Plugable is one of the most well-known names in the wired file transfer space, albeit an unattractive one, and offers quality cables for transferring files from one PC to another.
We were recently impressed with the Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 HDMI Docking Station, a one-stop shop for ultra-fast transfer speeds (albeit at a fairly steep price), and Plugable has now announced the USB 3.0 Transfer Cable with USB-C Adapter.
As its name suggests, the new cable offers both USB-C and USB-A compatibility, making it an essential tool for workplaces still moving into the current decade of connectivity. Plugable includes its Bravura software, which works to boost speeds and facilitate file transfers between Windows PCs.
Full support
USBC-TRAN, a slightly nicer name that Plugable calls the adapter, is the successor to the USB3-TRAN and makes it easier to transfer files and folders within your PC.
According to the company, USBC-TRAN is compatible with all versions of Windows, from Windows XP to Windows 11, and with both 32-bit and 64-bit formats, as well as with virtually all existing USB-C and USB-C ports.
That’s right: Plugable has designed the USBC-TRAN to be compatible with Windows 11, 10, 8.1/8, 7, Vista, and XP out of the box, with no additional steps required. (Sorry, macOS users, but you’ll have to wait until this test is complete.)
Plugable's Bravura tool can also be installed on virtually all versions of Windows and works on an unlimited number of computers. If you're the IT administrator for your organization and you're trying to figure out how to migrate PCs, your life just got easier.
Plug and play
One of the biggest draws of Plugable's setup is how easy file transfers can be: a drag-and-drop file transfer feature pairs nicely with a friendly user interface to make the mundane easier.
In terms of the actual hardware, the USBC-TRAN has a two-meter (or 6.5-foot) cable, which is plenty of length for most rooms, along with LED indicators and handy built-in adapters for converting USB-A to USB-C on both ends.
Plugable claims that transfer speeds can reach up to 5Gbps, which is really impressive and makes moving large videos or other documents really easy.
The USBC-TRAN will set you back $44.95 with a 20% discount at launch through Plugable's website or Amazon, and ships to the US, Canada, and the UK.
Security First
You might be thinking, “Cloud storage is so good now and internet speeds are so fast, why do I need a cable?”
The answer is simple: security. Cloud storage introduces a third party into the process of storing and moving files, and while providers like Dropbox, Google Drive and others are certainly secure, there is still an element of risk.
Anyone who works in an IT department and has handled sensitive files knows how much they need to be protected at all costs, and moving them offline (via a physical cable at their physical location) is pretty much the safest way. Nothing leaves the building.
