Range-L Personal Modular Desktop

The Range-L PMD, or Personal Modular Desktop, is a line of computer hardware produced by the Range-L Corporation's Information Technology subsidiary that is capable of the dynamic addition and removal of "modules" that expand the computer's local capabilities. Most of the time they serve as thin client devices, used in office settings connected to offsite servers that do most of the work, while the work being done is streamed to a client device and displayed locally.

## Software

Range-L Desktop computers run BluOS Desktop, a proprietary operating system that runs officially only on Range-L devices. Files local to the device can be browsed and managed via the file manager, text documents are managed using the built-in text editor, and the vast majority of applications for the device are handled through the Atlas browser, named for and integrating information management and organization code from the ATLAS AI used on most Orion vessels. Most local applications and games are distributed via the Blu Market, though the capability to sideload applications downloaded from the internet or extranet can be enabled via the security section of the system preferences.

The desktop variant is capable of using cameras on supported displays, whether that is a dedicated desktop display or a tablet or phone while on the go, and the dialer may be used to initiate voice and video calls to users of other Range-L computers, or anyone with a cellular device capable of sending and receiving calls.

Applications intended to run on BluOS Mobile devices may be run in mobile windows, but BluOS Mobile cannot run BluOS Desktop applications, as they lack the local resources to do so.

## Casual Ownership

Each Range-L module contains a battery that will connect with each other battery in a stack upon being docked to another module. This is used to power the system when away from a dock. Compact keyboards and mice are sold alongside the base model, as is a wireless charging pad that, while not causing the system to run at full power as it does when docked, will prevent the system from shutting down due to power loss and charge the system when not in use.

The recommended display for on-the-go use is a Range-L Common or Premium series tablet computer, especially a 32cm or 37cm model, while for home use, a 50 or 60 centimeter display is recommended. It is a more capable local processing machine, and can be expanded for more intensive computation streaming as well.

   The stack pictured above is used by a freelance virtual experience developer, requiring a large amount of storage and memory to save and load assets, the Extreme Graphics Processor module to render the hyper realistic visuals, and a CPU Mirror to double the CPU performance of the system for asset creation. The tower form factor assists in cooling, as each module has its own fan in the base that draws air in from the bottom and blows it out of the rear vents of each module. Non-core modules feature openings on the top to allow airflow to continue up the tower until it reaches the core module, where the last of the fans vent the majority of the heat. A dedicated airflow module would increase the cooling power of the system immensely, but this system is not configured with one.

A system of that price point is at the tipping point between ease of use and cost-effectiveness. The power of the system could be matched for roughly two-thirds that price if a user would only construct it themselves, for instance using a separate modular system such as those made by Syntek and other manufacturers using their own Linux-based operating system.