Transcend RDC8K USB 3.1 Type-C Card Reader Review

It’s probably high time USB Type-A standard is dead, but let’s not wish it since we still have a multitude of devices that use the standard. But whatever the case, Transcend is one to offer products that support the newest standards whenever there’s one, and what we have at the moment is the company’s RDC8K – a multi-card reader that comes with USB Type-C connection.

It’s probably high time USB Type-A standard is dead, but let’s not wish it since we still have a multitude of devices that use the standard. But whatever the case, Transcend is one to offer products that support the newest standards whenever there’s one, and what we have at the moment is the company’s RDC8K – a multi-card reader that comes with USB Type-C connection.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Dimensions	67.6mm × 45mm × 15.2mm (2.66" x 1.77" x 0.60")
Weight	32g (1.13oz)
Connection Interface	USB 3.1 Gen 1 / USB 3.0 (backwards compatible with USB 2.0)
Power Supply	DC 5V
Operating Temperature	0°C (32°F)~70°C (158°F)
Supported Cards	SDHC (UHS-I), SDXC (UHS-I), microSDHC (UHS-I), microSDXC (UHS-I), MS (MSXC), CompactFlash (UDMA7)
Certificates	CE, FCC, BSMI
Note	Based on USB 3.1 specification. Speeds may vary due to host hardware, software and usage.
Warranty	Two-year Limited
System Requirements	Desktops or notebook computers with a Type-C port (USB3.0 port needed for USB3.0 performance) and one of the following operating systems:Windows XP Windows Vista Windows 7 Windows 8 Windows 10 Mac OS 10.2.8 or later Linux Kernel 2.6.30 or later

PACKAGING

Transcend ships the RDC8K in a clear-cut blister packaging. It’s not what you’d really call classy, but what can we really expect from a card reader? The RDC8K itself is presented upfront, while a cardboard behind it gives a quick rundown on features and specifications.

Once you cut open the packaging, you’ll be met with the RDC8K itself and a USB Type-C cable, and inside that cardboard fold are some of the paperwork such as a marketing pamphlet, device info, and so forth.

DESIGN

When it comes to design, the RDC8K is pretty much a straightforward device. It’s basically a rectangular box that comes with card slots all around its sides, as well as the USB Micro B SuperSpeed port. That’s it, actually. The RDC8K doesn’t have so much bells and whistles, but that’s pretty much what you’re going to need for a card reader.

Transcend's logo graces the front of the device, and on the flipside there's a sticker sheet that details the certifications, voltages, and so forth. There's also an LED light that blinks when there's an activity on the SD card you're using.

PERFORMANCE

Let’s get real here – the performance of the RDC8K will basically depend on the speed of the card you’re using. But of course, you’re going to need a device with a USB Type-C port to follow the standard.  

TEST SYSTEM SETUP
Motherboard	ECS Z270H4-I
CPU	Intel Core i5 6500
GPU	ZOTAC GTX 1060 6GB AMP
RAM	ADATA 8GB DDR4 2133MHz
Storage	128 GB HyperX Fury SSD + Seagate BarraCuda 4TB + 2TB Western Digital Green HDD + Transcend RDC8K + KINGMAX MicroSD HC Class 10 8GB
PSU	Corsair VS450
Case	Deepcool Tesseract
OS	Windows 10 Pro N
Display	BenQ GW2270H

ATTO Disk Benchmark

ATTO Disk Benchmark is an industry leading benchmark that help measure performance of system storage such as hard drives, solid state drives, RAID arrays, and so forth.

CONCLUSION

The Transcend RDC8K is a straightforward device that brings you instant connectivity where you want it and how you need it. It does its job well, and you won’t have any difficulties when it comes to usage and installation. Plug it in your PC, done. Plug it in a compatible smartphone, instant access. It even comes with a very paltry price-tag of $16.95 – a small price to pay if you simply must have a USB Type-C card reader.