DIY Desk Cable Management System (opens in new tab)

(blog.tdm911.com)

30 pointstdm91115y ago10 comments

10 comments

patrickk15y ago

Related links from Lifehacker (these are great)

Cable Management:

http://lifehacker.com/search/cable%20management/

Clutter:

http://lifehacker.com/tag/cluttercleanout/

EDIT:

http://lifehacker.com/search/desk/

kylec15y ago

I used to have this problem as well, and in my experience the secret to managing the mess of cables is to remove everything that doesn't have to be there. In this case, he could move the modem and router to another room (or different area in the same room). Though it would decrease the throughput rate, he could also attach the USB hard drive to the Airport and access it over the network. Also, since the only USB devices I see are the keyboard and mouse, he could get rid of the hub as well, and with all that stuff gone he could easily get away with a single power strip instead of two.

Now what used to be a huge rats nest of cables has been pared down to the MagSafe, the speaker power unit, and a single power strip, which is much tidier. My personal setup is very similar to his, except that I use an external screen with my MacBook instead of the laptop screen, and I connect it all together with the new Henge Dock that just came out.

tdm911OP15y ago

you're correct in some ways, but it's not that easy. plugged into the usb hub are:

keyboard (could be replaced with wireless) external hard drive - time machine. i prefer it this way than over wireless iphone dock (hidden underneath macbook) speakers - they are usb based

the second power board is simply there because i may need it in the future.

kylec15y ago

OK, it sounds like you have more USB devices than I could see in your picture, so the hub is necessary. Still, I think you should at least consider moving your modem and router, especially since it doesn't look like you connect your MacBook via ethernet.

1 more reply

tdm911OP15y ago

i'm interested, has anyone else got a different take on cable management? surely other HN readers have their own solutions?

a2tech15y ago

I'm a birds nest man myself. My needs are constantly changing so I just leave them in a giant tangle on my desk. It may not be aesthetically pleasing but its extraordinarily functional-I can grab any cable at any time, and making room for another project is as simple as shoving the pile of cords into a denser pile.

bonsaitree15y ago

Here, here.

Cable management is essential for a data center where multiple sets of maintenance hands, multiple owners, SLAs, fire codes, and cooling/venting needs demand organized layouts.

Cable management is also important for tight spaces (inside walls) and extremely low-duty-cycle, but mission-critical wiring such as a home's breaker-box.

Is it necessary for the typical modern desktop with a few AC Power, networking, and USB cords?

Um, NO.

1 more reply

Luc15y ago

Ikea cable trays under the desk: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50035115

And on the desk I use some plastic tubes that hold several cables together, also from Ikea.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

10 comments

patrickk15y ago

Related links from Lifehacker (these are great)

Cable Management:

http://lifehacker.com/search/cable%20management/

Clutter:

http://lifehacker.com/tag/cluttercleanout/

EDIT:

http://lifehacker.com/search/desk/

kylec15y ago

tdm911OP15y ago

you're correct in some ways, but it's not that easy. plugged into the usb hub are:

keyboard (could be replaced with wireless) external hard drive - time machine. i prefer it this way than over wireless iphone dock (hidden underneath macbook) speakers - they are usb based

the second power board is simply there because i may need it in the future.

kylec15y ago

1 more reply

tdm911OP15y ago

i'm interested, has anyone else got a different take on cable management? surely other HN readers have their own solutions?

a2tech15y ago

bonsaitree15y ago

Here, here.

Cable management is essential for a data center where multiple sets of maintenance hands, multiple owners, SLAs, fire codes, and cooling/venting needs demand organized layouts.

Cable management is also important for tight spaces (inside walls) and extremely low-duty-cycle, but mission-critical wiring such as a home's breaker-box.

Is it necessary for the typical modern desktop with a few AC Power, networking, and USB cords?

Um, NO.

1 more reply

Luc15y ago

Ikea cable trays under the desk: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50035115

And on the desk I use some plastic tubes that hold several cables together, also from Ikea.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse