Symantecs pcAnywhere Version 10.5 is now compatible with Windows XP and has added some valuable security refinements. Although Version 10.0 worked with XP, there were minor video compatibility problems that Symantec ironed out in Version 10.5, which will be released this week.
Of course, the other “incompatibility” is that XP comes with its own remote control, which raises a more fundamental question: “Why buy third-party remote control?” Especially when pcAnywheres suggested retail price is $179.95.
In eWeek Labs tests, the additional security features, including better logging that let me track failed connections caused by an invalid IP address or security ID as well as reporting on scans of the pcAnywhere port, made a compelling case for the stand-alone product.
Of course, the other big advantage of pcAnywhere is that its a good choice for use with a variety of operating systems—including the many versions of Windows that do not include remote control.