The most beautiful and organized collection layout you've seen?

[1200XL M.U.L.E.]

I had to take down my "laboratory" of machines to make room for some guests. While it was a little sad to disconnect everything, I am using this opportunity to dream up of a new way to set up my machines. My setup was getting a little clumsy. It consisted of a low-end drafting table with a surface of 30"x42". I had a large 42" plasma TV with S-Video, composite, and HDMI inputs. My Atari 8-bit and ST machines were connected to this display, sometimes directly to the TV and sometimes via converters. Around this desk were small "stations" that looked like printer carts.



Each cart supported individual units like my IBM 5150 with a display on top, my Panasonic KX-P1180 printer with paper underneath, etc. The carts were low enough that I could slide them under the drafting table. This worked pretty well except for a few usability issues. The carts aren't sturdy and shook with heavy machines, like my 5150. My space was limited and could not use more than one cart at a time. And, there's no room for a keyboard when using a cart. I would place the keyboard on my lap when using the station and on top of a monitor when I wasn't.

I'm looking for ideas on how to configure my machines so they are accessible, usable, and serviceable. Maybe the word I am looking for is functional. One idea floating in my head is to start with a workbench from Home Depot.



I saw this when buying baseboard trim for my bathroom and I was really impressed with how sturdy it is. Expensive - but wow, it was sturdy!

Would anyone from the forum here be willing to share their setup? What do they like and not about it?

Thanks!

 

[creepingnet]

I've had so many setups....not sure how neat, but some where cool....

When I was 18 (around 2003 or so), I had what I called the "x86 Marshall Stack" - a stack of SIX computers from each generation of IBM Compatible, all plugged into a six port Belkin AT/PS2/Serial combo KVM, sharing one 17" CRT, a Northgate OmniKey 102, and a PC-TRAC trackball. THe Stack was...

Port 1 - Micro Config Corp 0A XT Clone (FLIP Top Case!!)
Port 2 - Compaq Deskpro 286 2551
Port 3 - Compaq Deskpro 386 2571
Port 4 - 486 DX4-100 Desktop Machine
Port 5 - Pentium 200 MMX Desktop Machine
Port 6 - Pentium III in a Deskpro Style AT chassis

The computers all sat on a Keter Cabinet with the KVM inside with my software (used hotkeys to change PCs). The XT had to have a separate Model F Keyboard (which sat in the hutch under my printer). Later on I had a Samsung LCD TV/Monitor combo (SyncMaster 710MP) - cost me a whopping $349 but it was a nice way to having a TV and a monitor at the same time.

My current day setup is pretty nice too....

I usually have 2 computers on my desk at any given time, one modern one, one vintage one, and I swap them out periodically. Currently the 486 DX4 and iMac are up there. Sometime soon I'll be swapping for a Linux box and probably my Compaq Deskpro 386s/20. I swap them out several times a year so I Can focus on that one machine for awhile.

My vintage Laptops all live on a wire shelf next to the door of my "lab" and it looks like a bloody museum display. Right now I have my DFI MediaBook 486, NanTan Notebook 3500C, NEC Versa 40EC, NEC Versa V/50, and NEC Versa P/75 on there since hte P/75 is broken (screen) and the M/75 is the one always getting carried around (good battery, touch screen, plus triple boot setup). ALL of these have come out and played a bit in the last week.