Remote Control for PC

[BerenTebogo]

I've been interested in a remote control that will fully control my PC / laptops for years but I've never really seen one with good reviews that will do everything I want. Do they exist yet? If so, how good are they? Is it worth the investment?

I don't have cable so I do all my TV stuff through either Boxee or from my laptop hooked up to one of my TVs via HDMI so something that worked well would be absolutely awesome.

Edit: Before "google" or "newegg" I've been looking and read some reviews but as most of you probably know, I'm tech-tarded, lol.

[orinthia]

You say you've read reviews; mind posting your thoughts on some things you've found? Or maybe the features you're looking to use?

For the tech-tarded in general though, I'd recommend logmein.com as their setup is extremely easy and has a free service that's actually quite decent. I use this to log into a laptop I've setup as a small network file host (essentially just an always-on winxp machine sharing a couple terabyte hdds to the network). My brother uses it to remote his personal laptop to check on things with his phone while he's at a bar or something (has android/iphone apps). The real draw to logmein is that there aren't any real settings for you to mess with; leave it all on default and it'll be ready to go in a few seconds. Download one thing, install it, put your login, and you can remote from a web browser.

Also, remote controlling computers has been around for ages. You just need to find out what exactly it is you want to do with it, and then find something based on that. The better ones are going to need a little more know-how in their setup, access, and security.

[BerenTebogo]

So it's like an app for my droid? Because right now I use my Ipad to mirror my desktop on my various PCs and control it that way but it's kind of a pain. I'm looking for something closer to an actual remote control that is independent of my smart phone / tablet, if it's available.

The type of things I've looked at are similar to this http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16880101007 but I don't think that encompasses as much as I'd like it to. I'm looking for something that has like a dpad / trackball in the remote to mirror the mouse, etc. That's the shit I'm not sure if it exists or not, lol.

[orinthia]

So it's like an app for my droid? Because right now I use my Ipad to mirror my desktop on my various PCs and control it that way but it's kind of a pain. I'm looking for something closer to an actual remote control that is independent of my smart phone / tablet, if it's available.

Oh dang, I didn't get that part of your initial post. I thought you wanted something really easy to use to remote into/use/control a pc from like a web browser or your phone. Wow, I went completely in the wrong direction.

Yes, there are wireless remotes with built-in track balls, keyboards, etc, for use with htpcs and the like. Did a quick search and found this: http://www.jr.com/home-tech/pe/HMT_EZCOMMANDER/ Is this something like you're looking for? It has a trackball in the remote for mouse scrolling, though I have no idea how good it actually is.

Add: keyboard+ball lenovo thingie: http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/c...78400A33E7FE8A

[BerenTebogo]

Oh wow, that second one is fancy, haha. Thanks a bunch! Those are actually exactly what I was looking for.

[hey]

I use one of these myself. It does not have a keyboard, but if all you need it for is simple things like watching tv, that shouldn't be a problem. Using it in the air is surprisingly comfortable and accurate. It also has 3 buttons that can easily be mapped to anything, and even allows different mappings for different things (though unfortunately it does not let you set profiles for custom applications, just different profiles for media players, power point, internet browsers, and one for everything else). You can also set gestures for each of 8 directions, which again, can be mapped to anything.

It's also not a half bad mouse for use on a desk either, though it is a little uncomfortable to hit the button and right buttons. Still though, having the 3 buttons+8 gestures is nice.

[Maguspk]

Just use VNC, no need for special hardware. I control my PC from my laptop, iPad and even my Android phone.

[Obiron]

I can't offer any reviews, this is just something I've been considering getting for my htpc. Similar to the Lenovo, but pricier.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16823126039

[DAKPluto]

I can't offer any reviews, this is just something I've been considering getting for my htpc. Similar to the Lenovo, but pricier.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16823126039

I knew somebody with one. It's very very nice. Pricey, but nice.