Laptop table for tethering

Wasn't sure what forum to post this in. I wanted to pick up a rolling table for using my laptop while tethering in the studio and would like to see what others are using/recommending. Thanks in advance.

This has nothing to do with photography, but I do have the stand below which I use to hold a laptop in front of my bike trainer so I can watch movies during bike workouts. It's a great stand.

http://www.amazon.com …o09_s00_i00?ie=​UTF8&psc=1

Dear StanNJ1,

Gee I agree, it is difficult to know which POTN Forum to put this thread under.

Regardless…

I purchased something like this:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …C1_Support_Stan​d_for.html
about four years ago for my laptop, but found it a bit bulky as it would not fold up compactly and was a bit too heavy.

In studio, I use a small drafting table for one of my DELL U2410 monitors, but for portable/location activity, my research has yielded me narrowing the search for quite a while to the following…
(for my 17” DELL Precision Laptop footprint/dimensions: Width: 15.5” x Depth: 11”)

TETHER TOOLS-
http://www.shop.tether​tools.com …ables-Accessories_c13.htm

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …LK_Aero_for_17_​Apple.html
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …LK_Aero_Master_​Black.html 3.5 lbs
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_Aero_Traveler_​Black.html 2.5 lbs
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_Aero_Traveler_​Black.html (8:45 minute product video)

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …rd_Portable_Com​puter.html (W18xD16; includes a storage case)
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_ProPad_Standar​d_for.html (pad for surface)
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …trap_for_Aero_S​ystem.html (secure strap)

or

TABELZ-
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_Primary_Table_​Black.html 2.9lbs
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …belz_ST60_Side_​Table.html (adjacent mini/side for mouse)
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_Primary_Table_​Black.html (2:10 minute product video)

or
TECH TABLES-
[NEW B&H arrival – (approx Nov’2012)]
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_Air_Flow_Tech_​Table.html (W16xD14; vented slots, includes secure strap & storage case)
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_Air_Flow_Tech_​Table.html (W18.5xD15.75; vented slots, includes secure strap & storage case)
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …_Hard_Drive_and​_Item.html (external hard drive/item storage)

with wheels being added to any support choices used in conjuction with the above manufacturers.

A couple of years ago, I enthusiastically observed, (from a respectful distance, along with few other observers), a luxury car TV Christmas commercial being produced up the street outside a neighbor’s home and I think the director/producer was observing the results on a laptop ontop of a TETHER TOOLS and Matthews(MSE) stand with wheels. The production dept and grip trucks had a multitude of cool stuff, well organized and which appeared was built to ensure years of a lot of long days use.

Good luck. If you find a solution, I hope you will please let us know what you decide on, so we can benefit from your findings/experience.

Mary
P.S.
Just an important friendly reminder… as you already know, whatever configuration you find/decide, don’t forget to use safety ties (to absorb an accidentally pull on the tether) or try/use these helpful gadgets: a cable “JERK STOPPER”: http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …clk=sort&Ntt=je​rk+stopper
which I find it quite helpful product. I have yet to find an ultra convenient right angle/“L” shaped adapter product like I recall veteran photographer David Ziser uses
http://digitalprotalk.​blogspot.ca/ so the tether cable doesn’t protrude unnecessarily out of the side of his camera.
(I don’t know the manufacturer of the product he uses, although to me it looks like a very useful addition).

Mary thank you very much for your thoughtful and detailed reply. I have previously seen many of the items that you provided links for and although they are very nice I also think they're a bit pricey for the few times that I'll actually use it.

I'm considering something very simple like this one from Office Max http://www.officemax.c​om …tands/product-prod3790543

Thank you StanNJ1, nice find at Office Max - I understand your logic & position.

Another option I considered was more of the height-adjustable carts (traditional audio/visual style), which could also have enough surface area to place camera(s) and a lens or two during a photo shoot. But those in a decent quality have a price range of approx. $125 – $350 USD, depending on the features:
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …6&N=4214798995+​4146251090
I 've noticed a number of studios primarily oriented to fashion tend to use something like that.

I find it is helpful to have a surface area for not only computer (& mouse), but also to rest camera & a change of lens, usually 85f1.2L, 70-200f2.8L IS mkII, or a 24-70f2.8L mkII. (e.g. that fancy 1DX of yours may get heavy & need a nice little resting spot).

But like almost everything in photography it is an individual choice & what works for each of us...


Mary