Virtual Network Computing apps have been on the iPad since day one. And I have recommended them for use with MacWise. But there is a new kid on the block that really improves the experience with MacWise...
"Parallels Access takes the virtual-computer experience to the next level. The new app goes beyond simply providing a window back to the other machine, taking into account things like screen resolution (the apps are resized for the iPad's aspect ratio) and user experience"...
(from a Mashable Review)
"Tap an app icon and the software opens full-screen, cursor-free, and ready to accept a full range of gesture-based commands, including copy and paste, selection, or drag and drop. Scrolling is done with a finger, and the iPad keyboard is enhanced with additional commands for function keys, arrows, and more. To better maneuver desktop applications, Parallels Access offers a cursor-based tap-and-hold magnifying glass, while holding longer switches to selection tool instead. Coupled with "SmartTap" to make sure taps always execute as intended, Parallels Access deftly overcomes usability issues that have long plagued other remote access solutions"...
Using MacWise on the iPad is now a pleasant experience. The MacWise window is full screen on the iPad and the touch controls are very nice. You can tap on the MacWise function keys or double tap to edit them.
The text is crisp and easy to read.
Launching MacWise is easy with the Parallels Access app launcher. It looks just like an iPad screen but has your Mac apps as icons on the screen instead of iPad apps.
Copy and Paste works with MacWise. But remember that you are copying and pasting on your Mac (not between your iPad and your Mac)
To copy, you tap and hold until a blue circle draws around the starting point. Then drag to select the area you want to copy.
To paste, select Paste from the Edit Menu.
One thing worth mentioning is the window sizes of apps you have running on your Mac. When you exit Parallels Access on the iPad, your Mac screen is returned back to normal resolution (It was 1080 x 768 before exiting). That can do some strange things to a large Mac monitor screen. Any windows that were open larger than 1080 x 768 will be reduced to 1080 x 768.
So I recommend that you do not use the "24-Point font and largest window" size in MacWise. That window size is taller than 768 and will be resized smaller by Parallels Access. (That causes emulation problems).
Using the 18-Point font window works fine.
I am hoping that the Parallels techies can figure out how to make the windows all resize back to their original size in some future version.
A very nice feature is that you can set a preference in Parallels Access to blank your Mac Screen while you are using MacWise from your iPad (so others in your office cannot see what you are doing).
If you think that you can live with the window resizing issue, I would highly recommend using Parallels Access with MacWise.
You can get a 14 day demo to try it out.
Rich
