Zanthexter

March 18, 2012 at 4:32am

Honestly, that was a pretty clueless review.

Software solutions require the OS on the system to be installed and functioning properly. In that situation, they are by FAR the best solution for day-to-day remote access. No question, beating ANY other method of remote access.

The point of this device is to be able to work on your system WITHOUT needing an OS that's working well enough for remote access software to function.

Here are some examples of what that's good for -

You can watch a system boot, and even make changes to BIOS settings.

You can control something that doesn't permit remote control software to be installed, such as a firewall or point of sale system.

You can remote control a damaged computer, for example one so infected with malware that it can't get online. (I support offices in several states, this IS an issue.)

Using the Virtual Media capability you can mount a .ISO from elsewhere on the lan and install Windows from 1,000 miles away.

Using the Virtual Media capability, you can boot off of a CD/DVD containing outside-the-OS troubleshooting and repair tools. (malware removal again)

You can use this with an existing KVM to make it remote accessible over the internet.

You can combine this with a KVM that supports a USB hub for use with four systems. (I haven't found a large KVM with shared hub yet.) I've successfully used the SpiderDuo w/ PS2 and a CablesToGo KVM to share the Spider across four systems, including virtual media, for a total cost of about $300, around half what a 4 port IPKVM with Virtual Media support costs from other vendors.

As I write this, the SpiderDuo is on sale for $199, making it easily the least expensive single port IPKVM I know of. Every time I've bought one, it's been enough cheaper than the competition that I've yet to try a competing model.

I suppose it's possible that a competing model might be faster to work with remotely. But the thing is, as the review says, software remote control actually is better, with more features, for day-to-day remote use. (I like LogMeIn, there are many others.) I can handle a laggy and less than color accurate display if it saves me three hours stuck in traffic driving to and from an office across town, or lets me work after hours from the comfort of my own desk, rather than stuck in some cramped server closet at 11pm.

I'm actually going to send one of these to my mother, who lives 1,500 miles away, because I'm sure at some point she'll get her computer to the point where it won't boot.

So, if you compare this device to other devices in it's category, rather than software remote control solutions intended for entirely different use patterns, I'd personally rate it a 9 of 10. It's a great device, but could use improvements in speed and fine tuning.