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The Asus Transfer Express is an interesting device which possesses unique features that may be desirable to a number of people. Asus has glued together functionality from individual devices and software tools into a single cross-platform control hub, and the solution is a good one overall.
I like the PC-to-PC and PC-to-Android keyboard and mouse sharing. The overall usage experience was hassle-free; the shared keyboard and mouse was great for controlling multiple PCs simultaneously, and I was even able to play real PC games through my Nvidia Shield tablet. An improvement here would be the option for a more seamless PC-to-Android keyboard/mouse switch than a hotkey.
Audio Playback mode is, in theory, a smart way of playing your handheld device's music through PC speakers. However, my testing delivered intermittent popping during playback (through very cheap speakers, I might add) that made the hassle of manually switching speaker connectors worth it over the Transfer Express alternative. Android File Transfer didn't seem to be any different to a standard USB connection.
PC-to-PC monitor modes worked well. The mirror and extended modes could be particularly useful to owners of a single-input, G-Sync monitor who do not want the fuss of continually switching cables. The Extended mode makes it possible for laptop with a single video output to be used with more than one additional monitor. This is a big positive for multi-tasking users.
File Synchronisation was one of the Transfer Express' defining functions. While there are plenty of methods for transferring files between systems, Asus' solution is a simple one-click process that results in speedy transfers thanks to 5Gbps USB 3.0. I would like to see even more features provided with the synchronisation mode, such as the ability to sync multiple folders simultaneously and to choose from a user-defined ‘commonly synced' list.
The biggest adjustment that I would like to see on the Asus Transfer Express is functionality with other vendors' hardware when the device bundle hits retailers in the coming months. If an Asus motherboard is deemed a requirement for the primary PC, that is understandable, but forcing both PCs to be Asus hardware seems unnecessary and very restrictive. After that update, some form of wireless connectivity (namely NFC/Bluetooth and WiFi) would be the next improvement, and perhaps even integration into an Asus laptop.
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KitGuru says: Transfer Express is Asus' unique take on a cross-platform control hub. It won't be for everybody, and some enhancements are needed to improve its desirability, but we must praise the successful solutions to a number of problems that Asus has provided by way of a diminutive box.
