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Connecting Laptop to Router - No Ethernet port

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Having recently replaced laptops I now realise that neither have an ethernet port for wired connection to my router.

Should I need/want to do this then I assume I need an adaptor to take an ethernet cable/plug to USB, but which one? USB 3.2 Type-A or USB 3.2 Type-C Thunderbolt 4?

Does it make any difference? 

TIA
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  • Hi Flaneurs

    my laptop (it is a slimline unit) also doesn't have an ethernet port (usually connect by wifi) so it didn't really matter.

    Recently though, I have had need for a ethernet port, so have bought a connector (which ASUS recommended), it is a USB 3.0 type A version, so hopefully will do the job and I will not notice the difference.

    HTH

    s_d
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  • Really depends on what your lap supports, does it have USB3.2 or Thunderbolt 4 ports?
  • Having recently replaced laptops I now realise that neither have an ethernet port for wired connection to my router.

    Should I need/want to do this then I assume I need an adaptor to take an ethernet cable/plug to USB, but which one? USB 3.2 Type-A or USB 3.2 Type-C Thunderbolt 4?

    Does it make any difference? 

    TIA
    What laptop make and model do you have?
  • flaneurs_lobster
    flaneurs_lobster Posts: 6,420 Forumite
    Sixth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    edited 13 December 2022 at 3:23PM

    Really depends on what your lap supports, does it have USB3.2 or Thunderbolt 4 ports?
    Both, hence my question.
  • flaneurs_lobster
    flaneurs_lobster Posts: 6,420 Forumite
    Sixth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    edited 13 December 2022 at 3:03PM
    Finbri said:
    Having recently replaced laptops I now realise that neither have an ethernet port for wired connection to my router.

    Should I need/want to do this then I assume I need an adaptor to take an ethernet cable/plug to USB, but which one? USB 3.2 Type-A or USB 3.2 Type-C Thunderbolt 4?

    Does it make any difference? 

    TIA
    What laptop make and model do you have?
    Acer Swift 3 SF314-511 
  • So this one:

    https://www.acer.com/gb-en/laptops/swift/swift-3-intel/pdp/NX.ABLEK.00N

    Seems to have 2xUSB-A and 1xUSB-C. Personally I would go for the fastest option, so Thunderbolt 4 via the USB-C connector.
    Will you need to be connecting any other external devices that require the USB-C connector?
  • DullGreyGuy
    DullGreyGuy Posts: 18,392 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    The slowest is USB A 3.2 but still sustained transfer will be much quicker than most routers that optimistically with be a 1Gbps connection. 
  • So this one:

    https://www.acer.com/gb-en/laptops/swift/swift-3-intel/pdp/NX.ABLEK.00N

    Seems to have 2xUSB-A and 1xUSB-C. Personally I would go for the fastest option, so Thunderbolt 4 via the USB-C connector.
    Will you need to be connecting any other external devices that require the USB-C connector?
    That's the very kit! 

    Only other thing that I might connect would be a phone, but I have a USB-C to USB-C cable for that. 
  • So would you need connect the ethernet and phone at the same time? If so, perhaps a USB-A 3.2 ethernet adapter would probably make sense.
  • Thanks all, think I'll go with the cheaper USB-A adapter, the limiting factor is the broadband hitting the router rather than any home-side hardware. 
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