PCSync 2.0 :: Education by Design Store

Editorial Review
Having used LapLink file transfer software for years, we were more than a little excited to get its latest iteration, PCsync 2.0. Packed with a plethora of features, PCsync 2.0 should be able to fulfill almost every type of file transfer need imaginable. And it does, albeit with software that, at times, can be difficult to configure.

At its core, PCsync is simply a utility that allows users to transfer files via a network connection, using the included serial and USB cables, or over the Internet. To this end, the product is fantastic. PCsync's USB cable transfers files at more than 5 Mbps, compared to a typical LAN's throughput of about 1 Mbps.

In addition to the core application, LapLink also includes a suite of additional utilities that, while they aren't nearly as useful as the basic application, give the product added value. PCMover is fantastic for people who are constantly building new computers with the same applications. Once the new system is built and the applications installed, PCMover updates the applications on the new computer with the settings from the older machine. SmartXchange is a way to ensure that files and folders that are shared between two computers are always in sync. MusicMover is LapLink's attempt to ride the MP3 wave that everyone is so convinced is the Internet's next cash cow. While it isn't a fantastic method for finding MP3s on the Internet, it will work as a classic peer-to-peer method for sharing files with other PCsync users. However, keep in mind that these sharing relations need to be set up manually.

Aside from its core usage--as a simple file transfer utility between two or more computers--another of PCsync's other useful applications is one called Surf Up. A truly brilliant application, Surf Up allows users running PCsync to access their shared folders from any networked computer, using any Web browser. This function is invaluable for people who occasionally work from home and need access to files on a work computer.

While PCsync is a fantastic tool once you get it up and running, we did run into some technical issues during the installation. Installing it on our laptop and home computers was a breeze. However, because PCsync's network settings conflicted with our company's network settings, we had to uninstall and then reinstall PCsync and completely reconfigure our desktop computer's network settings in order to get started.

If you're in the market for a good file transfer application from a reputable company, we're hard pressed not to recommend PCsync. Just be aware, however, that getting PCsync's network settings to live in peace with your computer's network settings may take some work. --William O'Neal
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Customer Reviews

PCSYNC 2.0

2001-06-21
I WAS VERY EASY TO INSTALL AND IT HAS AN EXCELLENT TRANSFER RATE OF FILES.

Simply does not work!

2001-06-20
Awful product-could not get it to work with either set of cables. Never made a connection despite trying everything they suggest in the manual. Tech support was worse-cryptic emails that were no help. Impossible to speak to anyone by phone. Never thought I would be pleased to throw out a product but this one is the exception. Stay away.

It is much more than I ever expected!

2001-06-13
I bought Pcsync 2.0 a few weeks ago after a friend recommended that this would be a good way for me to get my favorite files, website bookmarks, website logins, and computer settings over to my new computer. I was excited about my new PC, but was dreading the time consuming task of getting all of my info over to the new PC. Then, I loaded PCsync and plugged in the USB cable. I went through the wizard and in a few minutes my information was flying across the USB cable to my new computer. It was so fast and easy - I was truly amazed!

I thought that would be all that I would use this product for - and I considered that a good investment. But after playing with the product, I have learned that I can share files with friends and family all over the world. All they need is an internet browser and they can access my folder. It also has a cool MP3 file manager. I have organized all my MP3 files and created playlists of my favorite songs. I created a playlist of my favorite songs from the good ol' college days and was able to share them with my college buddy, the guy who recommended this product to me. I am sure this product still has much more that I haven't uncovered yet - but for now it far exceeds my expectations!

Home Run! 2001-06-13
Laplink has hit a home run with PCsync. I bought a 2nd PC and I needed to get my files over to it (Including contacts) and it took me under a 1/2 hour to get it done.

Thanks Laplink!

wait for 3.0 2001-06-05
Help for this product is non-existant. Tech Support reps send you chasing after tech notes. Documentation is completely lacking. Looks like the documentation has not been updated since the last version. The timing on how long this will take is way off. When I first started transferring files, it said that it would take about 3.5 hours. The transfer actually finished just under 24 hours!

... 2002-06-12
I bought this item last year and although it does what I need it to, I found there to also be a few too many glitches with the product.

For example, as a result of my loading PCSync onto my computer, it won't shut down all the way. I must now manually shut it off. I attempted to rectify this situation but found that the technical support folks at PCsync/Laplink are the absolute worst. They have a huge attitude and are very bitter. And to add insult to injury, they don't seem to have very much knowledge in regard to the product. It goes without saying that they were unable to rectify the shutdown issue.

If you don't mind the inconvenience of the shut down issue each time you turn off your computer, then get the product.

A great concept, an awful product 2001-11-18
Well to start with, it just doesn't work.

After installing it and trying for hours to figure out what was
wrong I called tech support and with all of their help, well it
still doesn't work.

So, at the suggestion of tech support, I got the upgrade, installed it, and.... it just doesn't work! (Are we seeing a
pattern here?).

Now, the suggestion is I buy the latest upgrade to 3.0. Do I look that gullible?

Try something else.

How about no stars 2001-10-10
Be careful with this product. I tried to load and run it about a dozen times. It was fine on my new PC but in Windows 98 it kept asking me for a driver that neither the Windows disk, program disk or website had to offer.
Unlike laplink, you cannot run smart exchange on your own computer for backup to a disk drive or IOmega drive. It is totally useless to me and I cannot send it back.
What a rip-off.
By the way,I have 20 years of power PC experience and I ran LapLink for about 10 years. So I am not new to this stuff.

Be carefull!!!! 2001-08-02
First of all, you must have laplink cables in order to make this program work. Off course, they don't tell you that!!!...Finally, you will spend hours downloading the software, because laplink's connection is ver unstable.

This One Lives Up To The Claims! 2001-07-08
So seldom do you find a utility program that is everything it claims to be, that this one was a breath of fresh air. This program is a great exception.

With the simple auto install of the program into both of your computers, you can instantly network them (even over the phone, or direct connection) or transfer individual files or all of them!

This is great when you have purchased a new computer and want to transfer all of your data (or if you have a computer you use at work and one at home and wish to download the info).

Don't worry if your new computer has a higher operating system, as it does not transfer the operating system itself, only the stored data.

It comes complete (only exception being that on some Win 95's, you have to download a winsock from Microsoft's web site for free and the program will prompt you to do this automatically if needed) with a patch cable (both USB and serial interface) that connects the two computers. Once the program is brought up, you have what looks like a split-screen file manager of the entire contents of each computer. You may highlight individual files and click and drag, or click "migrate" which transfers all data (including your preferences, desktop settings, etc) to the new.

I highly recommend this program and cannot say enough about it. From installation to use to uninstall, it was a snap to get my two computers in SYNC with PCSYNC.