com USB 3.0 to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter - 10/100/1000 NIC Network Adapter - USB 3.0 Laptop to RJ45 LAN (USB31000S)

This is a great adapter and does exactly what it says on the tin. Hooked up to a USB3 port it provides full Gigabit Ethernet connectivity. It is also fully backwards compatible with USB2 although you won't achieve gigabit speeds hooked up to a USB2 port. Build quality is great, as expected from a StarTech product. Amount of USB cable just enough to not make it 'large' to carry around with you. They have two options, this one which is JUST a gigabit Ethernet to USB3 adapter, and another which is slightly more expensive and also includes a USB port which might be useful if you have only one USB port on the device, like the Microsoft Surface. Only downside is it is delivered in a fairly large box, so you need to be in to receive it from the postman as they can't post it through the letterbox. Given the size of the adapter there is surely something they can do to slim the packaging down a bit. It is not enough to lose a star but just something to know about before you buy. I've had no issues with this, works as expected and good value for money. Will update this review if anything changes.

This is the fastest USB network adaptor for the Macbook Air, which mine is the mid-June 2013 model 13" with Mac OS 10.8.4. You just need to install the MAC driver from the CD or Download the driver from Startech's website, install and restart, plug it in then you're good to go! As there's no RJ-45/Ethernet/Network port on a Macbook Air, you have three products in order to use an Ethernet RJ-45 cable with the Macbook Air. This is because there are only 2 USB (3.0) ports and 1 Thunderbolt port on the Macbook air. If you look at the Apple Store, they sell two types of Ethernet adaptor; one is for the Thunderbolt port (up to 1000BASE-T) and one for the USB. The trouble is if you want to use the Thunderbolt port to hook up to a external display, then you're stuffed. So you have to go for a USB adaptor. But the other problem is that Apple only do a USB 2 version of their Ethernet adaptor which means you'll be restricted on bandwidth or speed, which will only support up to 10/100BASE-T speeds. If you need the fastest 1000BASE-T speeds, then this Startech adaptor is the only choice (for only a couple quid more at that) than Apple's slower USB version! Oh and this also comes in white!

After 10 months of flawless daily operation and enjoying the 1Gb/s that really makes a difference on a 200Mb/s Internet connection, the device broke and from then on was not recognised any more by the kernel driver under Ubuntu 12.04 LTS. I thought I was too late for an RMA and applied for it rather late. The only thing they asked me to do as proof was to try the device under another operating system, where of course it did not work either. Once acknowleged they send you an RMA reference number together with information how to return the broken device with free shipping. After a couple of weeks I received an email that they would send me a replacement, which arrived some two weeks later. I still need to see how long this one will last and might need to adjust rating. I gave 4 stars because I don't really depend on this device. When I would really depend on the device I would reduce the rating to 3 stars because of the rather slow RMA process and shipping. So if this device would be your only NIC then I you rather look for a more reliable option.

Absolutely brilliant these usb nics. They’ve been used to expand out capacity in my home network lab so my promox hosts can have network resilience. No drivers needed to get working. Detected and compatible by both windows server os and proxmox editions. Been running for well Over a year with no issues so clearly very well Designed and durable.

Got me out of a hole.

Highly recommended. + About x8 greater bandwidth than with USB2 adapters, and x20 to x30 than Wifi. Performance comparison (based on an Apple MacBook Air 6,2 connected to a symmetric 1Gbps link) - USB 3 (StarTech): measured download 615Mbps / upload 837Mbps - USB 2 (generic Apple): 94.3Mbps down / 94.9Mbps up - Wifi (802.11n): 31.6Mbps down / 31.2Mbps up But obviously you will only notice the difference if your network connectivity exceeds those values. + Very stable: I expected potential problems but this has been rock solid for the past 2 months (daily use). Driver installation is quick and painless. - More bulky than the generic Apple branded (but the Apple one is only USB2!) and not as stylish. But overall a recommended purchase... as long as you network connectivity is sufficient to exploit the added performance.

Had to buy this as I found out that my Dell XPS 15 was only connecting at 100mb as opposed to the 1GB it should do. No help fro Dell so this product was the answer. Works OK but I have to check that it's connected at 1GB every time I plug it in as sometimes it will only connect at 100mb. I don't know if this is a flaky USB connection on my Dell or if the device is flaky. I will give the benefit of doubt to the StarTech and presume my Dell is a bit dodgy. Does what it's supposed to do. Connects at 1GB via a USB 3 socket although the description I am looking at does not say gigabit, it says 10/100/100. Oops. I think the last 100 should be 1000. Very good product.

Works Well. No Issues so far.