Remote Desktop app for Windows/Mac

[oldhifi]

I plan on buying a used Imac 17 to 21 inch for my mother in law, she only sends email and does some on line shopping. Most of these machines have Lion or Snow Leopard on it, can I do a remote desktop on these IMacs? Sometimes she calls and I have to fix her Windows computer (now broke) over the phone. I just thought it would be easy if I could log into her desktop and see what is going on? any suggestions on software? I would only log in from my Mac Mini.

Thanks!

 

[GGJstudios]

I plan on buying a used Imac 17 to 21 inch for my mother in law, she only sends email and does some on line shopping. Most of these machines have Lion or Snow Leopard on it, can I do a remote desktop on these IMacs? Sometimes she calls and I have to fix her Windows computer (now broke) over the phone. I just thought it would be easy if I could log into her desktop and see what is going on? any suggestions on software? I would only log in from my Mac Mini.

Thanks!

I use TeamViewer, which is free for personal use and works with Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Ubuntu, iPhone, iPad, etc. It's very secure and quite simple to set up and use (no messing around with ports), which comes in handy if providing remote support to those who aren't very computer literate. You can talk them through the setup on their end and be connected to them in less than a minute. I prefer it over LogMeIn because it includes free file transfers between computers, a feature I use frequently. Also, TeamViewer doesn't affect audio settings on OS X, as many have reported that LogMeIn does.

 

[petvas]

Why don't you get her an iPad? Does she want something with a big screen? If not, then maybe she should get an iPad instead..

 

[oldhifi]

Why don't you get her an iPad? Does she want something with a big screen? If not, then maybe she should get an iPad instead..

she does not like laptops or tablets..she wants to set at her desk, but thanks for the reply.

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I use TeamViewer, which is free for personal use and works with Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Ubuntu, iPhone, iPad, etc. It's very secure and quite simple to set up and use (no messing around with ports), which comes in handy if providing remote support to those who aren't very computer literate. You can talk them through the setup on their end and be connected to them in less than a minute. I prefer it over LogMeIn because it includes free file transfers between computers, a feature I use frequently. Also, TeamViewer doesn't affect audio settings on OS X, as many have reported that LogMeIn does.

Sounds great..so any of these Core 2 duo Imac's would work? I am trying to stay under $500 for this setup..

 

[GGJstudios]

Sounds great..so any of these Core 2 duo Imac's would work? I am trying to stay under $500 for this setup..

Yes, I can still run TeamViewer on a 6 yr old C2D MBP.

 

[AppleFan360]

I use TeamViewer, which is free for personal use and works with Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Ubuntu, iPhone, iPad, etc. It's very secure and quite simple to set up and use (no messing around with ports), which comes in handy if providing remote support to those who aren't very computer literate. You can talk them through the setup on their end and be connected to them in less than a minute. I prefer it over LogMeIn because it includes free file transfers between computers, a feature I use frequently. Also, TeamViewer doesn't affect audio settings on OS X, as many have reported that LogMeIn does.

Thanks for posting this. I will try Teamviewer. I have been looking for something to help my 85 year old father with his iMac. He's 2000 miles away and it takes forever to talk him through stuff.

 

[petvas]

Thanks for posting this. I will try Teamviewer. I have been looking for something to help my 85 year old father with his iMac. He's 2000 miles away and it takes forever to talk him through stuff.

Teamviewer is certainly a good option. I use iChat with my father and just use the option to take remote control of his screen. He doesn't have to install anything, just accept my invitation for remote screen sharing.

EDIT: Of course you can use iChat only with other Macs. Teamviewer is multi-platform.

 

[Apple fanboy]

Another vote for team viewer. Very easy to use.

 

[AppleFan360]

Teamviewer is certainly a good option. I use iChat with my father and just use the option to take remote control of his screen. He doesn't have to install anything, just accept my invitation for remote screen sharing.

EDIT: Of course you can use iChat only with other Macs. Teamviewer is multi-platform.

That's what I used in the past but isn't iChat gone now?

 

[oldhifi]

I will try Teamviewer. I have been looking for something to help my 85 year old father with his iMac. He's 2000 miles away and it takes forever to talk him through stuff.

I know how you feel.. and thanks guys for the posts

 

[petvas]

That's what I used in the past but isn't iChat gone now?

No, iChat is still there. In Mavericks Apple removed iChat theatre, which allowed for sharing of videos and pictures directly when in a video chat. Everything else is still there.