Need files from your PC? Try the iPad’s remote-access apps
You use your iPad for almost everything: Checking the Internet, reading the news, watching shows and communicating with friends and family members. But if you use your iPad for work, you will be frustrated. As handy as the iPad is, it is still not really as powerful as a Workstation or laptop. That's where remote-access apps may help. Developers have developed several programs which allow you to access and take control of your desktop or laptop computers from the iPad. You can access your files, folders and contacts. Some even let you stream the videos and music you store on your computer on the iPad. Controlling a PC or laptop from the iPad isn't perfect. The iPad's screen is large for a tablet, but it's small for a desktop or laptop. Sometimes things get a bit cramped. But if you need emergency ability to access your desktop pc, these three apps are able to do the trick.
GoToMyPc: Citrix has long offered GoToMyPC, a means to access your home computer while you are on the road. In fact, Citrix was offering this service before tablets and smartphones became the favored toys of tech-savvy consumers. Today, you can sign up for the service for $9.95 monthly for basic service or $99 for one computer for a year. Once you sign up, you'll be given a free app for the iPad that lets you run GoToMyPC from a tablet. As the name suggests, use this service to remotely access your Word and PowerPoint documents, e-mail folders and file folders. PC Magazine just evaluated the service and praised it for being user friendly and usefulness. The cost, though, is high. Many iPad users will find cheaper services that work equally as well for their needs.
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 application to access and stream videos and music from your PC to your iPad. This is a rare 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 program was also praised by CNET for its being user friendly 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 use the app to remotely relocate files from a PC to your iPad.