Need files from your PC? Try the iPad’s remote-access apps

Working out of the office is often frustrating–especially when you want to gain access to a key file on your desktop computer and that pc sits many hundreds of miles away. Fortunately, iPad owners can access several apps that allow them to remotely access the files and data on their laptops and personal computers, regardless of how distant from them they may be. Known as remote-access programs, these tools are available in a wide variety of price points. Additionally, they target numerous types of iPad users, from those focusing on business to those that are interested in watching movies and listening to music. Here’s a look at three of the best remote-access apps available today for iPad users.

GoToMyPC: Citrix, the organization behind GoToMyPC, is a veteran of the remote-access business. In reality, GoToMyPC is much older than the iPad itself. Consequently GoToMyPC has ironed out the bugs generally regarding remote access. This is why the service earned a strong review recently from PC Magazine, whose editors praised this particular service for its ease of use and intuitive controls. As the name suggests, iPad users – with an application – can remotely access their desktop and laptops using this program. They’re able to open Word documents, access Excel spreadsheets and comb through the contact lists stored in their remote computers. The only negative? The cost. This can be a fairly pricy service, costing, in general, $9.95 a month or $99 a year. If you are a more typical iPad user who’s not on the road too frequently, you might prefer one of the lower-priced remote-access apps available.

SplashTop Remote Desktop: The SplashTop Remote Desktop has become a top option for iPad users. That is because the product, as recently rated by CNet writer Matt Elliott, is not hard to install and use. It’s also fairly economical, costing just $4.99. It also lets you stream both video and audio, something which other remote-desktop programs don’t.

LogMeIn Ignition: LogMeIn Ignition is yet another lower-priced alternative to popular GoToMyPC, though at $30, it’s more costly than rival SplashTop. This product has also been praised by CNET for its ease of use and effectiveness, but also for two nifty features. First, you can use LogMeIn to remotely wake up a sleeping or shut-down PC. Secondly, you may use the app to remotely relocate files from a PC to your iPad.