For classroom laptops, a locker that teachers can love

Teachers, rejoice: there's an easier way to recharge your students' classroom laptops.

Ergotron's new PowerShuttle laptop charging carts are a novel way for instructors or school IT managers to lock down and charge up laptops after the school bell has finished ringing for the day -- no power cords, no hunt for outlets.

The carts address four primary issues: device storage, content updates, battery recharging and mobility. You can pack 20 devices inside, and the cart will optimize charging so you don't overload electrical circuits.

It's certainly built for the classroom. There's steel throughout, a fire-rated ABS exterior, double-hinged locking doors and locking medical-grade, dual-wheel casters give it a look that says, "Darth Vader's personal locker."

Ergotron offers a teacher-targeted charging model or a more robust, IT-focused managed model that supports WAP and 1U Ethernet. The company says the carts can handle most any format of device or AC adapter you can throw at it.

"Load-sensing technology means that instructors can have confidence that the devices will be ready for use when they are needed," said Sheila Veschusio, Ergotron's education industry head. "Laptops can be incorporated into the morning lesson plan, collected and charged over the lunch period and then re-distributed for use in the afternoon."

They'll be available beginning later this month.