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User profile for user: gerryfrommahopac
gerryfrommahopac Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

Trying to Eliminate Redundancy

My 9-yr-old daughter needs a better connection from her MacBook Pro to the router than wireless signal is allowing for. I would like to connect an ethernet cord to her MacBook's USB-C port. Apple recommends I plug a Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter ($49) into her MacBook. Then they recommend I plug a Thunderbolt Gigabit Ethernet Adapter ($29) into that. Then they recommend an ethernet cord from there to the modem.

I am not well-versed in this sort of thing, but this seems to me needlessly redundant and costly, especially when, in the old days, computer ports allowed for a cord from the router directly to the computer, with no "middlemen".

Is there such a thing as a CAT5 or CAT6 cord that has an 8P8C (RJ45) on one end, and a Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) on the other? If not, are there quality devices that are direct Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Ethernet, which I could then run a cord from to the router?

Thank you for any thoughts, or alternative ideas, you might offer. It is appreciated.

Mac Pro

Posted on Apr 29, 2020 5:27 PM

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User profile for user: Grant Bennet-Alder
Grant Bennet-Alder
User level: Level 10
133,381 points

Posted on Apr 29, 2020 6:23 PM

Use this one adapter for US$29.95 from the Apple Online store:


https://www.apple.com/shop/product/HJKF2ZM/A/belkin-usb-c-to-gigabit-ethernet-adapter?fnode=3b72c3c22323bd0022ec4589fed34a467dc8f1287e536db5b7cdb082b2ef1a9a0b774944928a072e03835075dbd2dba5f4daa3f88b5397ded37ef940a56d8cac43cb965b1feac915e7a8f647046dd34cc113523bd2f45d180155132b604abdc9


It is called a USB-C adapter, and when you plug it into the ThunderBolt-3 port on a recent MacBook Pro, it uses exactly the subset of signals it needs and just works.


The ThunderBolt-3 <--> ThunderBolt-2 adapter with Thunderbolt-2 to Ethernet would work, but is like cracking nuts with a B-52 bomber.

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User profile for user: Grant Bennet-Alder
Grant Bennet-Alder
User level: Level 10
133,381 points

Apr 29, 2020 6:23 PM in response to gerryfrommahopac

Use this one adapter for US$29.95 from the Apple Online store:


https://www.apple.com/shop/product/HJKF2ZM/A/belkin-usb-c-to-gigabit-ethernet-adapter?fnode=3b72c3c22323bd0022ec4589fed34a467dc8f1287e536db5b7cdb082b2ef1a9a0b774944928a072e03835075dbd2dba5f4daa3f88b5397ded37ef940a56d8cac43cb965b1feac915e7a8f647046dd34cc113523bd2f45d180155132b604abdc9


It is called a USB-C adapter, and when you plug it into the ThunderBolt-3 port on a recent MacBook Pro, it uses exactly the subset of signals it needs and just works.


The ThunderBolt-3 <--> ThunderBolt-2 adapter with Thunderbolt-2 to Ethernet would work, but is like cracking nuts with a B-52 bomber.

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User profile for user: HWTech
HWTech
User level: Level 9
60,650 points

Apr 29, 2020 6:22 PM in response to gerryfrommahopac

For some strange reason Apple doesn't make an actual USB-C to Ethernet Adapter so using the two Apple adapters is the only way to do it with Apple branded products. Other vendors do make USB-C to Ethernet adapters, but our organization has found many of them don't work all that well for all situations.


If you check the online Apple Store you will find that Apple does sell some of these third party USB-C to Ethernet Adapters. I think one of them is a Belkin.

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Trying to Eliminate Redundancy

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