For those wanting the ultimate Webex user experience from home, Cisco launched the Webex Desk Pro last year. A 27-inch 4k video device. This premium device is quite costly, so we ask ourselves the question: Is it worth it?

The Desk Pro has it all: a 4k Camera with facial recognition that automatically adjusts the view, so you are always in frame. A 27-inch touchscreen that supports touch redirect, so you can control your laptop from the device and of course a suite of microphones and speakers for the complete experience. All you need to do is connect a single USB-C cable to your laptop and you will charge, screenshare and have the touch redirect.

This device could also be found in a huddle space to quickly collaborate locally or digitally with the embedded whiteboard functionality. In a modern post-pandemic workplace, you might not want to touch anything in a conference room to start a meeting. The Desk Pro even has you covered there. With the voice activation found in the modern Cisco devices, all it takes is: ´Ok Webex, Start my meeting. ´ The device knows who is in the room you are through the active directory synchronization and can check your agenda for a webex meeting.

As a personal device the Desk Pro can be quite easy to use, especially when you are in and out of meetings all day. The one button to push functionality makes sure you never have to open your agenda again to find a meeting link. A few minutes before your meeting starts a green button appears on screen. One push and you are in. When using it as personal device the Desk Pro also gives you the option of a virtual background, so the people you are calling with cannot see what is happening behind you. Joining a meeting through a Desk Pro is not limited to Webex by the way, Microsoft Teams meetings work as well.

It does this through a feature called WebRTC. WebRTC makes the device act as a giant internet browser, and seamlessly goes to a Microsoft Teams meeting as if it were an attendee using a browser. There are some limitations with this, for instance multiple screens are not supported as well as you will find the quality of your call is lower than that you would expect of Webex. WebRTC is supported on the newer Cisco devices when using a cloud license, WebRTC is included in the device license. If you want the full experience and use Microsoft on your Desk Pro, you would need the CVI license which is not free.

The Webex Desk Pro is a fantastic device to use and meet with, but if you don´t have virtual meetings every day, you never use whiteboards or touch redirect. This device might not be for you. If you are one of those people that has meetings all day every day through webex, the Desk Pro will give you everything you need.

Did you know the Webex Desk Pro´s little brother the Webex Desk is coming out this year as well? Once we get more information on this device we will let you know. Already have your home office setup and just need a camera, be sure to check out the Webex Desk Camera.