Why is my transfer slower than the calculator shows?
Several factors affect real-world speeds: drive write speed (often the bottleneck), file size (many small files transfer slower than one large file), system load, cable quality, and whether you're reading or writing. Our estimates assume optimal conditions.
What's the difference between Mbps and MB/s?
Mbps (megabits per second) is how connection speeds are marketed. MB/s (megabytes per second) is how file sizes are measured. Divide Mbps by 8 to get MB/s. So 1 Gbps (1000 Mbps) = 125 MB/s theoretical max.
Why don't I get full USB 3.0 speeds?
USB 3.0 can theoretically hit 625 MB/s, but real-world limits include: the drive itself (flash drives: 100-150 MB/s, SSDs: 400-500 MB/s), protocol overhead (~10-15%), and controller quality. The port is rarely the bottleneck.
Is Thunderbolt faster than USB?
Thunderbolt 3/4 and USB4 share the same 40 Gbps maximum, but Thunderbolt typically achieves higher sustained speeds due to better controllers. For most users, USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) is fast enough and more widely compatible.
Why is WiFi so much slower than the spec says?
WiFi specs are theoretical maximums under perfect lab conditions. Real-world WiFi is affected by distance, walls, interference from neighbors, device antenna quality, and whether you're the only one on the network. Expect 5-20% of advertised speeds.
Does cable length affect transfer speed?
For USB: cables over 3m can cause signal degradation, especially at higher speeds. For Ethernet: Cat5e/Cat6 works up to 100m. For Thunderbolt: passive cables work to 0.8m, active cables extend to 2m. Poor quality cables can bottleneck any connection.