HP RGS (Remote Graphics Software): Getting the Most Out of Both My HP Zbook Studio and Zbook 14

Computer migration. One thing that may not be a big deal for some people. But for me, it's a time consuming and one thing that I'd prefer doing it in long spare time. However, these days, spare time is considered as a  luxurious entity in my daily activities. Not only to migrate all my data to a new computer, but making my computer more "bullet proof" to any issues in the future. Generally, it took me 4-5 straight days to set a new computer/notebook up. With the new Zbook Studio G3 arrived on my desk, the process will repeat. And I don't think that I have the time to do so as 4-5 straight days. But, it has to start somehow.

Thinking about all resources and assets that I could use, I started to place priorities to migrate the existing data inside my Zbook 14  to the new Zbook Studio G3. Thinking of what the substantial difference between the Zbook Studio and Zbook 14, mainly is the multiplied performance. So, I realized I wouldn't notice any significant difference in my common application such as Office (I've been using WPS Office for years already), Skype, Email client (I love Mozilla Thunderbird) and so on. However, I will get the advantage of using Rhinoceros, Blender and such applications when I use Zbook Studio over Zbook 14. So, I immediately installed those applications first on the Zbook Studio and start to use it, while also using the Zbook 14 for my daily work. So, having 2 notebooks together didn't give me the freedom to carry them anywhere. That gave extra weight to my backpack. Not good from where I was standing.

The Idea: HP RGS
While installing the demanding applications to my Zbook Studio, I came up with the idea to experiment with RGS to bridge the gap between these 2 awesome HP Mobile Workstations. The idea was simple: placing the Zbook 14 on my desk or my workshop, unplug its battery and get it running under electric power using adaptor, then use the Zbook Studio to continue to work and remotely access everything on the Zbook 14 using HP RGS (Remote Graphics Software).

A Glimpse about HP RGS
Essentially, HP RGS consists of 2 things:

1. HP RGS Sender. The software is installed on the computer that is accessed remotely by another computer. It requires a license to run as the "Sender". However, every HP Workstation comes with HP RGS Sender license at no additional cost. Other than HP Workstation or HP Mobile Workstation need to have commercial license purchase and activated before running the RGS Sender. "Sender" requires Windows or Linux OS to run.
2. HP RGS Receiver. The software is installed on the computer that gets access to the "Sender" computer. It doesn't require any license for the "Receiver" to run in a computer. The "Receiver" computer can be any computer, running Windows, Linux or even Mac OS.

Some of the main features of the HP RGS are:

Real-time Collaboration with multiple users simultaneously — grant view-only or full interactive access.

Consolidate workstation power to the server room and allow your professionals to connect in from remote computers at any location.

Work from anywhere with remote access to your workstation-class apps on your Mobile computer or Windows tablet.

The Real Thing
Setting the RGS up on both Zbook Studio and Zbook 14 was pretty straight forward. Once properly installed, I made sure that the service was running properly on the Zbook 14 as the "Sender" and remotely access it through broadband wireless network after all ping tests were successful. And BINGO!!! Got the visual of Zbook 14 screen on my Zbook Studio.

Both Zbooks were ready

When the RGS Receiver was xecuted on Zbook Studio, it displayed the Zbook 14's screen instantly

So, once this had been established, I could simply work with both mobile workstations using just one Zbook Studio and got both computers on the same display. It was like virtualization at the beginning because of different resolution between both (Zbook Studio is using 4K display), but seconds later, it just felt like ordinary opened window.

I could get access and work seamlessly, even with the common software not yet installed in my Zbook Studio.

A friend of mine asked me few days back, about "Windows-in-Windows" he saw. He thought I was working using a virtual machine on my Zbook Studio. After showing what HP RGS could do, he seemed to drop his jaw on the table. He immediately said "Hey, it's not a common Remote Desktop feature". Of course it's not. It's HP RGS. Videos played flawlessly, as well as audio, remotely.

"I could get access and work seamlessly, even with the common software not yet installed in my Zbook Studio."

One thing I showed him that made him psyched immediately was, when I plugged my flash drive into the Zbook Studio, then the Zbook 14 recognized it as "local USB drive" to itself. Just like plugging the stick into the Zbook 14 directly.

HP RGS: What Is It Good For?
Users of HP Workstation and IT persons, tend to underestimate what HP RGS can do. Practically, I will try to describe the use of the HP RGS, based on my own experience. Not by brochures.

1. Remote Access that amazingly performs like local. Unlike any standard Remote Desktop applications, the HP RGS can share a screen up to 4K display resolution, smoothly. Yes, smoothly. Even you can watch video using RGS in full resolution and full frame rate along with its audio, dynamically adapting to your network situation. Other Remote Desktop applications fail to come close to what RGS can offer.
2. Just as my story above, I'm now able to work immediately using my Zbook Studio, without even have to install everything on it or migrating some licenses from my Zbook 14. Working through RGS window inside my Zbook Studio, allow me to share identical screen from my Zbook 14 without compromising the experience. Installing everything can be done one step at a time without a down time, or even not installing anything yet, other than HP RGS. So I'm not losing anything and not wasting any time at all.
3. With HP RGS, I could share my screen to my colleagues and even give some of them the control to my Zbook 14 from their places without having the necessity to meet them all in one place.
4. Frankly speaking, this would benefit IT support persons as well, as they could easily access, remotely installing or even troubleshooting a computer from a distance just like local. It may sound like a common Remote Desktop, but I can assure you, it offers far more advanced user experience over those. Even with a Remote Desktop solution that requires some hardwares to be installed first.
5. HP RGS doesn't require any special hardware installed  (encoders or decoders) on any Sender or Receiver. The freedom of HP RGS had pleased me.
   

So, if you're interested in more information about HP RGS, here are some videos on YouTube that you can watch.

Update: June 2, 2016

Collaboration works well between these 2 HP Mobile Workstations. All data is stored inside HP Zbook 14. The HP Zbook Studio G3 managed to take over the control of the Zbook 14, while at the same time, Zbook 14 can have instant take back the control in collaboration workflow and still sharing its screen to the Zbook Studio.

HP Zbook Studio G3 on the left, HP Zbook 14 on the right.