Tecadec review: the workstation in a box

SCORE

PRICE Bare unit, £445 (£534 inc VAT) from tecadec.com

“Work from anywhere” has become a worn-out phrase these past 18 months, but what about when you really do need to work from anywhere? Tecadec has the answer: a workstation in a box.

Like a self-assembly IT transformer, it turns from suitcase on wheels to desk without any need for tools: all you need to do is open the case, remove the screen (in its holder), slot things into place and ensure everything fits firmly together. The process takes less than five minutes.

The Tecadec works best with a 27in screen. Any monitor that has a VESA 100 mount will fit, or you can buy it with a screen pre-fitted. There’s a holder for your laptop to act as a second screen to the left, plus a smaller holder to the right. This could be for papers, a tablet or your phone, leaving the entire 640 x 400mm top of the desk free for your keyboard and mouse. Any wireless set will do the job, or you can order the Tecadec with a basic Logitech set and handy travel bag.

Downsides? While everything slots together neatly, there is inevitable wobble if you type vigorously; that’s the nature of plastic desks, even clever ones. We’d also be tempted to buy a wide gaming mouse mat so that your arms aren’t resting on plastic as you work.

And note that the laptop holder works best if your laptop’s screen goes almost flat, as shown below; otherwise, the screen will point downwards.

Although the price is high, and there are niggles, the Tecadec is an elegant solution to a very modern problem problem.