LogMeIn Free Review Discussion

by Greg Ross

LogMeIn Free's remote access software promises access to your computer's data from any Internet-connected PC. Is this the frequently traveler's dream application, or just another kludgy third-party replacement for Windows XP remote desktop. Read our LogMeIn Free review to find out.

Read the full content of this Article: LogMeIn Free Review

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By lack of file sharing, do you mean I would be able to access a file remotely but not transfer it to the machine I was accessing it from?

 

That's right, TexasEx7. There is no capability to use the LogMeIn client as a file transfer mechanism/medium. (I should say, I'm only sure of that for the FREE client)

I use LogMeIn all the time, for work computers who are off the network and for family and friends; I LOVE the product, as it works very well and has saved my butt on a number of occasions. It's also an awesome alternative to VPN/VNC, which is much slower, at least for my setup.

 

This app is great and I use it daily. It's like a remote over the internet VNC. Windows remote desktop is good but can have issues when you use one account across multiple machines. For file transfers, you can use one of their other free products, LogMeIn Hamachi. I can't wait for a client for the Palm Pre.

 

That is correct. LogMeIn Pro does support this feature though, albeit it costs money.

We've tested VNC programs in the roundup...they blew chunks. So I do not think it is your problem. LMI is definitely something to consider using. It's also how I administratively control my grandmother's computer (she has XP Home).

You can also have issues when a computer does not have one of the more expensive versions of Windows. You know, like RDP server support not being included? If you have Vista Home Premium, or XP Home, or Windows 7 Home Premium you'll want to look into this program.

 

This smells of viral marketing. Whatever pays the bills, I guess.

 

Then you'll have to accuse all the other websites that give the same great reviews of LogMeIn. Gizmodo, LifeHacker, PCWorld, ZDNet, etc etc.

Edit:

When did viral marketing become synonymous with Astroturfing? Anyone else noticed this? It use to be synonymous with word of mouth. Now it is synonymous with stealth marketers posing as grassroots.

 

Could this be installed on my laptop and then provide remote access
if the laptop is stolen/lost?
You said that the present user of the system can see the mouse, keyboard.
So, maybe not useful for stolen/lost laptop?
thanks,
gordon

 

It is possible to provide remote access if your laptop is stolen. The computer must be on though. Not sure how effective it would be to regain your laptop, but theoretically it is possible.

 

Read this news item:
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9138266/An_amazing_laptop_recovery_story?taxonomyId=15

I believe that was the paid version.
I wonder if the free version would do the same?

thanks,
gordon

 

In the interest of full disclosure, I am a freelance contributor to NBR, DTR, and all the sister sites. While I do get paid for my work, TechTarget is the one paying the bills.

Not the companies that produce the products.

I am paid to be as neutral as I can, and quite frankly I am not afraid to throw punches at a product if it really blows chunks.

If the product we are reviewing is not a free product, we evaluate a trial version if possible. If that is not possible, either the vendor of the product will donate an evaluation version or we will purchase a retail copy ourselves.

But we are VERY clear with the vendors that they should NOT expect any special treatment for donating a product. Their donation gives them the privilege to even have their product reviewed with the understanding that we will call it the way we see it. That is IT.

In this case, we reviewed the free version. LogMeIn had no idea we were reviewing this.

Whey they described in the article is something that you can do with the free or paid version. Video is going to be slow on the free version (since you do not have access to supposedly faster routing/servers) but being able to take screenshots and whatnot is something LMI Free is capable of doing. Just hit 'Print Scr' on the keyboard when running a remote session.

 

Thanks, I will put this on my todo list.
gordon

>Whey they described in the article is something that you can do with the free or paid >version. Video is going to be slow on the free version (since you do not have access to >supposedly faster routing/servers) but being able to take screenshots and whatnot is >something LMI Free is capable of doing. Just hit 'Print Scr' on the keyboard when running >a remote session.

 

I'm a big fan of LogMeIn, and use it all the time. In fact, I'm actually posting this message with it -- I'm in San Diego using a smartphone and Redfly to remotely control my work PC.

And this brings up an important point: there are also Windows Mobile, iPhone, and even Maemo versions of LogMeIn. So don't think it's only useful for your laptop.
-

 

Thanks for the info Ed! Very cool... remote access sounds like it has a brighter future as mobile connectivity options continue to expand.

 

Thanks for the info! That sure comes in handy.
Now, can a Blackberry do it?? If so, I am sold, and getting this ASAP.

 

For that, you just need to use the free LogMeIn Hamachi.
I have the same network drive mapping everywhere I go.

 

Been using LogMeIn for years. The free version allows you keyboard, mouse and monitor control. Yes you can actually set the monitor to be blank during the remote session. The paid version enables fair transfer, printer connections, etc.

Works get for fixing other PPLs machine without scheduling issues and travel time. I love it and my customers love it. As long as the remote machine has it enabled and it connects to the internet, its good to go.

Best Wishes
N

 

Well as Ed Hardy mentioned...you can use this tech. on smartphones....and the BlackBerry's are smartphones last I checked. Anyhow, LogMeIn does appear to support BBerry devices.

I remember using a trial Remote App. on my Curve 8900 sometime back (that I got from the BBerry App. Store) to remotely log into my computer at home...I forgot what the app. was but there are tons of ways to do this on smartphones.

Moving on; I've been using LogMeIn free ver. for some time now and I like it very much. I prefer it much better than Windows built-in Remote Desktop. You don't have to forward any ports both ways (on client and remote machine's firewall/routers) as with RDesktop, so overall it's much easier to set up and use out the box. And IMO, from my experience, using the same line connection/speed between the two, LogMeIn is much, much faster than RDesktop. At least that's been my experience. (Even with RDesktop's Experience settings down to a minimum and Desktop Background off) LogMeIn and TeamViewer owns....simplicity FTW!

 

how is it compared to teamviewer?

 

I've been using LMI Free for a year or two. I have it installed on several family member's computers so that I can manage/fix them remotely. To move files around, I use ftp or email. I think it's great.

 

Sorry to say but TeamViewer 4 is also free and has file transfer between parties, so TeamViewer wins. I used LegMeIn until I discovered TeamViewer, but LogMeIn is much more stable, TeamViewer crashes once in a while. Also with TeamViewer you have to install the software, with LogMeIn you can login from any web browser. Each has pros and cons, you have to try them both and choose according to your needs.

 

logmein is great. If they ever decide to charge for it, I'd be ok with paying an acceptable price...
One feature I like is the "switch on" option that lets you turn a computer on so you can begin remoting it