News, info, and opinion by Mac users, for Mac users.

August 1, 2007

updates

Microsoft hooks us up with Remote Desktop Client 2.0

Posted Aug. 1, ’07, 8:46 AM PT by Dan Moren
Category | Software » Updates

Remote Desktop ClientMicrosoft: as good as their word. How’s that for a sentence you never thought you’d see on MacUser? Sure enough, as the software behemoth promised a couple weeks back, a new version of their Remote Desktop Connection Client has hit the tubes.

While it’s a beta version of the software, the new version brings a handful of welcome enhancements: it’s a Universal Binary; there’s compatibility with Remote Desktop protocol 6.0 (itself comprising better Vista support and improved security); it allows multiple sessions; and there’s dynamic screen resizing. Who could ask for anything more? Well, I could ask for one thing more: it requires running an Installer and inputting your admin password, even though it’s just an app with no attendant files. What’s up with that, MS?

The software is a free download and lasts until March 31, 2008—by which, presumably, a full version of the software will be available. You’ll need 10.4.9 and at least a 500MHz G4, G5, or Intel mac with 128MB of RAM to fire this sucker up, but I imagine that’s not a problem for most of you. So, for those who still rely on RDC to manage your Windows computers, go get connecting, er, remotely.

[via Macworld]


3 Comments

geeniusatwrok said:

MUCH better performance on Mactel to where it's actually usable, though it still can't do 1200x800 in a window, only in full-screen mode. I guess that's OK because you can switch out of FS mode easily enough.

still can't figure out how to open more than one session, though, and the online help is just a placeholder, so far. but overall a nice improvement.

August 1, 2007 10:04 AM
Steve said:

Still no font smoothing so that makes connecting to Vista very ugly indeed!

August 1, 2007 2:55 PM
imajoebob said:

If it's anything like v1 it'll make your Windows buddies jealous. Since I was a former network manager, when I went back to school I made good friends with the IT group, especially the one (and only) Mac "expert." She got her PowerBook a month into the first term. but when she started testing RDC for remote Windows clients, I got a copy. No doubt because of the server-side processor load, this SOB screamed. It put the 3GHz PC desktops and 2.5 GHz laptops to shame.

If your network supports remote clients, GET IT! It's much better than either Boot Camp or even Parallels. Plus you don't have to buy a license!

August 1, 2007 10:02 PM

Leave a comment

 



Visit other IDG sites: