LapLink Gold 11.5

List Price: $99.99

Features:

• Access your PC and transfer your files from virtually anywhere
• Synchronize data between PCs, and operate, maintain and reboot PCs or servers remotely
• Directly connect via serial, parallel, or USB cable
• Migrate data from an old PC to a new PC
• Protect your data during transmissions with multi-level encryption

Customer Reviews:

OK product, but not through a firewall as advertised [Posted on 2003-09-24]
I have used PCAnywhere for several years, but I now need a solution that would allow me to have remote access to computers that are behind routers and firewalls. So with this being a feature of the latest version of Laplink, I was sold. But of course, it is not as easy as they say.

The setup for a firewall connection is a bit complex, and not included with the manual. After testing many times and double checking the settings, I found that the only way it would work is to turn on port forwarding or virtual server on the router. I tried this with my SMC Barricade and Linksys Access Point, and it was the same for both. It seems that if the router requires Stateful Packets, the "trick" will not work. Too bad. They offer their internet web service called Laplink Everywhere for problematic firewall connections, for $9.95/mo or $89/yr. Didn't I already pay for the software? Also, you get one free tech support call, and then it also gets to be expensive.

Outside of the firewall connection issue, the product seems to work OK. I thought that the remote control speed was a bit slow on an internal LAN, but faster than I expected using dial-up. The usual features (file transfer, chats, etc.) also seem to be adequate. I do not use the sync feature, so I have no opinion on it.

How does it rate compared to PCAnywhere? I would say it is probably about the same, with it simply being a matter of preference. If you are satisfied with PCAnywhere, then Laplink will probably not be much of an improvement.

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