Synching data files between desktop computer & tablet

wpcoe · February 20, 2016

I'm considering getting a large-screen (i.e. >8") Windows tablet to carry when I travel. One candidate that caught my eye: Chuwi H10

Would a USB-to-Ethernet adapter work on such a tablet to use for networking with a desktop computer? Is it possible to network between a computer and tablet via USB cable for file transfer?

I'm new to tablets and not sure what their hardware is capable of.

I looked at the Surface 3 (non-Pro) and it seems to suit my needs, but the Chuwi seems fairly similar for half the price.

DogNo1 · February 20, 2016

I use Bitcasa, the cloud storage service, and my files are available from all of my devices - computers, tablets and phones. Microsoft's One Drive can be used in the same way. You can choose to have Bitcasa or One Drive synch local copies to each machine so that they will be there when your web connection is down.

wpcoe · February 21, 2016

Thanks, but with the reliability and often lackluster speed of internet access in Thailand, I'd rather just synch the computers with a simple cable if at all possible. I'm an old fuddyduddy not convinced on the value of "The Cloud" for my use.

Ks45672 · February 21, 2016

Don't think modern tablets have ethernet port but usb to usb/micro usb should be fine if you don't need to do it wirelessly or via the cloud

steve187 · February 21, 2016

bluetooth?

googles your friend - https://www.google.co.th/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=cable%20sync%20a%20tablet%20to%20a%20pc

some of the 'for dummys'' are good

Edited February 21, 2016 by steve187

impulse · February 21, 2016

I looked at the Surface 3 (non-Pro) and it seems to suit my needs, but the Chuwi seems fairly similar for half the price.

My first tablet was a Chinese no-name and I had nothing but troubles with it. I'm not a believer in "you get what you pay for", but I am a believer in doing some research before laying out the coin and the hours it takes to set up a tablet the way I like it.

To be fair, I lived in China at the time, and it was before the zillions of Acers, ASUS, Samsung, Wisebooks, Lenovo's etc were on the market at very reasonable prices.

wpcoe · February 21, 2016

Don't think modern tablets have ethernet port but usb to usb/micro usb should be fine if you don't need to do it wirelessly or via the cloud

Thanks. So, Windows 10 on a tablet supprts USB-to-USB cable transfer to desktop computer? Good. I was hoping that was so.

bluetooth?

googles your friend - https://www.google.co.th/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=cable%20sync%20a%20tablet%20to%20a%20pc

some of the 'for dummys'' are good

I modified that search to say "windows tablet" and found some good hits. Seems that an "OTG" USB cable is usually needed?

And it looks like a USB-to-GbE-adapter works with in a Windows tablet's USB port as well.

KittenKong · February 21, 2016

MyPhoneExplorer is the only answer. No special cables required as it uses wifi or Bluetooth, though if you have a cable it can make use of it too. I would not waste time with anything else. It also backs up your phone data, and allows you to send/read SMS messages on the PC.

Cloud solutions always seem to need manual prompting to fully download files to a tablet for me, which is useless.

Edit: just noticed that the OP was talking about Windows tablets, so the above is not suitable. Ideal for Android though.

Edited February 21, 2016 by KittenKong

KittenKong · February 21, 2016

Now for the proper answer.

If you are using Windows on both devices then all you need to do is use the Homegroup feature via wifi and your LAN. No cable required. All data remains local and nothing goes over the internet.

The exact way it works will depend on which version of Windows you have on each device, but it does work perfectly. Masses of info available online. Dead simple,

impulse · February 21, 2016

Masses of info available online. Dead simple,

Ho ho ho. I laugh on anybody that thinks doing anything with Windows networking is dead simple. Maybe for someone with a PhD in computer science.

I'll admit, sometimes it is. Like when all the computers are on the same version of Windows, none of them are set to belong to a domain, Jupiter aligns with Mars, and after a few restarts. Then you're good until the next time you restart one of them with or without one of the ubiquitous automatic security updates, and they don't talk any more.

Other times, it makes me want to throw all my computers out the window and send a bunch of money to Apple.

KhunBENQ · February 21, 2016

Both my PC and laptop are cable connected to a 4-port gigabit switch.

Gigabit switch cable connected to the router.

Dead stable and lightning fast. It's as fast as (my) hard disks allow.

Copying files from PC to laptop is faster than doing copies on the PC hard disk.

For syncing I use "FreeFileSync", an open software based program.

http://www.freefilesync.org/

And there is also the possibility of connecting by direct gigabit ethernet cable connection

Dead stable, lightning fast AND dirt cheap.

PhD required?

Well I only have a masters

BUT:

this "Chuwi" thingy seems to have no ethernet connector.

So take my post as a general contribution

I can not even find whether it has USB-3. Does your desktop have USB-3?

Large data through USB-2? Yawn, szzzz.

On the other hand, a SW like FreeFileSync will help to avoid unnecessary copying, reduce amount of data.

Edited February 21, 2016 by KhunBENQ

dddave · February 21, 2016

Check out the TECLAST line of tablets. Certain models have both Android&Windows. They've been generally well reviewed.

KittenKong · February 21, 2016

Masses of info available online. Dead simple,

Ho ho ho. I laugh on anybody that thinks doing anything with Windows networking is dead simple. Maybe for someone with a PhD in computer science.

I'll admit, sometimes it is. Like when all the computers are on the same version of Windows, none of them are set to belong to a domain, Jupiter aligns with Mars, and after a few restarts. Then you're good until the next time you restart one of them with or without one of the ubiquitous automatic security updates, and they don't talk any more.

Other times, it makes me want to throw all my computers out the window and send a bunch of money to Apple.

Homegroups work fine on Win8 and above, and on Win7 or below in most cases, and should sort out the OP very nicely with little effort and no expense.

The clue is in the name: "Homegroup". What sort of normal home user would have a PC on a domain? None, I suspect. And anyone who does have a PC on a domain would usually have some specialist knowledge or an IT support department to fall back on.

Apple products? Universally incompatible with everything, as a rule. And that's three bunches of money, not one.

KittenKong · February 21, 2016

For syncing I use "FreeFileSync", an open software based program....................

.................

And there is also the possibility of connecting by direct gigabit ethernet cable connection

Dead stable, lightning fast AND dirt cheap.

..............

BUT:

this "Chuwi" thingy seems to have no ethernet connector.

So take my post as a general contribution

That FreeFileSync should work perfectly well over local wifi, as will the Windows Homegroup. Cable is nice but unnecessary unless speed is paramount.

impulse · February 21, 2016

Masses of info available online. Dead simple,

Ho ho ho. I laugh on anybody that thinks doing anything with Windows networking is dead simple. Maybe for someone with a PhD in computer science.

I'll admit, sometimes it is. Like when all the computers are on the same version of Windows, none of them are set to belong to a domain, Jupiter aligns with Mars, and after a few restarts. Then you're good until the next time you restart one of them with or without one of the ubiquitous automatic security updates, and they don't talk any more.

Other times, it makes me want to throw all my computers out the window and send a bunch of money to Apple.

Homegroups work fine on Win8 and above, and on Win7 or below in most cases, and should sort out the OP very nicely with little effort and no expense.

The clue is in the name: "Homegroup". What sort of normal home user would have a PC on a domain? None, I suspect. And anyone who does have a PC on a domain would usually have some specialist knowledge or an IT support department to fall back on.

Apple products? Universally incompatible with everything, as a rule. And that's three bunches of money, not one.

Nonsensical as it sounds, millions of us are stuck with Win 7 while we wait for our company IT groups to decide to spend the money and time to update thousands of computers to Win 10.

With fully loaded IT labor at well over $100 an hour, and a couple of hours for each of the 5,000-10,000 computers in our network, that's a multi-million dollar decision even if MS is giving Win10 away.

So I have 2 home computers running Win10 (neither of them with the version that allows me to log into my company's domain- Pro, I think). Plus 1 dinosaur running WinXP that I use with my serial plotter because USB/serial adapters don't work. Add 3 Android devices and try to connect my company issued Win7 Pro laptop and nothing is simple in networking. No matter how easy it looks on the advertisements.

I can get my Win7 laptop on my Homegroup, but every time I pop it out of the Dell Dock and take it to work, something resets and I have to go through a laborious process to got it back connected to the Homegroup. And that dedicated IT support? That starts and stops at the office door. Not available at home where the problems live.

KittenKong · February 21, 2016

You are trying to do something that Homegroups were never designed for, as I mentioned. You can use regular Windows file sharing across all your machines, right back to XP, and it will all work fine, but you should never try to combine both systems as it simply will not work properly.

I'm a bit surprised that your company didnt have all non-company networking locked out on the laptop before it was issued to you. Maybe they did and that's why you are having trouble?

impulse · February 22, 2016

You are trying to do something that Homegroups were never designed for, as I mentioned. You can use regular Windows file sharing across all your machines, right back to XP, and it will all work fine, but you should never try to combine both systems as it simply will not work properly.

I'm a bit surprised that your company didnt have all non-company networking locked out on the laptop before it was issued to you. Maybe they did and that's why you are having trouble?

All good info, especially for someone who just wants to plug it in and have it work. Without a PhD in computer science.

Bringing it full circle:

And that's why I laugh on people who claim Windows networking is dead simple. Within strict limits, maybe it is. But toss in one real world variable, and it's a mess.

Edit: And tying it back to the question in the OP about syncing files between a tablet and a desktop, a Windows based tablet may be a great solution, or it may be no better than a cheaper Android tablet with a free App. Depends on a lot of variables not specified in the OP.

Edited February 22, 2016 by impulse

KittenKong · February 22, 2016

You are trying to do something that Homegroups were never designed for, as I mentioned. You can use regular Windows file sharing across all your machines, right back to XP, and it will all work fine, but you should never try to combine both systems as it simply will not work properly.

I'm a bit surprised that your company didnt have all non-company networking locked out on the laptop before it was issued to you. Maybe they did and that's why you are having trouble?

All good info, especially for someone who just wants to plug it in and have it work. Without a PhD in computer science.

Bringing it full circle:

And that's why I laugh on people who claim Windows networking is dead simple. Within strict limits, maybe it is. But toss in one real world variable, and it's a mess.

Edit: And tying it back to the question in the OP about syncing files between a tablet and a desktop, a Windows based tablet may be a good solution, and it may not. Depends on a lot of variables not specified in the OP.

Again you seem to be confusing Homegroups and regular networking. Regular networking works fine across nearly all versions of Windows, and with non-Windows devices, as long as it is implemented correctly. Homegroups are designed for domestic use of recent versions of Windows and they generally work very well without any specific implementation apart from joining the homegroup.

But I would never try and mix the two. Just use either Homegroups or regular networking. I suspect that your problem stems from you trying to mix them.

As for the OP's Windows tablet, it will be able to share files wirelessly across a homegroup perfectly well but I dont think that this should be the only reason for buying such a tablet. My Android tablet also has no problem sharing/copying files to/from my PC, with the help of MyPhoneExplorer as I mentioned but also without it. I suspect that the OP has some other reason for wanting a Windows tablet: possibly some specific Windows software that he wants to use on it. If I used my tablet/phone for anything more complex than emails, web-browsing and playing media/games then I would probably not want Android either.

ricklev · February 22, 2016

Is there anywhere to buy the Chuwi Hi10 in Bangkok or does it have to be ordered online? Looks pretty good!

dddave · February 22, 2016

Chuwi doesn't seem to have a local Thai importer. LAZADA has a number of models for sale.

http://www.lazada.co.th/shop-tablet/chuwi/

ricklev · February 22, 2016

Thanks.

Saw that , but no warranty on those Lazada offers and no COD

Cheaper on Aliexpress.

I just prefer going to a store. Oh well.

JaseTheBass · February 22, 2016

Is there anywhere to buy the Chuwi Hi10 in Bangkok or does it have to be ordered online? Looks pretty good!

Just click on the store that is selling via Lazada. Most are Bangkok based.

ricklev · February 22, 2016

Ah. My bad. There are a couple with COD and warranty.

Lannig · February 22, 2016

I second the FreeFileSync solution or any freeware program that provides folder sync. Simple and easy. Share the folder on your deskstop, mount it as a disk letter on your tablet, fire sync program. Done.

Wifi speeds should be more than enough with both machines on the home network.

Bluetooth is dead slow and USB-to-USB things overkill (and subject to a lot of issues).

Never used Homegroup because I have too many different versions of Windows on my machines (including XP - yes, I know).

There are very decent Chinese Windows tablets here, I have a Teclast one and it works flawlessly. Chuwi is a good brand.

One last tiny bit of advice: IMHO 8" is a bit too small to work comfortably on a Windows tablet, unless you have really good eyes and pointy fingers. The desktop mode is hardly usable. I'd go for 10".

ricklev · February 22, 2016

Riujd to b xi

Lannig · February 22, 2016

Riujd to b xi

Say again?

JaseTheBass · February 22, 2016

An NUC? That's what I use at home and work. Synology is 1000 times better than WD in my experience.

wpcoe · March 12, 2016

Sorry to have disappeared from my own thread. I was contemplating buying an inexpensive, big screen Windows tablet for the trip to the USA that I'm currently on. I waited too long and then couldn't get the desired tablet delivered before my departure, but I may decide to revisit the tablet idea again once I get back to Thailand, so thanks to all for the info.

I currently synch my Windows notebook and desktop computers via direct cable connection (GbE) using FreeFileSync using basic Windows networking. Is there some benefit to setting up a Homegroup? My original query here was if I could sync files between a tablet (probably with a USB Ethernet adapter) via a direct cable connection using Windows networking, and the answer seems to be yes.

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