Plugable is one of the best-known names in the (admittedly not so sexy) wired file transfer market. The company provides quality cables for moving files from PC to PC.
We were recently impressed with the Thunderbolt 4 & USB4 HDMI Docking Station, a comprehensive dock that delivers blazing-fast transfer speeds (albeit at a hefty price), and now Plugable has announced the USB 3.0 Transfer Cable with USB-C Adapter.
As the name suggests, the new cable offers both USB-C and USB-A compatibility, making it an essential tool for workplaces still navigating the current decade of connectivity. Plugable includes its Bravura software, which works to increase speed and smooth file transfers between Windows PCs.
Full support
The USBC-TRAN, a slightly more pleasant name for the adapter according to Plugable, is the successor to the USB3-TRAN and enables file and folder transfers within a PC.
According to the company, USBC-TRAN supports every version of Windows, from Windows XP to Windows 11, and conveniently both 32-bit and 64-bit formats, as well as virtually every USB-C and USB-C port out there.
That’s right: Plugable has engineered the USBC-TRAN to support Windows 11, 10, 8.1/8, 7, Vista, and XP out of the box, with no extra steps required. (Sorry macOS users, you’ll need to skip this step.)
Plugable’s Bravura tool can also be installed on virtually any version of Windows and will work on an unlimited number of computers. If you’re an IT administrator for your organization trying to figure out how to migrate PCs, your life just got a whole lot easier.
Plug and play
One of Plugable’s greatest charms is how easy file transfers can be: the drag-and-drop file transfer feature goes hand in hand with a user-friendly interface to make everyday tasks easier.
On the hardware side, the USBC-TRAN features a two-meter (or 6.5-foot) cable, which is more than enough for most rooms. It also has LED indicators and handy built-in adapters to convert USB-A to USB-C on both ends.
Plugable says transfer speeds can reach up to 5Gbps. That’s pretty impressive and makes moving even large videos or other documents a breeze.
The USBC-TRAN will cost you $44.95 with 20% off at launch via Plugable’s website or Amazonand ships to the US, Canada and the UK.
Safety first
You might be wondering: cloud storage is so good these days and internet speeds are so fast, why do I need a cable?
The simple answer is this: security. Cloud storage introduces a third party into your file storage and transfer process, and while providers like Dropbox, Google Drive, and others are certainly secure, there is still an element of danger.
Anyone in an IT department that has handled sensitive files knows how much they must be protected at all costs, and moving them offline – via a physical cable at your physical location – is virtually the safest way to go. Nothing leaves the building.