I'm juggling between a Mac for content creation, using tools like FCP and Canva, and a PC for emails, reports, and managing athlete enrolment. I can't switch from one to the other since both are essential for my work. Currently, OneDrive isn't reliable enough, as files take ages to show up, and using a USB drive means constantly plugging and unplugging. I've spotted some data transfer cables on Amazon—like a $15 CAD Amazon Basics one and a $70 CAD one from Pluggable. I'm wondering if using one of these cables is a straightforward solution for transferring files between my Mac and PC. Is it truly plug-and-play, like having the computers function as USB drives? Any advice on making this work would be appreciated!
5 Answers
Just a heads up, OneDrive can be frustratingly slow if you upload a lot of files at once. I suggest moving files to your PC first, then uploading them to OneDrive in batches to avoid long waits.
That's good advice. But regarding the cable solution, how does that actually work? I don’t want to waste money on something that won’t deliver.
Your best bet is probably to set up a network share on your Windows machine. If both devices are on the same Wi-Fi, you can connect in just a few steps and transfer files without spending money on cables.
If both devices have Wi-Fi and the PC runs on Windows 10 or higher, you can set up WSL and transfer files over SSH. It’s a bit technical but totally doable if you're comfortable with terminal commands.
While getting a NAS could help, if you really want a cable experience, any decent Ethernet switch can keep you connected reliably. It simplifies the logistics without needing to mess with fancy cables.
Absolutely! A switch increases your connectivity options without the hassle of crossover cables, especially if you're frequently moving files between the two machines!
Yeah, I have a couple of switches at home for my setup, and it makes a world of difference in terms of speed and reliability.
If your computers are connected to the same network, you might not even need special cables! You can create a shared folder on your Windows PC and then access it from your Mac. It's a neat workaround that doesn’t require additional hardware.
Yeah, and isn’t it annoying how Microsoft frames OneDrive as a backup solution? It's really just a sync tool that acts up when you're moving large files.