| LogMeIn Free's remote access software promises | | | | as well. |
| access to your computer's data from any | | | | Training or help sessions could also be run via |
| Internet-connected PC.vgp-bps8 Is this the | | | | LogMeIn as well. A chat screen can be enabled to |
| frequently traveler's dream application, or just | | | | interact with a user sitting at the target computer, |
| another kludgy third-party replacement for Windows | | | | while the Whiteboard feature can draw figures on |
| XP remote desktop. Read our LogMeIn Free review | | | | screen or the Laser feature can point to specific |
| to find out. | | | | items in a program. |
| Account Creation and Program Installation | | | | The visual quality and resolution of the remote |
| In order to install LogMeIn onto any computer, | | | | session can also be adjusted. Color quality can be |
| vgp-bps9 or access any computer from the Internet, | | | | reduced to reduce latency, or enhanced if there is |
| users need to first create a LogMeIn account . | | | | plenty of bandwidth available. The display resolution |
| LogMeIn offers several products tiers; this review will | | | | can also be adjusted as needed, though the available |
| focus on the LogMeIn Free product offering. Signing | | | | resolutions are somewhat limited (mostly 4:3 aspect |
| up costs nothing but a minute of time, though opting | | | | resolutions like 1024x768, 1280x1024, 1600x1200, etc, |
| out of some of the information and offers emails | | | | etc). Full screen mode is also available for users that |
| might be advised. | | | | prefer the appearance of actually working at the |
| In general, the LogMeIn signup process is bit drawn | | | | target computer's location, and it also makes the |
| out and has a few quirks, but nothing terribly | | | | best use of available screen real estate. If necessary, |
| cumbersome. Among the minor oddities: | | | | LogMeIn can zoom in and out as well. The program |
| - LogMeIn asks for a description of the computer. | | | | also supports multi-monitor viewing in the event the |
| This does not have to be the computer's name or | | | | target computer has two monitors. |
| Internet address or anything like that. This description | | | | Performance |
| is merely what LogMeIn will call the computer later on | | | | During the evaluation period, the target computer |
| when you try to access it. | | | | was connected to the Internet via a 6Mbit DSL |
| - If your computer's administrator account does not | | | | connection. The computer used to access the target |
| have a Windows password, LogMeIn will ask the user | | | | was connected to the same DSL connection for a |
| to create a new access code for the computer. This | | | | high-speed test, or connected to the Internet using a |
| security measure does not create a new Windows | | | | public WiFi hotspot in the same city. |
| password, it just protects the computer from prying | | | | On the target computer, LogMeIn had no impact on |
| eyes. | | | | the target system's performance and it needed very |
| - LogMeIn asks for proxy settings that apply to the | | | | few system resources to operate. |
| computer in question. Few users will ever need to | | | | When using home and home office applications, |
| enter any information here. | | | | LogMeIn was snappy with little to no latency or |
| After the installation is complete, no rebooting or | | | | stuttering most of the time. Opening, closing, moving, |
| restarting is necessary. The computer is now ready | | | | or resizing windows does produce some latency, but |
| to be accessed from any 'net-connected PC. | | | | it is certainly understandable for a remote connection. |
| Installation of LogMeIn is a bit longer than preferred, | | | | Viewing streaming video does produce stuttered |
| but it is not too long nor too complicated. Despite | | | | video clips, but once again remote access applications |
| this, the program only took a few trouble-free | | | | really are not meant for it. But to LogMeIn's credit -- |
| minutes to install. | | | | and unlike some competing products -- the remote |
| Program Interface | | | | access interface did not lock up when streaming |
| In order to access the target computer from | | | | video was playing. Outside of those constraints, |
| another location, userswill need to log back into | | | | LogMeIn did impress us with its capabilities. |
| LogMeIn from their mobile computer or public access | | | | We had no problem working with the operating |
| station. When a computer is offline it will show up in | | | | system and all the programs installed on the |
| the main menu as a grayed out option. If the target | | | | computer; it was almost like we were sitting at the |
| computer is online and working a blue link will appear | | | | actual target computer. We could reinstall or run |
| instead. Clicking on the blue link will start the remote | | | | applications, change settings in the OS, open up |
| access session. | | | | Microsoft Word, PowerPoint or Excel and work on a |
| The main screen for the remote session presents a | | | | file, and do virtually any other task the target |
| compact list of options in the sidebar. Users can | | | | computer is capable of performing. |
| either choose to jump right into the remote control | | | | It is also possible to access your computer using a |
| program or go through the help or preference pages. | | | | wide variety of system configurations. We had no |
| The preferences page presents a series of pages | | | | issue accessing the target computer using Internet |
| and settings that are all a few clicks away. Advanced | | | | Explorer 7, IE8, Firefox 2, or FF3. LogMeIn also |
| remote control settings can be configured, security | | | | supports Mac computers, which suggest that Safari is |
| can be altered and additional levels of protection can | | | | also supported, though we did not test this theory. |
| be implemented, or various other network settings | | | | LogMeIn Free also allows the user to remotely |
| and log files can be accessed. The program also gives | | | | control and access any number of computers from |
| the user the option to restart LogMeIn on the target | | | | anywhere. One account can easily be used to access |
| computer, or completely reboot the target computer, | | | | your work computer, your media server, home |
| in order to solve any issues that might come up with | | | | computer, laptop, and even your grandmother's |
| the computer. While it is not a feature that will | | | | computer for free. |
| probably need to be used often, being able to | | | | Limitations and LogMeIn Pro |
| remotely reboot a computer will certainly help in the | | | | LogMeIn Free, while it does a great job providing |
| unlikely event of a computer or application crash. | | | | access to computers remotely, is a slimmed down |
| There are a few settings in particular that we want | | | | version of a much more powerful LogMeIn Pro. |
| to bring to our readers' attention. By clicking on the | | | | LogMeIn Pro costs about $70 per year per |
| Remote Control option within the preference page, | | | | computer, though bulk discounts are available. |
| users can access some very important settings, | | | | LogMeIn Free is not able to share printers, or directly |
| particularly the Security section. Unless users are | | | | share files between the two computers, or keep files |
| tutoring someone else watching the target screen, it | | | | between two computers synchronized. However, the |
| would be advised to disable the target's keyboard, | | | | pay-to-play version LogMeIn Pro does have those |
| mouse, and monitor during the remote control | | | | abilities. Given the cost of LogMeIn Free (or rather |
| session. If that is not done, someone else will be able | | | | the lack thereof), there are no complaints here. |
| to see everything you do and get in the way by | | | | Conclusion |
| typing or taking control of the mouse. These options | | | | LogMeIn Free is a very impressive tool that provides |
| can be configured during the remote control session | | | | a quick and easy way to remotely access, control, |
| as well. | | | | and use computers while away from home or work. |
| From within the Remote Control session itself, the | | | | LogMeIn Free can be installed on any number of |
| target computer's desktopis the centerpiece of the | | | | computers in any location, and the program is very |
| application. The sidebar is the same one previously | | | | snappy and smooth. Since it is freeware, it does not |
| discussed, while the top bar now pops up to present | | | | offer remote audio streaming nor file sharing |
| a wide variety of new options. The layout is very | | | | synchronization, but a more powerful version is |
| user-friendly, and the options are easy to understand. | | | | available at a fair price for those that need these |
| As mentioned before, the screen, keyboard and | | | | advanced features. This program has met all of our |
| mouse can be disabled on the target computer here | | | | expectations; it works and works well. |