VNC Client on a large format Android or Linux Device?

[grumpy3b]

I know there are a ton of solid VNC apps for Linux so I am wondering is anyone using a Xoom or Tab or any Android device of 10" or larger has tried a VNC client to connect to a Windows PC and run apps remotely to gain access to those apps when there is no and never will be an Android based analog of the needed app.

I also asked this in the Apple Devices section but figured it's not that spammy to also ask here given the OS difference.

I am even wondering if a rooted Nook color would be enough though it's CPU might not handle the overhead.

Not running graphic intensive app remotely but more of a vanilla Windows database app for the most part.

Any feedback based on experience with a current device would be really helpful.

thanks!

[=X=]

Yes I've VNC'ed with the nookColor and it is doable. However the real limitation is not really the CPU or network bandwidth, it's the lack of a mouse/keyboard.

I used a free VNC client, I don't know if the commercial ones are any better.

=X=

[wodin]

So, if I had a Bluetooth KB/Mouse it could work?

[grumpy3b]

Originally Posted by =X=

Yes I've VNC'ed with the nookColor and it is doable. However the real limitation is not really the CPU or network bandwidth, it's the lack of a mouse/keyboard.

I used a free VNC client, I don't know if the commercial ones are any better.

=X=

Yeah, that is my concern, the mouse & keyboard input. I found some iOS clients that work as I would hope so there is always an iPad 2 or better as an option.

Originally Posted by wodin

So, if I had a Bluetooth KB/Mouse it could work?

My hope is the virtual keyboard would work for my needs and the VNC client would handle translating touches into mouse movements and actions.

[=X=]

Originally Posted by wodin

So, if I had a Bluetooth KB/Mouse it could work?

Yes. The client I used was "VNC Client". This product is free and was designed with a keyboard in mind.
I guess lack of a mouse is not really an issue one can pinch and zoom as well as tap to simulate a click. The real issue was a lack of keyboard.

Originally Posted by grumpy3b

Yeah, that is my concern, the mouse & keyboard input. I found some iOS clients that work as I would hope so there is always an iPad 2 or better as an option.



My hope is the virtual keyboard would work for my needs and the VNC client would handle translating touches into mouse movements and actions.

Yes most of those product exist for Android too.

If you're willing to drop a dime there is LogMeIn that has a virtual keyboard and allows for a tap to act as a mouse click.

Here is a video of the LogMeIn for Android



=X=

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by =X=

Yes. The client I used was "VNC Client". This product is free and was designed with a keyboard in mind.
I guess lack of a mouse is not really an issue one can pinch and zoom as well as tap to simulate a click. The real issue was a lack of keyboard.



Yes most of those product exist for Android too.

If you're willing to drop a dime there is LogMeIn that has a virtual keyboard and allows for a tap to act as a mouse click.

Here is a video of the LogMeIn for Android



=X=

That looks pretty cool!

[grumpy3b]

Doesn't it? I had not shopped for any VNC packages in long while as even my need for VNC went away for a while. Not as I see only two Win 7 devices (the HP 500 and the Eee EP121 both of which have marginal at best numbers and features) so I am expanding into the iOS and Android devices. Looking at WebOS and the Blackberry devices as well. No matter what I am sure I would like a pocket device and a slate which, unfortunately, puts the ball in Apple's court with it being their game to lose.

I've read enough that you like you Xoom. So, I am hoping for a nice deal later this year for it. My only issue on most of the large screen slates is the aspect ratio is too narrow for running my work apps. But I suppose I can become accustom to anything given enough time. Heck I worked on a black & white VGA monitor for a couple years. It was a brand-x monitor that cost only about $100 back in 1990-1992 but they were near indestructible. In fact some are still in service at my old company. So I think a 16:9 slate that even if it's not what I want I might decide to try if I completely dismiss the iOS family.

[kjk]

Originally Posted by grumpy3b

Doesn't it? I had not shopped for any VNC packages in long while as even my need for VNC went away for a while. Not as I see only two Win 7 devices (the HP 500 and the Eee EP121 both of which have marginal at best numbers and features)

One of the users here, HansTWN, just got a Win7 Tablet and is very happy with it-I don't think it was the 500...you might want to ping him and ask about his experience with it-might fit your needs too.

[grumpy3b]

nice, thanks I poke around and see what falls from the search-trees.

[Filark]

While you're at it, check the enTourage eDGe forum (http://www.entourageedge.com/forums/forum.php). I know (from reading, haven't tried it yet) that the eDGe works with Team Viewer, and I think I saw some posts about VNC as well. It has a built-in mouse-type thing (optical on PE, trackball on EE) that might help -- or not.

Sorry I broke your rule about personal experience, but I figured the eDGe would not just pop into your brain as an option!

[grumpy3b]

Originally Posted by Filark

While you're at it, check the enTourage eDGe forum (http://www.entourageedge.com/forums/forum.php). I know (from reading, haven't tried it yet) that the eDGe works with Team Viewer, and I think I saw some posts about VNC as well. It has a built-in mouse-type thing (optical on PE, trackball on EE) that might help -- or not.

Sorry I broke your rule about personal experience, but I figured the eDGe would not just pop into your brain as an option!

thanks not interested in either Entourage product as I have no idea if tomorrow their doors will open. Maybe next year they will be stable enough for consideration. I hope so as it's a neat device, just not a platform I want invest my hard earned cash.

And after some point in the tread it always drifts so good info is always worth reading!! Thanks for jumping off that cliff!

[grumpy3b]

Originally Posted by kjk

One of the users here, HansTWN, just got a Win7 Tablet and is very happy with it-I don't think it was the 500...you might want to ping him and ask about his experience with it-might fit your needs too.

Perhaps it was his HP 2740 convertible tablet. If so it's a nice box but I am after a slate though if those drop enough I might re-think one as an option.

[Filark]

Originally Posted by grumpy3b

thanks not interested in either Entourage product as I have no idea if tomorrow their doors will open. Maybe next year they will be stable enough for consideration. I hope so as it's a neat device, just not a platform I want invest my hard earned cash.

Well, there is that . . . .

And after some point in the tread it always drifts so good info is always worth reading!! Thanks for jumping off that cliff!

Whew! Thank you!

[murraypaul]

Originally Posted by grumpy3b

I know there are a ton of solid VNC apps for Linux so I am wondering is anyone using a Xoom or Tab or any Android device of 10" or larger has tried a VNC client to connect to a Windows PC and run apps remotely to gain access to those apps when there is no and never will be an Android based analog of the needed app.

Another thought is that if the target PCs you are accessing are Windows one, you might well be better off using an RDP client (where the server is built-in to Windows), rather than a VNC one that requires a separate server program. VNC has an obvious advantage if you are targeting several different backend operating systems.

[thrawn_aj]

Originally Posted by =X=

Yes. The client I used was "VNC Client". This product is free and was designed with a keyboard in mind.
I guess lack of a mouse is not really an issue one can pinch and zoom as well as tap to simulate a click. The real issue was a lack of keyboard.



Yes most of those product exist for Android too.

If you're willing to drop a dime there is LogMeIn that has a virtual keyboard and allows for a tap to act as a mouse click.

Here is a video of the LogMeIn for Android



=X=

I've been using Logmein for about 5 months now and for PC to PC, it's free and the best remote desktop program I've seen, period! (I switched over from years of VNC use). The Android app is a little buggy (and $30 but totally worth it!) and the customer service has its extreme highs and lows and they still haven't fixed this one bug I've had (had to do with changing settings in a session and not being able to back out of the menu). One nice thing about Logmein - no Firewall config needed (I had to do port forwarding shenanigans for VNC and finally got sick of it when our lab network got upgraded). It runs in a browser using Java or a Firefox plugin (the latter hasn't been updated for FF4 yet but the Java applet works just fine). It's a very professional program and a free account at Logmein gives you centralized access to all your remote PCs.

But, all in all, I'd have to say that they're sitting on top of the market at this point when it comes to remote desktops. I control two lab PCs from the android phone app which comes with a pretty slick mouse and keyboard implementation built in. Works quite well (and the bug I mentioned is only a settings menu bug that will probably never come up since I don't have to change anything henceforth).