StarTech USB 3.0 to Gigabit Ethernet NIC Network Adapter - USB to RJ45 for 10/100/1000 Network

The built in Ethernet adapter on my almost 10-year old Lenovo ThinkPad W700 get fried by lightning a couple years ago. Fortunately, the Wi-Fi adapter was not damaged, so I still had Internet and network connectivity, but at Wi-Fi speeds. That was not at problem until the W700 was replaced about 18 months ago by a Lenovo ThinkPad P71 and the Lenovo W700 was moved upstairs. Our house has a metal roof and the Wi-Fi throughput is significantly degraded in that area of our house.Not a big problem for Internet usage but moving large files, doing backups, or syncing files between the two-system using our LAN became painfully slow. So much so that I started using the old 'sneaker net' approach and began moving files and data back and forth with thumb drives. My W700 is from the days before USB 3.0 and only has native USB 2.0 ports. USB 2.0 thumb drives is certainly faster than weak Wi-Fi but still relatively slow, and always cumbersome.The first thing I did was obtain a StarTech USB 3.0 ExpressCard. The USB 3.0 ExpressCard has worked perfectly. Having one USB 3.0 port means I can use USB 3.0 Thumb drives. USB 3.0 connectivity at both ends of the LAN made moving larger amounts of data faster but I still had the hassle of physically carrying thumb drives back and forth, and up and down stairs, between the two Lenovo systems. I tried a USB 2.0 ethernet adapter, but speeds were about the same as Wi-Fi.Then I tried the StarTech USB 3.0 Ethernet adapter plugged into the StarTech USB 3.0 ExpressCard. I had no idea if this would work and crossed my fingers as I rebooted Windows 10. And work it did, and very well I might add. Now I can once again move large blocks of data such as 200 or 300 15mb-18mb photo files between my two Lenovo laptops in a minute or less. And one of my backup strategies of syncing files between the two systems is now much quicker.

Like premiere LG (Lucky Goldstar) products in 1986, I DON'T laugh at the StarTech dot com name! This unit ran AT 1gbs out of the box on an eight year old, but upgraded Dell laptop! Oh, I've been a StarTech fan for YEARS now, AND they're making enterprise gear now! I almost want to unretire! LOL! :)It ran right out of the box, no drivers needed, then updated itself in 30 seconds. The laptop achieved >80mbps UPLINK speed in testing, that will work with a webcam.AND a two year warranty right out of the box. I have two more pieces on my wishlist list, but it's actually a next to buy list. Yes. You want it. :)

Despite the fact that my laptop, a Fujitsu Lifebook U904 has a ethernet port built in, a feat for a ultrabook, I didn't want to risk breaking it. It's one of those slide out and pop open gizmos that seems like it would break, then cost a fortune to fix. I'd much rather carry around a dongle than risk breaking anything.Initially, when I began researching USB to ethernet adapters, I found many of them suffered from poor performance, either slow transfer rates, despite "gigabit" connectivity, overheating, and an overall sense of unreliability. From that, I knew I wanted a few things:1. a USB 3.0 adapter, to achieve gigabit2. an adapter sold or supported by (or warrantied by, really) a reputable company3. something with it's own processor, so it's not sapping off mine.I'm unsure if you've ever heard of StarTech... basically they sell cables for specialized uses. Maybe you need a HDMI to USB cable, for example, they'd likely have it. They're very good at what they do, and I knew this would be a good product just by the brand name.I've used it now for a few months, on a regular basis, and have had zero issue. It's actually saved me a few times, when I needed to do some advanced troubleshooting, packet sniffing, or bridging connections. It gets warm, but not hot. Transfer speeds are consistent, even over USB 2 (where you'll only get 100 meg, or I do, anyway).The only fault I find in it is the StarTech website. It's somewhat difficult finding the proper drivers for this model. There are a few variations of it. So be sure to look at the packaging or the little sticker on the back when you go to update drivers. You may end up with the wrong ones.

Works ok!

The chipset in this adapter has driver support in most systems that include USB type C. I've used it with Windows devices, multiple Linux distros, and Android smartphones and tablets. I've even used it on fresh Windows installs where the base OS didn't have drivers for the built-in networking but connected fine with this adapter! Should work fine with new Apple computers as well, but I don't know about support on their USB C mobile devices.

The adapter is a great hack for devices, even PCs, when there is no physical ethernet port available. I do not use WIFI in my home, so this is vital to my hardwired network for connectivity. I use it daily and have NOT had any issues with the plug and play ability: Works great on my Amazon fires, Android phone, and a 10 year old Macbook Pro. Definitely worth the money.