Is your laptop stuck in the Stone Age with standard gigabit Ethernet? Or maybe no Ethernet at all? I had that exact problem, and found the solution for just $29 with a simple 2.5G Ethernet adapter. The kicker is that you have to buy the right one.
Most USB-C and Thunderbolt Docks Still Aren’t Multi-Gig
I’ve used Thunderbolt docks for years. I got my first one in 2017 and have been using one ever since. WhileThunderbolt 5 supports 120Gb/s transfer rates, andUSB4 supports 40Gb/s, for some reason, most Thunderbolt or USB4 docks still don’t offer multi-gig networking. They’re stuck with standard 1Gb/s Ethernet ports, instead of moving up to even 2.5Gb/s.
Why 2.5Gb/s Networking Is the Sweet Spot for Your Homelab
It's time for Gigabit to die.
There are some docks out there that have multi-gig networking, but they’re typically quite expensive and the tech hasn’t made its way down to more affordable docks yet. Why? I have no idea. The tech isn’t that expensive, as even cheap USB adapters offer it (as I found out).
Why am I so obsessed with getting multi-gig networking? For starters, more and more ISPs (internet service providers) are moving to multi-gig internet plans. Last year, Google Fiber reworked its tiers to have a 1Gb/s, 3Gb/s, and 8Gb/s plan. AT&T offers up to 5Gb/s, and Xfinity has plans up to 2Gb/s for residential service.
I also have a 2.5Gb/s internal network that I use to transfer data to and from my servers, and I wanted my MacBook (or any laptop I get) to be able to take full advantage of that.
Google Fiber Is Revamping Its Internet Plans
Maybe plans will go to other cities next.
I’m hoping that, as we look toward 2026, more and more manufacturers of premium hubs (like theRazer Thunderbolt 5 dock I just reviewed) will add multi-gig support. Until then, I decided to fix it on my own.
USB Adapters Fix My Biggest Networking Issue
When I found out that the Razer Thunderbolt 5 dock didn’t have multi-gig networking, I set out to find a solution. I expected to find expensive models, but found out that many USB Ethernet adapters are actually quite affordable.
There are, of course, expensive adapters out there. However, I found far cheaper and more affordable 2.5G Ethernet adapters than I did expensive. Stepping up into the 5Gb/s or 10Gb/s networking realmdid increase the cost, but in the beginner-level 2.5G world, things are anything but expensive.
The great part about most of the adapters is they’re universal across all operating systems without having to install drivers. Using a USB Ethernet adapter can also add Ethernet to a computer that didn’t ship with it.
Plugable’s 2.5G Adapter Is Simply Plug-and-Play
I opted forPlugable’s 2.5G Ethernet adapter for a few reasons. Firstly, I really like Plugables products. I’ve used them for years, and they’ve always worked well for me. I assumed this Ethernet adapter would do the same.
The Plugable 2.5G Ethernet adapter was also priced quite well. Coming in at $29, it was right below what I was hoping to pay (under $30) to get multi-gig networking on my MacBook Pro.
This specific Plugable adapter also comes with both a USB-A and USB-C end to use, making it even more versatile. The cable is natively USB-C, and then a USB-C to USB-A adapter is attached to the end so you can plug it into either type of computer.
Once I plugged the adapter into my Mac, it was immediately recognized and started working at full speed. I have the adapter plugged into my MacBook via my Thunderbolt dock, allowing me to use it with a single cable like normal. I have the Thunderbolt dock’s Ethernet cable unplugged, of course, though having both plugged in would give redundancy if needed.
This adapter serves multiple purposes for me. I can bring it with me on vacation if I want to plug up via Ethernet on the road, and I can easily bring it with me to clients' houses when debugging a computer as it lets me bypass a built-in Ethernet jack for troubleshooting.
Plugable 2.5G USB-C/A Ethernet Adapter
- Brand
- Plugable
- Connection
- USB-C/A
Plugable's universal plug-and-play USB-C/A 2.5G Ethernet adapter brings multi-gig networking to any computer you plug it into. Compatible with macOS, Windows, ChromeOS, and even iOS, this Ethernet adapter is perfect for adding Ethernet to a computer that doesn't have it, or simply upgrading your system with multi-gig networking. It also is compatible with everything from Thunderbolt 5 all the way down to standard USB 3.0.
All-in-all, Plugable’s 2.5G Ethernet adapter is something that I’m very happy I bought. It’s budget-friendly at $29, works without drivers, and gives me multi-gig networking on my MacBook, which is everything I was hoping it would do.
If you’re looking for a simple way to add multi-gig Ethernet to your laptop or desktop, I really like Plugable’s solution.
