Information, Resources and Updates for KidCheck Users
Inexpensive Mobile Station for around $600
We've been using KidCheck very successfully since February, and we love it. To increase our capacity for check-in, spread waiting parents further apart, and add flexibility for special events, we've put together a couple of inexpensive mobile units. Of course, you might also find this information helpful even if you're setting up a station that you don't plan to roll around.When looking for mobile carts, it was difficult to find anything inexpensive. The mobile carts the guys at KidCheck use are awesome and super stable, but they are way out of our price range. Even looking on standard office supply websites didn't quite meet the budget we had in mind.
Add to that the cost of computer, scanner, printer, etc., and each check-in station we add really adds up. So here's how we put together a mobile check-in station for around $600.
First, we put together the computer system. We ordered the absolute cheapest computer Walmart.com had online without a monitor. It was an Acer Aspire Revo 1600 Mini Desktop for $198.00. This system is not currently available at Walmart.com, but their next choice, the ASUS Eee Box X202-X31P Mini Desktop PC for $242.54 is probably a better solution anyway. The Revo didn't come with a wireless card, so we had to add a wireless USB stick for about $30. The ASUS does have wireless built in. This system comes with a keyboard and mouse but no monitor.Next, we ordered monitors, scanners, and printers from online auction/overstock sites. Lately, I have been able to get 19" and 20" LCD monitors for less than $100. The last two monitors I bought were 20" Acer monitors at $89.73 including tax and shipping. I've been able to buy Symbol LS2208 USB Barcode Scanner, brand new in the box with a stand, for about $80, including shipping. We've also purchased the Dymo Lablewriter 450 and 450 Turbo for $75-$90.
Finally, we get to cart. Walmart.com has a great little mobile laptop cart with an adjustable height top that is perfect for this mini-pc computer system. The Rolling Laptop Cart With Storage, Graphite Black, is only $68.93 plus tax. We have everything from Walmart delivered site-to-store, so shipping is always free.
The cart has a small storage area in the bottom of it for things like DVDs & books, but we used that space for the PC and all the extra cables. We also mounted the adjustable top backwards so that all of those components would be hidden. Finally, I drilled a hole in the top to mount the scanner stand directly to the cart.
Add to that a $6 surge protector and about $5 of cable bundling, and you've got yourself a good looking, clean mobile check-in cart. We have mostly tile floors, so this cart rolls really easily for us. It also rolls well on our commercial carpet since it's very short. The monitor, keyboard, and mouse just sit on the top and are not attached in any way, so I'm very careful to hold the monitor whenever we cross over a door threshold. I'm sure I could drill through the monitor base with a screw or add velcro for added security.
Anyway, our total cost for each of the two mobile units we've assembled has been about $585.
Comment
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Comment by chad houck on September 22, 2010 at 8:52am -
Hello all. We have some excess equipment that may be of assistance to some of you. Our loss, your gain. I have a Dymo 450 with 2 rolls of labels and a LS2208 scanner (USB) with stand, all in great condition. I'd love to sell all of it for $200. Would get you one step closer to your next station.
Call chad at 208*585*7370 or email me at chad (at) worldwins (dot) org
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Comment by Bethany Boring on September 17, 2010 at 6:47am
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UPDATE - We went on ebay and bought 2 mini pcs for $100 (total) then we had a parent call us and mention that they had an EEbox mini pc, (complete with monitor, keyboard and internal wifi) for FREE). So now we have a laptop portable station by using an old A/V cart just lying around here at the church and this mini pc station using the cart from Walmart (it is cheaper and fits into our budget). Hopefully in January we can launch the other 2 mini pc stations under the new budget...now we are simply waiting to invest in 2 monitors, 2 printers and 2 more carts...hoping to spend $500 TOTAL on this...would be great if less! If anyone finds any great deals, let me know! I'll post pics of our new stations once we get everything up and running!
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Comment by Dave Foshee on September 16, 2010 at 5:27pm -
You can get a great standup station at CSN. I have three and want five (total) of them. They are well built and only $168.00!
Here is the link: http://www.csnofficefurniture.com/asp/show_detail.asp?sku=SF1759
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Comment by Bethany Boring on September 9, 2010 at 1:07pm
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I seriously think you made my week! I have been literally setting-up our check-in stations by hand, cord by cord for the past few months and I HATE IT! Last Sunday right before the mad rush, we had a laptop monitor die...Monday our Wifi died and Wednesday our back-up laptop quit working altogether. First, we messed-up (I think) by buying used computers...but SECOND, I think it does more damage than good constantly setting-up and tearing down the system for our programs (twice a week for us). I'm not even sure what we are going to do for Sunday right now...but this at least gives me a figure to shoot for. We would like to have 4 complete check-in stations by January...(hard swallow)...but this cart in itself has saved us $100 already!!!
If you see any deals on the PCs you mentioned as well as monitors, please give me a shout. I am in the process of creating an account just for security itself and saving.
...And here we go!
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Comment by James Martin on June 23, 2010 at 9:42am -
Love it! great idea!
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Comment by Alex Smith on June 15, 2010 at 3:12pm -
This is awesome! Thanks Chris.
© 2012 Created by Alex Smith.
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