Note: The links in this post are affiliate links. This story has been updated since its original publication to clarify issues of USB speed, add an alternative product from Amazon, and to add a mention of Apple's Thunderbolt adapter.Click here to sign up for my free Rick’s Tech Tips Newsletter! (If you need gigabit speeds and can't wait for a bargain USB 3.0 adapter, you should opt for the Thunderbolt one for now.)īut, heck - for around $7, the Monoprice or I/O Crest dongles are worth adding to your toolkit for those times when the only connection available is via a good ol' wired network.
One thing to note, though: the USB adapters listed here (including Apple's) are rated at USB 2.0 speeds, so they max out 100Mbps - even, apparently, when attached to the faster USB 3.0 ports on the latest 2012 MacBooks. It's currently priced at $7.90, but that includes free shipping for Amazon Prime subscribers. If you're a die-hard Amazon customer, try the I/O Crest SY-ADA24005 USB 2.0 Ethernet Adapter. No drivers are needed - just plug the adapter into your Air's USB port, and plug the available Ethernet cable in to the adapter.
Monoprice, the Internet's best-kept secret of cheap cables and the like, sells a USB to Ethernet dongle for $6.64, nearly $22 cheaper than Apple's comparable product. Thankfully, there are plenty of cheaper USB to Ethernet adapter solutions out there. However, each of them will set you back $29. Without an Ethernet port, the Air is a wireless-only machine, forcing users to find a Wi-Fi connection, even if there's a more stable wired network available.Īpple offers two workarounds: a USB Ethernet adapter and (new for 2012) a Thunderbolt Ethernet adapter. Although the slim, ultralight profile of the MacBook Air is impressive, owners must sacrifice a few features PC owners take for granted, like an optical drive and an Ethernet port.
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