Basically, I now realize how slow USB is compared to ethernet. I was pretty happy with all the other systems I tried until I discovered how simple and fast ethernet was.

Advantages: You don't have to run a separate program to transfer files; all the files on your connected PC are, in effect, already there on your other PC as soon as you plug the cable in. In fact, you never actually need to physically transfer a file in order to use it on the other PC. It just made my work so much simpler.

I fell into the trap of thinking "well I've got these USB ports so why spend aditional money". I also thought ethernet was something for network geeks and had no place on my desk. Just wanted to share what I've learned since.