A. Yes, bases can be purchased separately. The bases are available to purchase by telephone or through our website. If you need any help choosing a base, please feel free to call us toll-free (1-866-314-5427) and we will get you fixed up.

It is important to note that the Custom Bases are available for a limited selection of popular vehicles. For all other vehicles, a Universal Base can be purchased. Either way, you will not need to buy another complete desk. Your Jotto Desk will provide you service for years to come!

Q. What is the difference between a Universal Desk and a Custom Desk?

A. The only difference is how they get mounted into the vehicle.

Universal Desks are mounted using self-tapping sheet metal screws (#10, 1¼” size). The self-tapping screws require no pre-drilling, leaving minimal impact on the appearance of your installation location. In fact, most users of Universal Desks are able to brush the carpet where the self-tapping screws were while installed and are able to completely hide the holes. This is the same sort of installation you would do if you were to have a CB radio or in-car heater installed.

Universal Desks are unique in that they can be installed in any vehicle.

A Custom Desk is mounted to the existing passenger seat bolts, or other pre-existing vehicle mounting points, and requires no drilling.

Q. Can I still carry a passenger in the front seat with the Jotto Desk installed, or do I have give up the passenger seat to accommodate the desk?

A. The Jotto Desk is designed with passenger comfort in mind. We have dubbed the term “passenger friendly” to describe the ability to carry a front seat passenger with the desk installed. Generally, the vertical assembly of the Jotto Desk will come up from the floor and be located to the left-front corner of the passenger chair. This allows a majority of the seat to be utilized for passengers.

Q. Can the desk be removed easily so if I want to carry a passenger, it is out of the way?

A. Yes, The desktop and the vertical assembly can be easily removed for storage. A simple handle that can be removed by hand is all that holds the upper part of your Jotto Desk to the base.

However, because of the “passenger friendly” nature of the Jotto Desk, most will find removing the desk to be unnecessary. But the option is there if you desire.

Q. My laptop has a 17” screen and the Jotto Desk desktop is only 10”x12”, is there a bigger table available to fit my size of computer?

A. This question comes up a lot and the simple answer is that the table size really is not that important. What is important is the length of cable that is used to secure your laptop to the table. In reality, the table is being used as a place to mount the ACD hardware, and foam pads.

Q. How do I determine which length of ACD Cables I will require?

A. Cable length requirement is determined by measuring the width of your laptop computer from edge to edge straight across your keyboard.

• If the width of your laptop measures less than 12 ½” wide then you will need 20” ACD cables.
• If the width of your laptop measures 12½” or up to 15½” wide, the standard ACD cable length of 22” is required.
• If the width of your laptop measures 15½” wide or more, then a 26¾” ACD Cable is required.

Q. How do I ask for a different cable length if I place my order online?

A. When filling in your billing and shipping information in our shopping cart you will come across a text box called “Comments or Special Instructions”. You can either tell us what width your laptop is and we will send you the appropriate cable length, or you can request a specific cable length (20”, or 26¾”).

If you make no special request for a different cable, your Jotto Desk will be shipped to you with the standard 22” cables.

If you are unsure please call us toll free @ 1-866-314-5427.

Q. Will my tablet PC work on with the Jotto Desk?

A. Absolutely! In fact, the Jotto Desk is the best solution on the market for tablet PC’s, due to the desktops ability to be vertically positioned.

Q. Isn’t it illegal to use your laptop while driving?

A. No, it is not illegal, however, using a computer while driving is not a good idea. Many people utilize common GPS/mapping software programs for their travels which will require almost no input from the computer user. We recommend setting up and getting your GPS program running prior to getting on the road. Do not attempt to use your computer in any way that will interfere with your ability to concentrate on the task of driving safely.

Use caution and common sense.

Q. I want to lock my computer to the desk so I can leave my computer in my vehicle unattended. Does the Jotto Desk desktop have a locking feature available?

A. One of the most desired features of a mobile laptop desk is its ability to be removed from the vehicle quickly and easily, which in turn actually makes locking your computer to the desktop about as effective as locking the doors on your convertible car, while the top is off. Even thought your laptop would be locked onto the desktop, it would in no way stop someone from removing the desk, with your laptop still attached and taking both desk and computer.

The only way to guarantee the safety of your laptop is to not leave it unattended in the vehicle.

For those that insist on leaving the laptop unattended and still mounted to the Jotto Desk, we suggest the use of a “Kensington Lock”. The Kensington Lock is a cable that can be wrapped around your steering wheel and then inserted into the “Kensington Lock port” found on almost all laptop computers. The advantage to this type of lock is its visibility. A would be thief would see the cable wrapped around the steering wheel and would likely pass it by.

Again, the only surefire way to make sure your laptop is safe is to not leave your laptop unattended!

Q. Can a passenger also use the computer?

A. Absolutely! The Jotto Desk Articulated Swing Arm allows the computer desktop to be positioned for either driver or passenger use.

However, for safety purposes, it is critical that you never let the desktop get between a person and an airbag. In the case of an accident, the computer sitting between the airbag and passenger could prove to be cause of serious injury or death.

It is strongly recommended that the computer be positioned between both driver and passenger airbags while traveling with a passenger in the front seat.

Q. Aren’t the cables going to get in the way of my keys making it hard to type?

A. Not at all. The cables are attached to draw latches which can be positioned to where the top cable will be above your number keys, and the bottom cable is positioned below your space bar and above your mouse glide pad.

Positioning the cables in this manner will leave all of your keys and mouse glide pad unobstructed. Also, this will ensure your ports and drives are not blocked, and if so you are able to easily move the cable out of the way.

Q. Does the Jotto Desk have a shock or spring to lessen the vibration caused by going over potholes or rough roads?

A. Yes, no, well sort of.

Jotto Desk’s ACD System utilizes foam pads to provide some added vibration dampening. These foam pads are effective at dampening many of the “rumbles” that may come up through the stand from travel on gravel roads or tar strips across the roadway. The foam pads actually lift the entire laptop off of the plastic tabletop and provide a level of cushioning between your computer and the stand. This system is the most effective of any product on the market in respect to this issue.

For those that are in very rough road/off-road conditions, you would be well served to consider one of the many “rugged” laptop computers on the market. i.e. Dell Latitude’s, IBM laptops with “Active Protection System™”, Panasonic Toughbook computers, and other various brands.

Q. I want to be able to close my screen while I am driving. Can I close the screen across the ACD cables?

A. Yes. The ACD cables are a very thin but extremely strong aircraft cable (Braided metal strands) that are coated in a tough nylon. These cables are small and thin enough that you will be able to close your laptop screen, and snap it shut for those times when your computer is not in use while traveling.

Q. I drive on really rough roads. Will the Jotto Desk stand up to the abuse?

A. This desk was designed with these kinds of harsh conditions in mind. It certainly will stand up to such use.

The Jotto Desk base is made of heavy gauge steel which has been engineered to withstand rough terrain. The vertical assembly is also made of solid steel. The Articulated Swing Arm is made of 1” billet aluminum, and the Desktop is made by injection molded ABS Plastic. All components are powder coated and painted to resist corrosion.

Jotto Desk is not a cheaply made product in any way and quality is not an afterthought. Many people comment to us that they are very surprised by the heavy duty construction and are quite pleased with their purchase. Don’t be fooled by cheap imitators! You will get what you pay for!