WebEx adds Mac support to remote desktop service

Paying users of WebEx's remote desktop service now have the added bonus of Mac support. The service has been upgraded to be cross-platform in time for next week's Macworld Expo and throws in a couple other goodies like a remote Webcam viewer (so you can spy on your home computer from the office and visa versa), and a guest pass system that lets you send someone a one-time coupon to use your computer from wherever they are.

It's kind of surprising it's taken WebEx this long to get a Mac version of its remote client service together, but with Mac's marketshare climbing past 7 percent last month (according to Net Applications), it's clear bigger companies are starting to pay attention to the pleas of Mac users. As a start, WebEx released an iPhone-compatible version of the PCNow service in late August of last year that included mobile file access, and integration with Skype and Outlook. Similar services like LogMeIn and the Java-based RealVNC have been offering cross-platform services for quite some time now, although competitor Citrix seems content to rest on its laurels with a still PC-only version of its GoToMyPC service.

WebEx's PCNow retains its starting rate at about $13 a month for one computer, which goes all the way to $60 for 10 machines. There's also a 30-day free trial if you want to give it a spin. Personally I think casual users who only need a remote desktop service to grab the occasional file, or get a lengthly download started are probably better off with LogMeIn Free, which Rafe and I both use on our home machines with great success.

[larrysokolic]

I have been using a service from http://showmypc.com. Completely free (so far !!) and is a breeze to start. Basically, there is no install; just click a exe file (which happens to be signed), and you are all set. No registrations, no going through install programs. I really love this site.

[bmora96]

I met recently with Paragent, which provides fast, easy and secure Remote Desktop Management for the entire computing infrastructure from anywhere in the world. Systems and data are secure when using Paragent as our remote control solution.

[samman3243]

As a 'casual user,' I found that PC2ME, which is free, has better access than the other remote apps. Check it out at www.pc2me.net.

[techoftheday1980]

I found Techinline Remote Desktop www.techinline.com to be very effective and at $30 a month, it's a steal! Basically there's no installation required on either end, and all the remote user has to do is give you a number that they get off a webpage and you're good to go! They have a few neat options, but obviously it does not have as many as Webex or LogMeIn. For me it's irrelevant though, since most of you will agree that a vast majority of those features are not used day-to-day anyways.