Remote Desktop Apps for the iPad
Which remote desktop app is right for you?
Ever needed to access your personal computer or laptop while you were on the road? Ever needed that one special file from your desktop pc while you were on the other side of the country from it? Using your iPad and a remote-access app, it’s easy to access your desktop or laptop computer regardless of where it is or you are. As the name indicates, these apps enable you to use your iPad to take command over your personal computer or laptop. Once you’ve gained this control, it is possible to open files, explore folders, access contact lists and, in some instances, watch movies or videos that you’ve saved to your Home computer or laptop. The best news? There are many remote-access apps available. While remotely controlling your PC isn’t as smooth an experience as simply working with it in person, these applications will help out in an emergency.
GoToMyPC
GoToMyPC ranks as the grandfather of remote-access services. The people behind the service, Citrix, have been offering users remote access to their PCs and laptops since before the iPad even hit the market. The good news about this service? It’s the most powerful remote-access app available. It’s also incredibly easy to use. PC Magazine, in a recent review, points to the intuitive button system that permits you to easily navigate through your laptop. What’s more, it praises the system’s arrows function, which allows you to make use of your iPad to imitate moving your cursor using a mouse. The downside? GoToMyPC isn’t a bargain. Depending on your service, anticipate paying about $9.95 a month or $99 a year for the program. For many users who only need to remotely access their PC on rare occasions, that cost could be too much.
SplashTop Remote Desktop
One of the more popular remote-access iPad apps, SplashTop Remote Desktop is remarkably powerful for its low price of $4.99. And, as a recent review in CNET says, you can even use this software to access and stream videos and music from your PC to your iPad. This is a uncommon feature in the remote-access industry, and makes this program an attractive one.
LogMeIn Ignition
LogMeIn Ignition is another lower-priced alternative to popular GoToMyPC, though at $30, it is costlier than rival SplashTop. This system was also praised by CNET for its simplicity of use and effectiveness, but also for two nifty features. First, you can use LogMeIn to remotely wake up a sleeping or shut-down PC. Secondly, you can utilize the app to remotely relocate files from a PC to your iPad.