Customer Reviews

LapLink Gold 12.0

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Laplink provides a simple way to synchronize two computers. The synchronization can be performed through the internet or through a USB2 cable (provided). Im hoping they go to firewire at some point; that should definitely be on their agenda.

In all, it is very easy to make sure that two computers have the same files. We use it to keep essentially one computer as a backup of the other. You can easily select which directories need synchronization, and how to synchronize them (one way, overwrite, etc). Pretty simple and easy to use interface; it take no time to learn how to use it. It even has a virus checker for transferred files which can come in really handy.

This program can be an absolute lifesaver. It can be a simple way of transferring data from an old to a new computer for example. You could use it to synchronize outlook, but it would take some extra steps; you are better off going to an exchange server if that is your goal.

If you are looking for a cheaper option Id recommend a program called Foldermatch. It is shareware (~$35) and does essentially the same thing but it is a little more rigid and a bit slower.

I bought this software a few months ago, and loved it. However, circumstances were such I had to buy a new laptop - preloaded with Vista.

Laplink 12 does not work with Vista, and the company's representative was unable to tell me if it will EVER support Vista. I really didn't like their answer. Since Vista is inevitable on nearly all machines, I wouldn't advise anyone to buy it.

Meanwhile I have software I can't use, an annual fee I can't get a refund for, and I'm paying $19.95 plus tax for a popular web-based version of remote desktop and file sharing software.

I think Laplink missed the boat on this one.

My copy of this program sat unopened on a shelf for a few years before I got around to wanting to use it.

Upon opening the shrinked wrapped package, the first problem is that the manual was designed to be just a little bit longer than the box, so the manual has to be bent somewhat to get it into the box. The CD is attached to the front cover of the manual, with the readable side of the CD facing the back side of the manual's font cover, and with a plastic half-pouch placed over the CD and glued to the front cover around the edges. Probably because of the force fit of the manual in the box, the plastic was torn somewhat. The net is that, after removing the CD from the pouch as carefully as I could, there was very sticky glue on the edges of the CD in several places. Ultimately, IMO the CD can't really be placed in a laptop CD reader without significant risk of damaging the CD reader via sticky glue deposits. In addition, the CD was pretty badly scratched, and I'm quite sure that that wasn't by me (I was *very* careful in removing it).

This seems to me to be totally thoughtless packaging that shows a complete disregard for the customer's right to reliably get the product in usable condition. Since the product stayed on my shelf for some time, I'm sure that the "warranty" has expired, so I don't really expect to get any satisfaction from Laplink at this point.

Is it really true that, for a $100 product, Laplink can't provide the protection of a standard simple CD paper envelope? Those envelopes work pretty well IMO, and probably would cost Laplink well less than a penny each in the quantities they would buy. The exhibited degree of thoughlessness/carelessness on how this product was packaged is simply not acceptable.

I haven't actually tried the product, since I consider the CD mostly a hazard, in it's delivered condition.

It's nice to have built-in remote control, but it would be nice to be able to install without it so you can use something better. I really prefer VNC to LL, and VNC is much less invasive then it installs. The remote access through the internet is nice, but you have to leave your PC on all the time.

The first time I tried to do a large network file transfer it failed. It is only reliable if you disable the built in anti-virus (another unwanted feature). The product will not generate transfer logs properly if it is not installed in the default directory, which is one of those things that really irritate me.

I would really prefer something more like LL5 and predecessors. Easy to install and use file transfer and sync over network, or direct cable connection (USB, parallel, or serial). I have ended up using the USB transfer software from Prolific (who make the LL USB cable chips), which is a free download on their web site. It just copies (no sync), but it doesn't hook the OS and is easy to install and use.

So, free Prolific is too little, and LL12 is too much. Also, LL has not come out with a single update to this product. I guess it was perfect out of the box - ha ha.

Don't buy this if the main thing you want to synch is Outlook - which I did, hoping to help my laptop and desktop communicate about the main program I use.

The best thing about this product is the Internet based service. It allows you to connect to the internet site, then to another PC. This allows for no special configuration to your routers or firewall.