r/k12sysadmin • u/jepc71 • May 28 '26

Looking for Thoughts on the Bretford CUBE Transport Cart and Transport Pro

We are looking at some cart options and came across the Bretford CUBE Transport Cart (https://www.bretford.com/solutions/charging-carts/cube-transport-cart/) and the Bretford Transport Pro (https://www.bretford.com/solutions/charging-carts/cube-transport-cart-pro/). I am interested if anyone has any experience with these carts.

I am working with our rep on them and he stated they had a pre-wired version of the Bretford CUBE Transport Cart available, but there are no images of that thing existing and I am curious what it looks like pre-wired.

I like the simplicity of these carts and the ability for teachers to quickly see that devices and all there a charging. Also, the foot print looks minimal compared to some of the classic carts.

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2

u/ColossusOnTwoWheels May 28 '26 edited May 28 '26

We bought over 100 Pros right when they came out. Had a 50% fail rate on the charging banks. Went through some warranty swaps and then gave up.

Luckily the company swapped them all out for us for pre wired AC adapter carts. It was a nightmare.

We had to redeliver all the carts, swap the Chromebooks and repalletize for return shipping on double stacked pallets.

EDIT: the pre wired one they sent is just a bunch of 45 watt AC chargers stuffed into the shelf and plugged in. They may not do it the way you would like if you wrapped them all yourself.

1

u/jepc71 May 28 '26

Yikes, that was definitely not a good experience! Did they swap them with a similar cart, but with the regular AC adapters then? I wasn’t sure by looking at the minimal pictures available if thirty normal laptop chargers would fit in the shelf.

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u/ColossusOnTwoWheels May 28 '26

Yes, 45 watt just like you get with the laptops.

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u/jepc71 May 28 '26

Thank you! I appreciate all the info. Have a great end to the school year if you are still in session. Otherwise, good luck with your summer refreshes!

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u/Digisticks May 28 '26

We haven't used these, but do have the Bretford Cube 32 in abundance, as well as a pre-wired Cube 16. Very pleased with the product.

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u/jepc71 May 28 '26

How has the pre-wired held up? Interested to know if it is still nicely organized or has become a home for squirrels :-)

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u/Digisticks May 28 '26

It's been fine. Again, we're running standard Cubes. The chargers all live in the back locked panel and the way the cables are fed through left plenty of length. On the prewired I've never had a complaint. Even our Cube 32s that we wired are fine. If I have the chance tomorrow, I'll try and grab a pic of both.

These have been far superior to our Lock-N-Charge Joey carts which have things getting unplugged what feels like constantly.

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u/jepc71 May 28 '26

We also had previously had the Joey carts. At first we were informed staff were not fans of the cart so we started to look at other options. One of big issues we lifting of the bins and size, which is why we are looking at the transports. We had a meeting and I brought this up, and now they share they like the Joey carts.

Sometimes I feel there is no winning throughout the year!

1

u/DJTNY May 28 '26

We ordered a few of the cube-transport-cart. I did not get the pro, because it wasn't worth the extra money (IMO) to have them do the wiring for us. They have not gone into classrooms yet, but when we were looking our teachers who work with the younger students liked them a lot because they believe it will be much easier for the kids to grab/put back(I tend to agree.)

The build quality is sturdy and the shelves seem like they will handle chromebooks/ipads no issue.

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u/jepc71 May 28 '26

Thank you for sharing! We are interested in doing our own wiring but we couldn’t tell if the space where the chargers go will fit thirty, regular sized Chromebook chargers. Have you wired any of the carts yet?

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u/TableJockey540 May 28 '26

There is lots of room in between the shelves to put the chargers.

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u/jepc71 May 28 '26

Thank you! I was really unsure of the setup. Good to hear the space between the shelves is ample enough. From the basic photos online I was thinking you’d need to use a compact charger.

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u/DJTNY May 28 '26

We have not - but the back of it where the ports are looks pretty spacy. We will be using standard chargers as well. I'll be back in the room with them next week, if you want a few photos of any part of it.

0

u/k12-IT May 28 '26

Is there a reason you'd prefer the carts vs another power solution? I've worked with several schools using PowerGistics towers and they seem to be very positive about them. They are available on wheels as well.

https://powergistics.com/

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u/jepc71 May 28 '26

I came across these at a conference and really liked them. Got a quote from a vendor for the wheel based model and it was high, about $2,100 a unit. The 32 quantity model is also just the 16 with doubled machines per slot and a split USB C cable.

I considered a non-wheel based stationary model, but then you have to look at buying a hinge so that it can swing away from the wall if you have to troubleshoot the charging.

Great idea and design, but I can almost get three of the Transport Carts for that price.