Many of today’s notebook models like the MacBook Air no longer have Ethernet ports, so in the event you might find a need for a wired Internet or a hard LAN connection, you need an adapter for that. For notebooks with a standard USB-A connection LOGiiX has the Piston Connect USB-A 3-Port Hub + 1Gbit Ethernet Adapter, which not only gives you that missing RJ-45 port; you also get as the name suggests, a built-in 3-port USB hub.
It comes in a handy compact, yet sturdy, form factor (135 x 61x 24mm) with a pigtail style format – i.e. with the USB cable (38cm) attached, which you can easily throw into your knapsack and carry around. It also has an on-board LED indicators that give you your connectivity status.
The hub supports the faster USB 3.0 protocol allowing three devices to simultaneously connect at the faster speeds. It’s also backward compatible with older USB devices. Plus to ensure compatibility, drivers are available directly from the LOGiiX website.
The device is compatible with both PCs and Macs. It comes in silver aluminum with a white cable and retails for $49.95 and available from Amazon. An Ethernet cable is not included.
Just Ethernet
If you need Ethernet but don’t feel you have a need for extra USB ports, you can save yourself a few bucks and go with the Piston Connect USB-A 3.0 1Gbit Ethernet Adapter ($34.95). It has the same Ethernet connectivity and LEDs as the previous model, but without the hub, so of course it’s smaller (58 x 25 x17 mm w/ 9 cm cable). Instead of one LED, there are three. Red indicates your USB is connected to a computer; Green indicates your adapter is connected to Ethernet and Blue details your data traffic. There is also an equivalent USB-C model for $39.95.
