One of the key reasons a laptop computer was created was to enable people to carry a computer with them when they are on the go. Today many people use the same laptop whilst they are at their desk as well as on the road.

There are however many who have a desktop for their office work with a sizeable hard drive and then use the laptop purely for on the road work such as client presentations and checking/replying to emails. The new net books that are now flooding the market are ideal for this scenario. Being so light weight they are affordable making them ideal for the person on the road.

The one dilemma faced by those that use a desktop at work, is how to access an important file when they are on the road that have forgotten to transfer it.

Carbonite recently released a new service called Remote Access which offers our travelling laptop users easy access to all the files on their desktop.

By subscribing to Carbonite and backing up the desktop computer, the travelling laptop user, can then log into their Carbonite account from anywhere an internet connection is available and remotely download the files they require to their laptop. They don’t need a 2nd Carbonite subscription, just an internet connection. What is also impressive about this, is that they don’t need to log into their clunky work network, having to remember special passwords etc.

So when they are next stuck in a bind, wondering how they can get access to that report they saved to their desktop a few weeks ago, Carbonite Remote Access will solve the problem for them. And, if they make any changes to the file, they simple need to transfer it to the desktop, so that Carbonite can backup the latest version.

This is what Choice Magazine wrote about Carbonite in its latest edition:

It’s ideal for laptop and netbook users in particular, providing backup and restore access anywhere there’s an internet connection.

Carbonite Remote Access comes free with your Carbonite subscription and can be accessed anytime via the web.

Carbonite has just released Remote File Access. This latest feature enables you to access files backed up with Carbonite from any computer in the world. Carbonite remote access makes your data accessible whether you’re travelling on business or simply need to pull up an important document, photo, or other file that isn’t stored on the computer you’re using.

The remote access feature adds a layer of convenience to the Carbonite Online Backup service, as subscribers will be able to access their backed up data — anytime, anywhere. Users simply log on to Carbonite and go to the remote access tab on the navigation bar, where they can securely download individual files — no plugins or other software are needed.

“Remote access is a feature our users have been eager for us to include because it gives them the freedom to access their backed-up files even when they’re not at home,” said David Friend, co-founder and CEO of Carbonite. “We continue to add features that directly address what consumers want and need. Remote access is one of several enhancements we’ve made recently, and we have more exciting product developments coming in the near future.”

Best of all its very simple to use. All you need is your email address and Carbonite password. Once you have logged in, you will see a basic Explorer view of your backed up folders and files.

Step 1: Find the folder that contains the file you want to access. Click the > sign to see sub-folders.

Step 2: Click on the file you want to access. The file will then be downloaded for you (usually into your Download folder).

To access this feature simply click here.