AlohaBob PC Relocator 2007 Description:

AlohaBob PC Relocator 2007 review:
1 stars (Disappointing version of what was once great software) - Several years ago, I bought PC Relocator 4.0 when I acquired a new computer. Version 4.0 allowed you to pick and choose what programs and files you wanted to transfer. It took some time to set up both computers and to select the many files and programs I wanted to transfer, but once that was done the transfer went flawlessly.



When I recently bought a new computer, the first thing I did was go to the store and buy the latest version, PC Relocator 6.0, remembering how well it worked the first time around. To my dismay, I found what James Honeycutt described in an earlier review. Instead of allowing you to pick and choose which software and files to move, you have to move everything. It's all or none. Since I planned to upgrade most of my software, I wanted to move just two or three programs to the new computer, and I wanted to move only about half of my documents. The rest was older stuff that I was going to delete. As Mr. Honeycutt described, in order to pick and choose the things you want to move, you have to buy the Ultra Control version. If you have already bought the regular version and you want to upgrade to Ultra Control, it will cost you an additional $39.95. In the end, I copied the files I wanted onto a couple CD's did not use PC Relocator at all.



The reason I am giving this product only one star is that none of this is made clear on the box. When I bought PC Relocator years ago, there was only one version that did everything. When I purchased this version, I wasn't even aware that Alohabob was now offering two versions of PC Relocator: this stripped down version and the full version. Unlike other software products, there was no grid or other description on the back of the box showing what each version could or couldn't do. Most software with multiple versions will have a side-by-side comparison so that you can decide which one is right for you. PC Relocator does not have a side by side comparison. Unless you happen to see both versions in the store, you could end up being stuck with a version you can't use, as I was.



If you want to copy everything on your old computer to your new computer, will this version work? I can't answer that because I didn't get that far. After spending an hour and a half reading the manual, setting up both computers side-by-side, wiring them together, and loading the software on both, I discovered that this version of the software couldn't do what the old version did. If you want to indiscriminately copy everything, I can't speak from personal experience about this version. All I can say is that when I used an older version a few years ago, it worked well. If you want to move only selected items to your new computer, be prepared to spend twice as much for the Ultra Control version
1 stars (Product Limitations not posted on outside of box!) - The product installed per instructions. However, when I attempted to transfer files, the product I purchased did not allow selection of specific files to relocate. ALL files had to be relocated! However, if you wanted to be able to select specific files, then you have to buy the ULTRA version (costs twice as much). I feel this limitation of the product should have been clearly stated on the box. I am sending the product back to Eisenworld for a refund.
3 stars (Difference with the Ultra Control version) - AlohaBob PC Relocator is the "lite" version of the award-winning AlohaBob PC Relocator Ultra Control, which is twice as expensive but more useful. I found the following information from alahabob's website (alohabob dot com):



"What are the differences between PC Relocator and PC Relocator Ultra?



The three main key features Ultra offers over the regular version are:

-Custom Migration (ability to pick and choose the applications, settings, and files to transfer to the new PC)

-Support of TCP/IP network migration (via crossover cable, router or existing local network connection)

-Backup to intermediate storage file (allows you to backup your applications, settings, and files and restore at a later time)"



For me #1 was a must, as I had some programs on my old PC that had lots of performance problems, so with those programs, I wanted to start on the new PC from a clean slate. With other programs, I did want to preserve all the settings and user files. #2 was nice to have, since doing a TCP transfer was much faster than over USB. (Be warned, though, that your router might have to be configured to allow the peer networking needed, which could be a pain in the ass depending on your router.)