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San Francisco Chronicle
- David Einstein
Oct 8, 2007
Link to article
Q: I have lived with a laptop as my only computer for many years. I recently bought a desktop which
now has become my main computer. However, sometimes I still use the laptop when I travel. What is
the best way to synchronize the computers so that e-mail and some files are the same on both
systems? I use Windows XP Home Edition on both computers.
A: My vote goes to PCsync from Laplink Software (laplink.com). It can synchronize the data on
computers as well as on external hard drives and USB flash drives, so that every storage device is
on the same page, so to speak. You can synchronize your desktop and laptop via either a wireless
network, a Laplink USB cable or a Windows Easy Transfer cable. PCSync is downloadable for $39.95
and they'll send you a cable for free.
Windows Vista, the successor to Windows XP, includes a syncing feature called Sync Center,
but it's designed for syncing stuff between a Vista computer and a Sync Center-capable mobile
device such as a smart phone or a camera.