LogMeIn's installation starts with your host computer, the computer you want to reach remotely. Using the LogMeIn Web site, select either a free or paid account, click Add Computer, and follow the step-by-step instructions on the site to download and install the server applet on the host computer. This will place an icon in your Windows system tray that offers a few options, such as disabling the LogMeIn software and checking for updates. You can also change these options remotely through the company's Web site.
When away from the host PC, use any Windows, Mac, Linux, or Pocket PC Internet browser to log on to the LogMeIn Web site and select your host computer. LogMeIn automatically downloads the client software onto your remote client and connects you to your host computer. The software then asks for your host computer's Windows login and password. Next, you'll see three icons (for the free version) or six icons (for the paid version) across your browser window. Click the Remote Control icon to see the desktop of your host PC, which will look like it does when you are in front of the host monitor, with the addition of a left-hand navigation area. A three-button toolbar -- Full Screen, Ctrl-Alt-Delete, and Display -- hovers near the top of the display. By clicking Full Screen, the left-hand navigation disappears, and your remote display becomes that of the host computer. The single Ctrl-Alt-Delete button is useful for unlocking and locking your host computer. Time to log out? A discreet floating toolbar decreases your display, and the left-hand navigation lets you disconnect with the click of a single button.
Features
Like other remote access solutions we've tested, LogMeIn lets you do practically anything on your remote PC that you could do if you were sitting at the host computer. You can install software, change the system configuration, and even schedule the system to reboot at a convenient time. The file transfer utility lets you copy or synchronise files and directories between the host and the remote system, and remote printing lets you print seamlessly from an application on the host system to a remote printer; it's as if the remote printer were connected directly to the host. Not only can you access your PC from the road, LogMeIn Pro lets you invite a guest to access your PC while you are in front of it. The guest can either watch your screen in view-only mode or share control with you, a useful feature for tech support and training. Though the software includes text chat capability, LogMeIn lacks whiteboard functionality, something currently offered by GoToMyPC. LogMeIn says that it intends to add whiteboard capabilities in the near future.
Unique to LogMeIn is the File Share feature that lets you share files from your PC while maintaining system security. Using the LogMeIn Web interface, select the file you want to share, then give LogMeIn a list of e-mail addresses of intended recipients. Each recipient will receive an e-mail with a link to LogMeIn's site where they can download the file. Though the download is served via your PC, security is maintained through LogMeIn's servers.
In addition, LogMeIn offers a variety of innovative security options to keep unauthorised users from accessing your system. Like GoToMyPC, LogMeIn generates a list of passwords for one-time use, which comes in handy if you're using a public PC and you're afraid your password could be stolen. LogMeIn supports RSA SecurID, a hardware security dongle used by many larger companies. Like MyWebEx PC, you can also configure LogMeIn to e-mail a one-time-use password to your e-mail-capable cell phone or wireless PDA, adding an extra layer of security. LogMeIn also can create recordings of everything that goes on during a remote session, letting you create an AVI file of what occurred during that session.
Remote access solutions need to balance speed with image quality; reproducing true colour graphics slows things down considerably. LogMeIn defaults to a low-colour mode, which means pictures will look banded and unnatural, but it offers an easy on-the-fly option to change it to higher-quality graphics. We wish all remote access solutions would offer such flexibility; GoToMyPC is limited to 256 colours, while MyWebEx PC offers only true colour support.
LogMeIn takes a different approach to security than GoToMyPC and MyWebEx PC. Those solutions route all traffic through their centrally managed servers; there's never a direct connection between the remote PC and the host. LogMeIn handles authentication via its servers, providing each PC with an encryption key to use only during that session, but then hands off the connection. The resulting peer-to-peer connection promises better performance, since data doesn't have to travel first to a centralised server. Since all data is sent using industry-standard SSL encryption, the integrity of the data shouldn't be compromised, though some users might prefer the centralised security monitoring of GoToMyPC and MyWebEx PC.
We found the technical support from LogMeIn generous. Both paying customers and free subscribers are entitled to LogMeIn's e-mail support, through which the company attempts to respond within 24 hours. All subscribers are entitled to free updates whenever a new version of the software is released. The site also offers extensive online help, manuals, and a useful FAQ.
LogMeIn Pro uses a subscription-based model; you pay a monthly or yearly fee to continue using the service.
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Bjarne
10/09/2008, 07:29 AM
rating
9/10
Could not live without LMI Pro
Pros: LMI Pro is not free, but the prise is a real good deal.
Cons: missing White Board
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21stcenturyTech
03/07/2008, 11:08 PM
rating
7/10
Log Me In is a great tool, but their free version obviously lacks a few features. I've switched from LogMeIn Rescue to Techinline Remote Desktop www.techinline.com
Their service is so easy to use and my clients love the simplicity of establishing the connection. At $30 a month, it's a few times cheaper than LogMeIn Rescue
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BigE
05/03/2008, 04:12 AM
rating
10/10
I've been using the free version for a couple of years now and I've been really pleased. Works just like you expect and the speed is pretty good. Decent amount of control and it gets out of the way and lets you interact with the remote without problems. I can't imagine not being able to use it. Super valuable.
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alex
30/01/2008, 10:08 AM
rating
10/10
the best. eat webex gotomypc everytime
Pros: free works everytime
Cons: none
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fr_1706@yahoo.com
16/12/2007, 02:19 PM
rating
9/10
This is a great product, it works even with the old DOS, that most of the remotely programs caan't handel.
I recommend it, and it's free.
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buceyes
27/10/2007, 03:28 AM
rating
10/10
Best free remote pc control software I have found. I have a GoToMyPC account which I pay for (will probably not renew) and this is as good quality wise.
Put it on your parrents PC and save hours of time on the phone when they call for help setting up their new printers, software etc...
This works through my proxy/firewall at work which is a miracle in itself.
Pros: Free version is FREE and very usefull. Works through proxy/firewall.
Setup multiple pc's.
Cons: Haven't found any yet.
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AZemsHam
14/10/2007, 05:14 PM
rating
9/10
AWESOME PROGRAM!!! A remote desktop program for multiple computers that has the security and encryption from Hamachi VPN (now owned by LogMeIn) that Leo Laport (Tech TV) & Steve Gibson (Gibson Research) were raving about on their Security Now podcast.
Pros: Multiple computers - off line alerts - back-up and disk space alerts - grouping of computers by location, department, server/workstation, etc. Ability not only to see but kill & restart running processes such as print spooling from the logmein window w/o having to go all the way to remote in and use the remote computers controls.
Cons: Only have one con and that is you can not create groups for users. There are only two to choose from primary and secondary that's it. So when the list gets ling it's hard to locate a user. But you can limit access to certain groups or even a single machine for a user! Very cool product!
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petero
13/10/2007, 03:15 PM
rating
10/10
Phantastic product
Pros: Works very reliably, easy to use, no fuss security.
Cons: Can't find any
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VanMuur
06/09/2007, 12:18 AM
rating
9/10
I've tried several other products that allow remote desktops, and none of them have worked successfully in all instances. With at least one of the products, I've had to keep a port open on the remote end to allow connections in. Something that I don't like doing, and in some cases, can't do. Logmein has continually proven itself reliable in many different instances.
Pros: Allows for completely "portless" operation.
Full remote desktop capability.
Cons: I'm still not 100% convinced that it is 100% secure. Its always the case when using a 3rd party proxy for communication, but with all the traffic encrypted, its not 100% *insecure* either.
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arsumar
02/01/2007, 06:48 AM
rating
10/10
This product is simply the best, I can remotely access all my business computers from a central. Great job LogMeIn!!
Pros: Free!! But the Pro allows additional great features, so if you need to print remotely, file transfer or invite guest. The LogMeIn Pro is for you, if you just want to access your 1 computer or 100 computers remotely. The LogMeIn Free will work for you.
Cons: I serioursly dont see any cons with this products.
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