Mobile workstation: choosing the right cart

A mobile workstation brings your laptop, monitor and accessories to wherever you work. Whether you need it for data capture in the warehouse, for documentation at different stations or as a workstation shared by several users, what matters is which devices are moved together and how you operate them. This guide takes you from your device list to the right SIC cart.

1. Which devices need to go on the cart?

Start with a complete list: notebook or mini PC, screen, keyboard, mouse, scanner, printer and their power adapters. Note down their dimensions and weight. Also consider where the devices will be kept while the cart is on the move. A scanner lying on an open surface needs a different solution from a permanently mounted screen.

For a laptop, a notebook stand with a work surface may be sufficient. If you work with a separate keyboard for longer periods or carry other materials with you, a pull-out keyboard tray, a drawer and shelves become important selection criteria. With an all-in-one PC or a separate monitor, you will also need a suitable monitor mount. You can check the hole spacing and device weight with the help of our VESA guide.

Check the scope of delivery for each product: the IT hardware shown in SIC product images is not included. So before ordering, make separate lists of the accessories already included and any additional components you need.

2. Fixed or adjustable height?

A fixed working height suits a clearly defined application. The K-26000 notebook stand, for example, has a fixed height of 1,050 mm and a work surface of 640 × 505 mm. According to the product specifications, the work surface has a load capacity of up to 10 kg. Check this height against your planned workflow before you decide.

If different people use the workstation or the tasks vary, an adjustable work surface is often the better starting point. Two specifications need to be distinguished here: the adjustment travel describes how far the surface can be moved. The minimum and maximum working heights determine whether the cart suits the sitting or standing position you want. The adjustment travel alone does not tell you this.

Similarly, a mounting position that is set on a carrier rail is not the same as a work surface that can be adjusted while you work. If the height will be changed frequently, check operation and adjustment with the planned load in place.

3. Which SIC model suits your task?

The table groups the models by their features. It is no substitute for checking your specific combination of devices. You will find further models in the cart overview and in the product catalogues in German and English.

4. Consider load, footprint and routes together

The load capacity of a work surface does not mean that any total load is permitted. A monitor holder, a shelf and the cart itself each have their own limits. Add up the weights of the devices, including power adapters and additional mounts, and check the combination.

Also measure the narrowest point along the planned route. Take into account doorways, thresholds, turning areas and the space needed by an extended keyboard tray. Components attached to the side also change the amount of space required. When working at a station, the castor locks should remain within reach; for transport, devices and cables must be secured in accordance with the installation instructions.

5. When does a mobile power supply make sense?

Depending on the task, a notebook may be able to manage on its own battery. If the monitor, mini PC or peripherals still need power while you move from one location to another, the power supply should be part of your cart planning. Our range includes carts with a power supply as well as a separate mobile power supply unit.

Two values are important when choosing: watts describe the electrical power your devices need. Watt-hours describe the stored energy. The theoretical runtime is the available energy divided by the power consumption. In practice, factors such as conversion losses, varying loads and the usable battery capacity also come into play. So base your planning on the devices you will actually be powering and the working period you need to cover, not just on a general runtime figure.

6. Add accessories where they support your work

A shelf for a printer or scanner creates a dedicated place for peripherals. A pull-out keyboard tray can provide an input surface that is separate from the upper work surface. If you are retrofitting, the mounting, clearance and load must suit the existing cart. The SIC accessories range shows the components available.

Your selection checklist

• Device list with manufacturer, model, dimensions and weight
• Desired minimum and maximum working heights
• Work surface, pull-out keyboard tray and additional storage space
• Narrowest passage and available floor space
• Power requirements, connection types and desired operating time
• Existing SIC components and their item numbers

If you are planning a workstation for a hospital, a medical practice or another environment with specific guidelines, add your requirements for device mounting and cleaning to the list. Whether a particular configuration is suitable must be checked against the intended devices and conditions of use.

Frequently asked questions about mobile workstations

Is a notebook cart also suitable for a separate monitor?

That depends on the model. In addition to a suitable mount, the weight, mounting point and space requirements must be right. A cart with a laptop work surface is not automatically designed for every monitor solution.

Can I add accessories later?

A variety of attachment parts is available for the SIC systems. What matters is the existing cart, its connection points and the planned load. When you send an enquiry, please quote the item numbers of the cart and of the accessories you want.

What information do you need to make a specific recommendation?

Your device list, the way you want to work and the space available are the best starting point. Send us these details via our contact page. This makes it possible to narrow the selection down to the equipment that actually fits.

Your next step: compare carts or discuss a configuration with S.I.C.

For hospital procurement, our guide to IT ward carts also explains ward workflows, sample set-ups and coordination with IT and users.