Q. What is Freemote?
A. Freemote, the first ever Remote Control for the PC, is an integrated and packaged duplicate set of controls for an industry-standard computer. It is a sleekly designed slim box with an on/off switch, operating lights, USB ports, mic & headphone jacks and an optical drive across one edge. Once Freemote has been connected to the PC, its controls activate the computer in the same way as the controls on the computer case do.
Q. Where is the PC?
A. The PC is hidden inside the dead space of the desk, out of sight. The exact location of the PC varies according to the furniture design but it is usually placed horizontally behind the drawers or vertically in a slim cupboard at the back of the desk.
Q. What PC can be used?
A. Any modern PC can be used with the Freemote technology. All that is needed on the PC is a spare expansion slot to house the Powerdesk Connector and a USB port. A Powerdesk PCI card attaches to the Powerdesk Connector inside the PC – working in the same way as a Belkin wireless network card. The Freemote is then connected to the PC by 2 cables – a USB cable and our Powerdesk port, which is attached to a free expansion plate on the back of the PC.
Q. Can I use my own PC?
A. Yes, as long as it’s less than 3 years old, and fits in the allocated space within the desk.
Q. How does it work?
A. Freemote allows the PC and all the cables to be hidden away out of sight while maintaining full PC functionality. The PC is hidden within the void space of the desk, and then is connected by 2 cables to the Freemote at the user's fingertips. Freemote duplicates all the functions of the PC – on/off switch, operating lights, USB ports, headset & mic ports and optical drive.
Q. What does the sound system do?
A. The sound system allows provision of a full multimedia system without having to add cables and boxes in the shape of speakers and a sub-woofer.
Q. Can my Powerdesk be upgraded?
A. Yes, the Powerdesk is fully upgradeable. It is a quick and easy process to upgrade, repair or modify the PC.
Q. What can I plug into Freemote?
A. You can plug all the peripherals into Freemote in the same way you would your PC, as long as they would normally plug into a USB port, headphone or mic port or the CD/DVD drive. Printers and other large peripherals can either be plugged into the Freemote or, if preferred, can be plugged into the USB port on the PC.
Q. Why is this better than having the PC locked in a cabinet / cupboard
A. Accessibility of controls. Everyone realises the computer and all its wires are unattractive, and there are a lot of quasi-solutions out there. Locking the PC in a cupboard hides it away in a reasonably small space where it can't be seen, damaged or stolen – but how can you turn it on, or plug in a USB stick or play an optical disk? With no duplicated controls, the PC would need to be continuously accessed. This results in an un-ergonomic solution, involving a lot of bending, reaching and irritating fiddling about. With the Freemote, the controls are at the user's fingertips.
Q. Why is this better than having the PC on a sliding bracket under the desk?
A. The wires from the PC still hang out the back and cause problems as the PC needs to be constantly pulled back and forth. Leg space is taken up by the PC and there is a risk of knocking yourself against it, causing injury. The PC is still invading your space, and it can still be damaged and stolen.
Q. Why is this better than having an integrated IT desk?
A. Integrated IT desks use proprietary PCs, or components broken apart and spread throughout the desk. This means the computers have to be bought solely through that agent, along with the desk and are difficult to repair, modify and upgrade. Freemote works with industry-standard PCs in their original casing. This means either the desk or the PC can be upgraded, changed or disposed off without affecting the other.