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.

I'm using this to provide an additional Ethernet adapter to a Vmware virtual machine. No problems, it just works. I've used other Star Tech products in the past and have never had any issues with them.

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.

Okay temporary sniffer for a security onion set up. The USB itself feels solid and works amazing at normal operation.In my case I’m using it as a sniffer to capture packets for the security onion. It works but not reliably, it will once in a while have issues being detected by the onion.If your comfortable constantly checking the inbound traffic rate to make it isn’t at 0 then this will certainly do!

Using this in various MacBooks on a Dante network for audio purposes. Immediately recognized by network.

I've had this thing for over 10 years now (purchased in 2014). For nearly the last 3 years it's been constantly connected to my laptop which rarely moves.

When stuck on clean installing OS and driver issues like wifi or lan come up this may save your day.Connection and speed as expected from this company always great products.Plug and play windows 11 no drivers needed and onto the network you go!

I have been using this adapter for years and it performs flawlessly on on every lap top I own from Win7 to Chrome on a Chromebook. I love the metal enclosure that I can use with a ground strap to send those winter static zaps elsewhere. I bought more spares in case it goes out of production. I doubt my winter static zaps will ever go end of life.