up using my iPad almost all the time. I used my laptop much more for file management (mostly photos), backup and such on a very sporadic basis. I just don't have a lot of time for computer use an my desire to use computers goes down on the road compared to home use. It drops down from hobby and fun to just what is necessary.

[markopolo]

I have to lean forward quite a bit to use the laptop as the seat doesn't slide toward it far enough. It's ok for short term use. You would not want to spend too much time in that position.

The large laptop will do double duty functioning as a TV. http://www.classbforum.com/phpBB2/vi...hp?f=42&t=2305 Both fronts seats swivel. I don't have a sofa in the rear of my van so we'll watch TV or a movie using the front seats. That is the primary reason for the shelf.

With power to that location now I might occasionally place the toaster or coffee maker there

I use my iPod often when traveling for checking email and simple web use. The computer use of the laptop is mainly for forum related activity, maintenance, backups, account activations etc.