We Review GoToMyPC for iPad

We Review GoToMyPC for iPad
Businessmen and women these days can benefit from remote access solutions like GoToMyPC iPad. More often than not, traveling businessmen carry around multiple laptops and cell phones and must manage not only the devices and their respective accessories, but also the files and data stored on them. Their dependence on these devices is so deep that the loss of any one of them could mean hours of frustration and thousands of dollars in lost profit. Thus, it becomes important to [...]

Businessmen and women these days can benefit from remote access solutions like GoToMyPC iPad. More often than not, traveling businessmen carry around multiple laptops and cell phones and must manage not only the devices and their respective accessories, but also the files and data stored on them. Their dependence on these devices is so deep that the loss of any one of them could mean hours of frustration and thousands of dollars in lost profit. Thus, it becomes important to consolidate as much of the data and function as possible into as few devices as possible.

GoToMyPC is a software service offered by a company called Citrix Solutions. It allows you to remotely access and control a PC over the internet from an iPad. When accessing a computer this way, you have access to all the files available on that computer, as well as the ability to launch programs like Microsoft Word or Excel. Additionally, you can also arrange to have files transferred from the remote PC to your iPad, or to have them printed through any AirPrint enabled printer.

GoToMyPC iPad is a monthly subscription service, so you must subscribe first in order to use it. However, if you are not sure if you’d like to commit to it, they also offer a free 30-day trial. There are two major components, the iPad application, which is free, and the host software, which can only be obtained after you pay. Once your account is set up, you can download the host software. The installer is easy to run, upon completion, it will associate that computer with the account and provide an access code that can be used from an iPad to access it remotely. Connecting from the iPad takes only a minute or so and, once connected, the desktop of your remote PC will be visible. A small, onscreen dialog will list the touch gestures you can use to navigate. One notable feature is the ability to automatically lock the keyboard and blank the screen of whatever PC you’re connected to so that nobody can disturb you while you’re working.

The installation process is simple and quick. Only two applications need to be installed to get started, the iPad application and then the host application. GoToMyPC lacks the ability to multitask, so you can only run one application at a time. Trying to run any more than that will result in you being disconnected from the remote PC and you will need to reconnect. Citrix has promised that this feature will be added in a future release. Finally, it is also unable to handle streaming audio. For example, a Youtube video can be loaded onto the remote PC and viewed from the iPad, but no sound will be transmitted. Overall, the benefits outweigh the negatives.

Performance through the service is satisfactory, as long as the iPad can connect to a reliable 3G or broadband internet connection. This service is ideal for the traveling businessman, as it enables one to leave a bulky laptop behind in favor of a smaller, lighter one, while retaining all the files and functions of the laptop. Services like GoToMyPC iPad are bound to become more popular as businessmen on the go seek ways to consolidate their devices and data.

Our verdict on GoToMyPC iPad

During the trial, I made it a point to leave my laptop at the office and to use my iPad to access productivity applications and work. I also took the time to write down what I liked and didn’t like about the service, so I’ll list some of it here. First, I liked that the installation process was quick and painless. I installed a total of one file onto my computer, two, if you count the iPad app. For the whole trial period I did not have to touch my laptop once, and was able to do everything I needed to do from the iPad. No service is perfect though, and GoToMyPC iPad is no exception. I noticed that there is a bit of ‘lag’, when issuing a command, although that may have been the internet connection I used. Citrix has promised that any problems will be fixed and new features will be added in a later update.

Overall, I’m very satisfied with its performance. It performs exactly as advertised, and I consider it the perfect solution to my device problem. I’ve since paid for a full year’s subscription, and plan on renewing it when the time comes. I recommend that anyone in need of a remote access solution should check out GoToMyPC iPad.

Nicole Scherzinger
Katie Cassidy
Arielle Kebbel