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Mobility

How to set up your own mobile office

By Erik Eckel March 21, 2008, 1:46 AM PDT

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How to set up your own mobile office

Originally published March 2008.

IT consultants, field engineers and other technology professionals need mobile computing capacity, complete with widespread Internet connectivity. Here’s how to create just such a set up in your car and enjoy enhanced productivity.

How to set up your own mobile office

The Ram Mounts box

The Ram Mounts box

Here’s proof good things arrive in large, heavy boxes.

How to set up your own mobile office

The Ram Mounts box

The Ram Mounts box

Ram Mounting Systems Inc. manufactures and distributes mobile computing mounts for a wide variety of applications. I chose a Ram No-Drill Vehicle Laptop Mount to take create my mobile office.

How to set up your own mobile office

Vehicle power outlet

Vehicle power outlet

If you’re going to use a laptop in your car, you’re going to need power. This is especially true if you plan on using mobile broadband (or Internet service provided by a cellular telephone provider). Laptop computers must not only power their own electronics and display, but the wireless data communications, as well. That takes quite a toll on a typical six or nine cell battery.

Here is the Targus power outlet I chose to fuel my small business IT consultancy. This unit, purchased from a major office supply chain, was less than $70 and features surge protection and (car) battery depletion protection. Producing 90 watts, it’s capable of not only powering the laptop, but simultaneously charging the notebook battery.

How to set up your own mobile office

Second laptop power adapter

Second laptop power adapter

Mobile professionals are typically pressed for time, so who has time to repeatedly plug, coil, unplug and recoil a laptop power adapter and its cable? Skip the hassle. Purchase a second notebook adapter, thereby enabling you to keep one in your service vehicle.

How to set up your own mobile office

The office that's going mobile

The office that's going mobile

Here’s the service vehicle we’ll be equipping with a mobile, Internet-connected office.

How to set up your own mobile office

The before shot

The before shot

Here’s my truck’s interior before installing a laptop mount. In the past, I was forced to balance a laptop on my knees or precariously on the (too small) center console).

How to set up your own mobile office

Laptop mount installation

Laptop mount installation

Installing the Ram No-Drill Laptop mount in my truck (and many other cars and trucks) requires only removing a few bolts. In the case of my Jeep, the two black bolts that secure the front of the seat to the body need just to be unscrewed.

How to set up your own mobile office

Ram Mounts baseplate

Ram Mounts baseplate

Here’s the heavy duty Ram Mounts base plate. The plate attaches securely to the vehicle using the existing front passenger seat bolts.

How to set up your own mobile office

Ram Mounts telescope riser

Ram Mounts telescope riser

The Ram Mounts telescope riser connects the laptop tray to the baseplate.

How to set up your own mobile office

Ram Mounts installation

Ram Mounts installation

With the telescoping riser connected to the base plate, the assembly is ready for installation. Again, the baseplate is easily secured using the seat’s existing rail bolts, as shown here.

How to set up your own mobile office

Some assembly required

Some assembly required

While the RAM No-Drill Vehicle Laptop Mount does not require drilling any holes, some assembly is required. Here are the parts that must be assembled to create the unit’s swing arm (which enables simple positioning and repositioning of the laptop mount).

How to set up your own mobile office

Swing arm assembly

Swing arm assembly

Here’s how the Ram Mounts’ swing arm components look once assembled. The long tube, shown here, is then inserted inside the telescoping riser we’ve already connected to the system’s baseplate.

How to set up your own mobile office

Ram Mounts assembly

Ram Mounts assembly

Once the telescoping riser and swing arm are connected, as shown here, you’re ready to attach the patented Universal Laptop Holder.

How to set up your own mobile office

Universal laptop holder

Universal laptop holder

Ram Mounts’ Universal Laptop Holder uses spring tension to secure laptops of varying sizes.

How to set up your own mobile office

Universal laptop holder

Universal laptop holder

The Ram Mount Systems’ Universal Ram Tough Tray connects to the pedestal assembly using a round, adjustable socket joint.

How to set up your own mobile office

Retaining arms

Retaining arms

Four rubberized retaining arms can be positioned in numerous locations vertically and horizontally, thereby ensuring a secure, snug fit.

How to set up your own mobile office

The Targus power supply

The Targus power supply

Here’s a close up view of the Targus power supply. Besides offering a surge-protected power outlet, the device provides an additional cigarette adapter.

How to set up your own mobile office

Apple power supply

Apple power supply

As mentioned earlier, like many mobile professionals, I don’t have time to constantly connect and disconnect my laptop’s power adapter and move it between my office and truck. Instead, I simply purchased a second power adapter (shown here).

How to set up your own mobile office

Power inverter installation

Power inverter installation

The Ram Mounts baseplate offered a snug channel in which I could place the Targus power inverter. I secured the inverter using two zip ties (which aren’t even seen in the vehicle, since it’s essentially tucked beneath the seat).

How to set up your own mobile office

Laptop adapter

Laptop adapter

Next I carefully routed the power adapter’s cable, after plugging the adapter into the inverter.

How to set up your own mobile office

Mobile broadband service

Mobile broadband service

My laptop (Windows or Macintosh) receives widespread Internet access courtesy of a mobile broadband Internet connection. Here you can see the USBConnect adapter installed in my laptop.

How to set up your own mobile office

Cable management

Cable management

I originally chose to secure the power adapter’s cable using a zip tie, but later realized occasions may arise when I need to take the power adapter with me. Although the situation rarely arises, using an adjustable zip tie, as shown here, provides flexibility.

How to set up your own mobile office

The mobile office -- complete!

The mobile office -- complete!

My days are much more productive now. Having a stable, secure computing platform in my truck makes it much easier to invoice clients while on-site, catch up on e-mail, more quickly respond to client inquiries, place equipment and software orders online, better review maps and driving directions and more.

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By Erik Eckel
Erik Eckel is a managing partner at Louisville Geek and president of Eckel Media Corp. He previously served as Executive Editor at CNET Networks' TechRepublic. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in English from the University of Louisville and received
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