Need a Recommendation: Ethernet Adaptor for Macbook Pro (12,1)

[Ken Owen]

My girlfriend has a job that is requiring her to do many Zoom meetings, and the company's tech guy has asked the everyone connect directly to their router and not use WiFi when doing video conferencing.

She has a Macbook Pro (Retina, Early 2015, 12,1) which has two (2) Thunderbolt 2 ports and two (2) USB 3.0 ports. Can someone supply a recommendation on what type of adaptor I should get; Ethernet -> [Thunderbolt, USB], and/or which is preferred and why?

Thoughts and recommendations appreciated in advance.

Thanks,

-Ken

 

[robvas]

The Apple ThunderBolt Gigabit Ethernet adapter is a good one. Apple also makes a USB one (it's only 100mb, but should be fine for your home internet connection). They are $29 wherever you can buy Apple products.

I also have a Belkin and Plugable brand USB Gigabit Ethernet adapters that were even cheaper, and work great.

 

[justashooter]

Personally I would tell tech guy to go pound sand. Is she having any problems now? Is she working from home and what speeds are you getting? 4K streaming only requires 25-30 Mbps and zoom meetings are way lower resolution than that. I would be real inclined to just continue what she is doing if she has no problems.

But that's just me

 

[nothingtoseehere]

Apple Thunderbolt to Ethernet works fine also with me on the same device. But in general, everything should work - just decide which port you can spare.
Don't know if it is worth to mess with the tech guy on that issue.. difficult to judge from outside

 

[Ken Owen]

I went ahead and ordered the Apple Thunderbolt to Ethernet adaptor just so we could say we did what the tech guy wanted, but I'm with you; I doubt they'll see a difference, so I'll just add the adaptor to my collection.

Thanks to all,

-Ken

 

[bernuli]

I went ahead and ordered the Apple Thunderbolt to Ethernet adaptor just so we could say we did what the tech guy wanted, but I'm with you; I doubt they'll see a difference, so I'll just add the adaptor to my collection.

Thanks to all,

-Ken

It is worth having the adapter.

Network latency should be lower when hard wired.

I have heard it is possible for the wifi spectrum getting saturated if there are other peeps in the area that insist on streaming 4K over wifi, though I have not witnessed this.

I carry the Apple TB to Ethernet adapter in my bag. However in the office I use a Thunderbolt Dock which has Ethernet plugged in as well a collection of USB hard drives (via additional USB hub) and USB keyboard.

 

[robvas]

Wired > wireless

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

Personally I would tell tech guy to go pound sand. Is she having any problems now? Is she working from home and what speeds are you getting? 4K streaming only requires 25-30 Mbps and zoom meetings are way lower resolution than that. I would be real inclined to just continue what she is doing if she has no problems.

But that's just me

Ever had to provide support for a large number of people? I'm guessing the company's "tech guy" spends much of his time troubleshooting employees home wifi issues and has just declared for people to do wired instead. I don't blame him. Not every home is blanketed in mesh wifi. I can imagine people sitting far away from their poorly positioned wifi router and having issues that this tech guy has to spend time figuring out.

 

[jerryk]

I agree with the tech guy. A wifi connection has a whole set of problems and limitations that go away when you plug in an Ethernet cable. No more outside interference issues.

Here are an adapter I have. I works well

UGREEN USB-A to Ethernet Adapter, 10/100 Mbps Network Adapter, RJ45 Wired LAN Internet Adapter for Laptop PC Compatible with Nintendo Switch MacBook Chromebook Surface Windows MacOS Linux Black

Description UGREEN USB 2.0 to 10/100Mbps Ethernet Network Adapter, gives you true 10/100 Mbps network access and connects your PC to any Ethernet network through any USB port. Hot swappable and compatible with both USB 1.1 and 2.0 hardware, it works conveniently with desktop and notebook PCs. Spe...

www.amazon.com

 

[robvas]

Ever had to provide support for a large number of people? I'm guessing the company's "tech guy" spends much of his time troubleshooting employees home wifi issues and has just declared for people to do wired instead. I don't blame him. Not every home is blanketed in mesh wifi. I can imagine people sitting far away from their poorly positioned wifi router and having issues that this tech guy has to spend time figuring out.

One time we had a lady that worked from home. She kept calling us and asking if the server was down.

I tried to remote into her laptop. Wouldn't connect.

"Oh, I'm out on my deck, the wireless signal is really bad out here."

😡🤯