Laplink Gold 12

Laplink Gold 12 adds some impressive new features to give you pretty well every tool you could need for secure remote access to multiple PCs.

Installation, though, is an overly fussy process - you enter your serial number, then register a support account online to get an activation key. You also have to create a separate Laplink internet account (free for the first year, then £10.52 (£8.95 ex VAT) annually) if you want to be able to access your remote PCs via the web.

It's hard to see why this can't be managed via a single user account. It's even more annoying that you have to go through most of this procedure on every PC on which you install the product.

Laplink's tried and tested Speed Sync file transfer technology makes light work of maintaining file copies on multiple PCs, and there are many ways to connect to your destination. You can use the bundled USB2 cable, serial and parallel connections, a network connection or the internet (via any internet locator service or a Laplink internet account).

Full remote control capabilities, including a new remote desktop feature, are provided, with integrated text and voice chat, and antivirus protection (based on Bitdefender) for transfers is added - again, free for the first year and £10.52 (£8.95 ex VAT) per year after that.

Security is rock solid, using the built-in Laplink security or Windows authentication. All file transfers are encrypted and connections use SSL security. It's a powerful package for those with multiple PCs or who want an easy way of sharing files.

Prices:
Boxed inc USB2 cable £93.94 (£79.95 ex VAT); download no USB2 cable £82.19 (£69.95 ex VAT)

Contact:
Laplink 0870 241 0983
www.laplink.co.uk

System requirements:

• Windows 98SE, ME, 2000, XP, Server 2000/2003
• 133MHz Pentium
• 64MB Ram
• 30MB hard disk space