I mean, sure, X over SSH is slow across the Internet, even with compression, but then MS Windows Remote Desktop is no blazing-fast, realtime operation under those circumstances, either.
Actually it is. I can work with remote desktop sessions over a cellphone link without having too much latency issues.
Remote Desktop is definitely a result of good engineering. Add support for local drives, printers, clipboards, USB devices etc and it's one of those very neat things which makes me love working with multiple Windows servers remotely.
In my experience, actually it isn't. I didn't just make that up. Sorry -- your anecdotal evidence doesn't trump mine, especially since:
1. you haven't provided a comparison with X, which is sorta the point -- so maybe X would be blazing fast in your circumstances too
2. if what you say is true, you're obviously operating under different circumstances than me (or my girlfriend who has to use RDP all the time for work)
3. I have no way of knowing if what you said is true
Actually it is. I can work with remote desktop sessions over a cellphone link without having too much latency issues.
Remote Desktop is definitely a result of good engineering. Add support for local drives, printers, clipboards, USB devices etc and it's one of those very neat things which makes me love working with multiple Windows servers remotely.