Will I actually see that difference though?How much is 5x performance worth to you ?
A USB2 adapter will give you 100Mbps performance. USB3 and TB can both give you 1000Mbps performance.So I can buy a USB ethernet adapter for 16 bucks, or a thunderbolt one for 25.
For 9 dollars difference, am I really going to see a difference?
I suppose just an Ethernet port for internet?What are you connecting to ?
When I connect my MBA to my Gbit switch with the USB version, I get ~20MBps read speed. With the TB version I get >100MBps read speed.
If you want a faster Internet connection, pay the little bit extra and get a USB 3 or Thunderbolt ethernet adapter. They are wayyyy faster than any inexpensive USB 2 ethernet adapter (or USB 2 wireless dongle), because USB 2 is the limiting factor in speed.I suppose just an Ethernet port for internet?
I'm going to buy a used- like new for 25 shipped from amazon but I guess that's what I'll do.If you want a faster Internet connection, pay the little bit extra and get a USB 3 or Thunderbolt ethernet adapter. They are wayyyy faster than any inexpensive USB 2 ethernet adapter (or USB 2 wireless dongle), because USB 2 is the limiting factor in speed.
Startech makes a great USB 3 ethernet adapter, but like most USB 3 things, it's a tad expensive also ($33 or so at Amazon). The Apple Thunderbolt ethernet adapter is actually cheaper ($29 and probably the only Thunderbolt accessory that is less expensive than it's USB 3 equivalent).
Good deal, but if you're talking about the Apple Thunderbolt Adapter beware that there are millions of counterfeits of every Apple product and many of them do not work well. Personally I'd spend the $4 extra to avoid being ripped off. But if it's the Startech USB 3 adapter you're talking about, ignore my warning.I'm going to buy a used- like new for 25 shipped from amazon but I guess that's what I'll do.
No its the real deal, from a reputable seller, the official thing. If it is in fact a ripoff I'll just return it!Good deal, but if you're talking about the Apple Thunderbolt Adapter beware that there are millions of counterfeits of every Apple product and many of them do not work well. Personally I'd spend the $4 extra to avoid being ripped off. But if it's the Startech USB 3 adapter you're talking about, ignore my warning.![]()
Not for surfing/streaming/downloading over the typical home broadband connection, which is slower than a USB connection, no. Maybe a bit less lag on online games or slightly lower CPU usage....? I doubt its going to be dramatic, though.For 9 dollars difference, am I really going to see a difference?
if all you're doing with this is browsing the net, keep in mind the fastest internet available from time warner cable in NYC is 50Mb/s. (and that's a $30 premium over their standard service)I suppose just an Ethernet port for internet?
And to that I would add - for file TRANSFERS between computers. If I'm streaming 1080p video from one computer to another, wireless N is more than adequate. But when I'm copying 50 GB of files over, wired makes a big difference.Not for surfing/streaming/downloading over the typical home broadband connection, which is slower than a USB connection, no. Maybe a bit less lag on online games or slightly lower CPU usage....? I doubt its going to be dramatic, though.
For file sharing between computers on your home network (if they all have 1000mbps ethernet - yes).