In contrast, Windows Live Mesh and SplashTop HD ran like a dream and made it easy to access and control the computer from a Windows laptop, Macbook Pro, HTC Flyer and various Android smartphones.

ENGADGET: How-to: Build a multi-talented HTPC for (roughly) $1,000

Developers at Microsoft have revived the dream through Project Austin, a Windows 8 app based around the visual concept of a notebook.

ENGADGET: Microsoft resurrects Courier through Project Austin app for Windows 8, sparks nostalgia (video)