GoToMyPC March 2009
Which? takes a look at GoToMyPC
GoToMyPC offers a simple way of accessing your PC remotely. There's some delay even with a fast internet connection, but it's worth a look if you're away from your work PC.
GoToMyPC
GoToMyPC isn’t the first program to let you access your PC remotely, but its high media profile will mean that the concept is reaching a whole new audience.
The idea behind it is simple: install the client software on one PC, such as a work computer, and you can then access anything on that computer using a web browser on any other computer, as long as both computers are switched on and connected to the internet. This would mean, for instance, that you could use your work computer from a laptop while you're at home, without having to manually transfer your important files.
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Setting up was straightforward: create an account via the GoToMyPC web page, and then download and install the client program.
PC security settings
As you set this up you're asked to create a security key that will be needed to access this computer remotely. Once you’ve done this, you can go to the GoToMyPC web page from another computer, log in, and connect to the first PC – you’ll get a window on the second computer that shows the desktop of the first computer.
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It works well. All the functionality of the host computer could be accessed remotely – you can even print out documents from the remote computer. It’s not perfect: even with a fast internet connection on both PCs it'll be obvious that you’re working at a distance, and the delay before the host computer responds may prove frustrating. But if you're aware that transferring chunks of data between the two computers is always going to take time, then it’s a handy way of getting at your files when you’re away from your main computer.
It’s not the only such product on the market (LogMeIn do a similar product – see secure.logmein.com – which includes a version that’s free for home use), but it's worth a look if you're often away from your work PC. The first month's trial is free, and after that prices start from £9 per month.
Pros: Works well
Cons: May be too expensive for some