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Remote Control

Overview

Support for remote control lets you access one computer from the desktop of another. Rather than having two computers side by side, one can be in a remote location — yet by displaying it on the desktop of your local computer, you can use it as if you were sitting right in front of it. Mac OS X has more methods of remote access than Windows XP, but it lacks an included viewer, so XP's included solution will be more practical for most users.

Mac OS X

OS X supplies multiple methods to achieve remote control:

  1. OS X machines can be set up to allow remote ssh (command line) login

  2. Apple's X11 allows remote control of other X11 applications

  3. Remote Apple Events (AppleScripts)

  4. Included VNC server, so that VNC clients on any platform can connect to and control your Mac (Apple's language can be confusing: what VNC considers to be a server — a computer that can be remotely controlled — Apple considers to be a Remote Desktop client).

    5. Unfortunately, Apple does not supply a free viewer to connect to VNC servers and Remote Desktop clients. Mac users will have to download a third-party VNC client, such as Chicken of the VNC. Users wanting an Apple-supplied way to connect to Remote Desktop clients will have to pay $299 for Apple Remote Desktop, which works with any VNC-enabled computer (including PCs).

Windows XP

Windows XP Professional's Remote Desktop Connection allows you to remotely log into your computer and take control of it. Its remote interface is responsive. Microsoft even supplies a free OS X client, so PC users can log into their machine from a Mac.

XP Home Edition lacks Remote Desktop Connection.

Conclusion

The lack of a free Apple-supplied VNC client (Remote Desktop server) is disappointing. Windows XP outdoes Mac OS X here, offering a built-in client and server that can be used between PCs and Macs (and, of course, two PCs). The only downside to XP's Remote Desktop Connection is that it isn't available for XP Home, but given that remote access is a power user feature as is, most home users would not have a need for it.

Mac OS X: 4
Windows XP (Pro): 9
Windows XP (Home): 1

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