New Netbook Carts, Affordable Presentation Carts and Other Technology Support Products Help Prepare the Students of Today For Tomorrow’s World

Bretford Manufacturing, Inc.,manufacturer of dependable furniture products that improve how people work and learn, will debut new technology furniture products that support the modern learning environment during FETC 2011 (Booths #1245 and #1551) February 1-3 in Orlando, Florida and TCEA 2011 (Booth #2365) February 9-11 in Austin, Texas.

“From larger class sizes to fewer resources, today’s educators are being challenged to do more with less,” said Mikel Briggs, president for Bretford Manufacturing, Inc. “They are already using some technology in the classroom to help them more effectively reach their students but they don’t have time to worry about how to store, charge, set-up, move and care for the equipment.” Briggs continued, “For the last half-century, Bretford has produced thousands of products to support technology in learning — from the film strip projectors of the 60s to the mobile devices of today. We are at FETC and TCEA to show how furniture products can allow teachers to easily and affordably integrate technology into a 21st century lesson so they can focus on preparing the students of today for tomorrow’s world.”

The Bretford booths will depict a classroom-style set-up and debut the NETBOOK36-CT 36-unit netbook cart. The new cart features the same small 32" x 26" footprint as the company’s NETBOOK42-CT 42-unit flagship model but with wider 2.25" computer slots to accommodate both the netbooks and the extended battery packs frequently used to help lengthen their useable life in the classroom.

Additionally, the company will show the first production model of an affordable new multimedia presentation cart and cabinet. Starting at under $500, the CA2642DNSE offers two pull-out shelves, one for a projector and one for a laptop, with room on top for a document camera. This provides more workspace and allows educators to keep the equipment in one place while easily mobilizing it as needed. It adjusts to three different heights simply by resetting four screws and its cabinet base offers lockable storage for equipment safety.

Other Bretford technology support products on display during the shows include the popular Presenter’s Assistant for Learning or PAL cart with an antimicrobial finish, which helps inhibit the growth of bacteria odor, mold, mildew and fungus on the product’s surface. This cart provides a single location to house all equipment in a complete multimedia station that is small enough to fit comfortably between a row of students. Bretford will also show its 20-unit Intelligent Laptop Computer cart, designed to give budget relief to educators looking to extend the lives of their classroom laptops while keeping the accessories that go with them organized. This is the first cart line in the world to incorporate a “brain” that decreases heat and electrical stresses while proportionally distributing power to the laptops.

Booth visitors can also get a closer look at Bretford’s Connections SmartDeck work center. When closed, it provides a flat work surface and when opened, it functions as a traditional computer lab, holding a computer monitor or laptop. It will be shown with the Fluid Power System, a six-outlet electrical system that can be powered from a single outlet without the expense of hardwiring or the clutter of individual power strips.

The Quattro Voltea Flip Top Computer Tables will also be on display. Ideal for use with flat screen monitors, they offer a three-person work surface that is height adjustable for children or adults, a rear door for top down management of power and data cables, and a flip-up door for easy access to cord management.

Live video and news updates directly from the company’s FETC and TCEA booths will be available on Twitter at www.twitter.com/bretfordmanf. This information can also be viewed from the Bretford website at www.bretford.com.  

About Bretford Manufacturing, Inc.

Bretford designs and manufactures dependable furniture products built to improve how people work and learn. Founded in 1948 and headquartered in Franklin Park, Illinois, we're dedicated to the design and manufacture of sustainable furniture solutions that will last for decades. With nearly 350 employees and 450,000 square feet of production space, the company offers smart furniture solutions that support evolving technology.

Bretford's superior workmanship and environmentally compliant manufacturing and operation practices ensure dependable products, many of which are GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified®. Bretford products are backed by a 12-year standard warranty and the industry's best 20-year standard warranty on library furniture.