Best Tablet for VPN?
 

Hi all,

Looking to purchase a tablet/cheap laptop to be able to use a few weeks a year when I need to be able to remote in to work when I'm not at my home (where I have a desktop iMac).

I've tried to get VPN on my iPad, but neither myself nor my company's IT department can get it to work, so I'll need to purchase a compatible tablet/laptop for the job.

I'd prefer a tablet as they're lighter and can stay in my carry on thru security!

Under $300USD would be best.

Truly, whatever device I get needs to be able to do nothing other than get internet and connect to VPN.

Thank you!

Which app did you try? Have you tried Splashtop app? Or Teamviewer?

What kind of VPN does your company use? The problem isn't the hardware; it's the software. If your company doesn't use the VPN types that iOS supports, there are often third party apps that enable the functionality. I use the OpenVPN app for my home VPN, and my company uses Junos Pulse for its Juniper Networks SSL VPN.

Hi!

Thank you for your input! I don't recall the name off the top of my head (I believe it's Microsoft Remote Desktop?) but the one they said to use on my ipad does not work (its a light blue icon with burgundy and black type- I know, not helpful!)

My iPad is about 4 years old, so maybe that's why it's not working?

We have a Cisco VPN router where I work and the built in VPN on the iPad will not work. Cisco Any Connect, a free app in the app store works fine, however. Then to connect to the Mac on my desktop I use the app Screens but there are others around. As pointed out above I doubt it is the iPad. It is more likely the software that was tried, especially if you tried the VPN built into the iPad.

It all depends on how the router is setup. Cisco has 2 primary VPN types: IPSec and AnyConnect. IPSec is the "old" type, isn't supported on Windows 8; minimally supported on Windows 7; built in to iPhone/iPad/iMac lines (works flawlessly). AnyConnect requires an App to install and run; tested it on Win 8 and Win 7; not tested internally on iMac/iPhone/iPad yet.

Our Internet provider at work (outsourced) supported the IPSec, but not AnyConnect. We had to drag them kicking and screaming in 2007 to setup and install AnyConnect on the firewall connecting my company to the internet. The threat of pulling several hundred thousands of dollars of annual revenue for the provider by our CEO finally got them to stop dragging their feet...

It all depends on the firewall vendor as to how/if it's supported...

J

That seems in agreement with my experience. The built in app on the iPad worked very well a few years ago. But then my employer upgraded to AnyConnect and the built in didn't work. But now the AnyConnect app works very well on iOS devices for us. I think my main point was that on a given hardware platform such as the iPad where there are VERY large number of users, there will likely be a software solution. But not all software solutions on the iPad will work with all VPN set ups.

Now if I could just get ANYTHING to work as a VPN client on my Chromebook. Our IT department more or less chuckled a bit and said, "you're on your own". ;)

From what the OP is saying, I think he has his terms mixed up. His issue isn't VPN but Remote Desktop. There are a lot of Remote Desktop apps out there for the iPad. I'd suggest trying one of the free ones and maybe buying its paid version if you like it.

Good catch, that is real possible. I use the app "Screens" to log into my office Mac from my iPad, it works well for me. I don't have to have a program on the Mac side, just enable remote access.

I think you need a decent internet connection speed on both ends for screen sharing/remote access to work so maybe check that if you haven't.