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Identifying a VNC Viewer Plus compatible computer

Introduction Vanilla VNC Viewer requires a remote computer to be powered on and running VNC Server in order to make a connection. With...

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Introduction

Vanilla VNC Viewer requires a remote computer to be powered on and running VNC Server in order to make a connection. With VNC Viewer Plus, you can connect to a computer that’s powered off, even if it has no functioning operating system.

You must first purchase a VNC Viewer Plus license (available here: https://www.realvnc.com/purchase/viewerplus/), and then build or purchase your computer with the following hardware:
Your computer’s processor…
o …will need to be a 2nd generation or later vPro enabled Intel Core i5 or Intel Core i7.
o …will need embedded Intel integrated graphics. Discrete graphics cards are not supported.
o …will need to have the KVM remote control feature enabled. See the important note at the end of this introduction.
Your computer’s chipset…
o …will need to support vPro technology.
o …will need to support Intel ME (AMT) firmware version 6.0 or later.
vPro hardware is required as it has a VNC-compatible server embedded directly onto its chip, enabling permanent remote access and control through VNC Viewer Plus.
Important note: your computer’s OEM (HP, Acer, etc.) must have enabled the KVM (keyboard/video/mouse) remote control feature. Some manufacturers disable this, and it is impossible to know for certain which have been disabled by just using the Internet. Instead, you must contact them and request this information directly. See step 6 for more information.

Steps (6 total)

1

Purchasing a VNC Viewer Plus compatible computer off-the-shelf (part 1)

You can access Intel’s list of computers pre-built with vPro technology by clicking the link below.
However, not all of these computers support VNC Viewer Plus. To see if a computer's hardware is compatible, select it from the list to visit its OEM’s online store. From here, you will be able to locate and expand its full specifications. Make a note of its processor and chipset.
Note that this tutorial will use the Asus BP1AE as an example (this does not guarantee its compatibility; Asus did not get back us to when we contacted them for confirmation).
2

Purchasing a VNC Viewer Plus compatible computer off-the-shelf (part 2)

If your processor is a 2nd generation or later vPro enabled Intel Core i5 or Intel Core i7 with integrated graphics, it should support VNC Viewer Plus (assuming the OEM confirms KVM is enabled; see step 6).
Here, the Asus BP1AE meets these requirements. This is because it comes with a 4th Generation Intel® Core™ i5/i7 Processor, as well as integrated Intel graphics (Intel® HD Graphics 4600).
As well as its processor, your computer's chipset must also be VNC Viewer Plus compatible. To confirm this, see step 3.
3

Purchasing a VNC Viewer Plus compatible computer off-the-shelf (part 3)

Visit ark.intel.com and paste the chipset model into the search bar to see its specifications.
On the navigation panel on the left, click Advanced Technologies. If Intel vPro is included, and the Intel ME Firmware is version 6.0 or later, the chipset is VNC Viewer Plus compatible.
Here, the Intel Q87 Chipset used by the Asus BP1AE meets these requirements. This is because it includes ME Firmware Version 9.0 and vPro technology.
Note that you may also need to search ark.intel.com for your computer's processor, as not all OEMs include the relevant details in their product specifications.
Important: please read step 6 in its entirety before finalizing any purchases.
4

Purchasing parts to build your own VNC Viewer Plus compatible computer (part 1)

You can purchase a VNC Viewer Plus compatible processor and chipset separately for a custom build. As there is no definitive list of compatible hardware, you will need to research each piece of hardware individually.
To purchase a VNC Viewer Plus compatible processor, begin by clicking the link below for the list of processors with vPro technology. Any processor that also has Intel integrated graphics (confirmed by having an Intel graphics card listed in the Processor Graphics column) should be VNC Viewer Plus compatible.
Important note: please read step 6 in its entirety before finalizing any purchases.
5

Purchasing parts to build your own VNC Viewer Plus compatible computer (part 2)

Your chipset must also feature vPro technology.
There is no list of chipsets with this feature, nor can you filter a search for them on Intel’s website. Instead, you need to check each one's specifications individually. Begin by selecting your chipset from the list in the link below (this tutorial will use the Intel® Q67 Express Chipset as an example).
After selecting your chipset, you will be taken to its specifications. On the navigation panel on the left, click Advanced Technologies. If Intel® vPro Technology is included, and the Intel® ME Firmware is version 6.0 or later, it is VNC Viewer Plus compatible.
Here, the Intel Q67 Express Chipset features ME Firmware Version 7.0 and vPro technology. This means it can be used in conjunction with a compatible processor to offer full VNC Viewer Plus support.
Important: please read step 6 in its entirety before finalizing any purchases.
6

Confirming your OEM has enabled KVM in your vPro processor

For a computer to be VNC Viewer Plus compatible, its OEM must have enabled KVM. The most reliable way to confirm this is to contact the OEM in question and ask them directly.
It's worth noting that some OEMs (such as Dell) at least hint which computers have KVM enabled on their website. For example, the Dell Latitude 13 7000 Series' processor has vPro, and it is described in the following way:
"...Dell offers unique Intel® vPro™ capabilities for updating your entire fleet of commercial endpoints at once, even if they’re powered off."
Here, the key piece of information is the phrase 'even if they're powered off'.
Although we still recommend contacting the OEM before making a purchase, this wording suggests the computer will be VNC Viewer Plus compatible.
Other Dell computers which, after contacting their customer services, we believe will fully support VNC Viewer Plus include the following:
• Latitude 6000, 7000 and 5000
• Precision M4800, M6800, T5810, T7810, T7910
• OptiPlex 9020
Remember that unless you contact customer services yourself, there is unfortunately no way you can guarantee that any of these computers are VNC Viewer Plus compatible.

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