Questions & Answers for Thunderbolt to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter
Thunderbolt to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter
97 Questions + 138 Answers
97 Questions from the Community
-
Can I use the Thunderbolt to Ethernet adapter to add a 2nd net port to my Mini? I want a dedicated line to a storage server plus independent intranet.
I have a RAID server that provides network storage. The bulk of my big file transfers are to the Mac Mini I'm using as a server. I'd like to keep those transfers from using bandwidth on the rest of my network, and I can live with my other computers accessing the RAID server via the Mini. I'd like the Mini to be able to talk simultaneously on both networks at close to full speed. I've seen other adapters that do this, but they cost hundreds of dollars. Will the Apple Thunderbolt to Ethernet adapter meet my goal?
Best Answer:Yes, this works fine and is also a useful solution for turning a Mac mini into a router. There is one caveat, however. Unlike the built-in Ethernet port, the adapter port does not support auto-MDIX, i.e., it is strictly an MDI connection and must be connected to an MDIX port on a switch/router, etc. or you must use a cross-over adapter/cable to swap the pairs.
-
will it work with macbook air mid 2013?
hi, i have 13 inch macbook air mid 2013 version. when i connect it to my hdtv using this connector, i don't get any sound (only picture). is there any particular software/setup i need to do? thanks.
- Asked by Peter H from Cincinnati
- 5/08/2013
- Flag as inappropriate (will it work with macbook air mid 2013?)
AnswerClick on sound properties and change the speaker output. Curious why you are using an ethernet cable on an HDTV. Just buy a thunderbolt to HDMI cable.
- Answered by Steven C from Browns Mills
- 18/09/2013
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (will it work with macbook air mid 2013?)
-
Best Answer:
I used the Thunderbolt to Ethernet adapter and Migration Assisstant between 2012 MBPr and 2008 MBP without any problems - just plug and play :-)
- Answered by Iain M from Lavington
- 5/02/2013
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (Can I use the Thunderbolt to Ethernet adapter w/ migrate assistant from an older mac to a current Macbook Air?)
-
Answer
Yes. OSX 10.7.2 up.
- Answered by Max W from Pacific Palicades
- 18/12/2013
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (Does it work with a 13" macbook air brought in 2012 version OS X 10.8.4?)
Apple Responds
System Requirements: OS X v10.7.4 or Later and Thunderbolt-equipped Mac computer
-
Can the "lighting to USB cable" together with "USB to ethernet connector" allow ipad mini to browse the internet without using Wi-Fi / 3G/4G?
In Japan, most of the hotels only provide ethernet cable (RJ45) for internet connection and seldom with Wi-Fi. How can I use the iPad mini to browse the internet without buying any extra data nano-sim card?
- Asked by Richard H from Wentworthville
- 18/11/2012
- Flag as inappropriate (Can the "lighting to USB cable" together with "USB to ethernet connector" allow ipad mini to browse the internet without using Wi-Fi / 3G/4G?)
-
Will this adapter work with LAN?
I'm visting Japan next month and have been told to get an adapter for my mac book pro for a LAN connection. Will this adapter work?
- Asked by Jamie K from Brooklyn
- 28/05/2015
- Flag as inappropriate (Will this adapter work with LAN?)
AnswerA LAN is a local-area network, therefore, if you are trying to connect to a network where you need to connect via Ethernet and your Mac supports a thunderbolt connection, then this is the adapter for you. :)
- Answered by Sammy H
- 6/12/2015
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (Will this adapter work with LAN?)
-
Answer
Yes, this adapter will work with any Mac with a Thunderbolt port. Be careful not to mistake the MiniDisplayPort on Macs from a couple years ago with the Tunderbolt port, as the MiniDisplayPort is not compatible with this product.
- Answered by Jeffrey Y from Westmont
- 14/06/2012
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (Will this work with older Thuderbolt equipped machines?)
-
Best Answer:
To use this Thunderbolt to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter simultaneously with a video adapter such as the MiniDisplayport to VGA Adapter, you would need either two built-in Thunderbolt ports, such as the new 15" MacBook Pro with Retina Display, or a Thunderbolt hub, or another external device that has more than two Thunderbolt ports that you could use as a hub.
- Answered by Jeffrey Y from Westmont
- 14/06/2012
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (Can the Thunderbolt to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter be used simultaneously with the Mini DP to VGA adapter?)
-
Can I use this with MacBook Pro 2011?
- Asked by Jose Antonio S from Tijuana
- 12/06/2012
- Flag as inappropriate (Can I use this with MacBook Pro 2011?)
AnswerYes, this adapter will work with all sizes of the 2011 MacBook Pro, along with every Mac with a built-in Thunderbolt port.
- Answered by Jeffrey Y from Westmont
- 14/06/2012
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (Can I use this with MacBook Pro 2011?)
-
Do you need a special internet connection to use this or is it just like the USB ethernet adapter?
I have a MacBook Air and the USB ethernet adapter. I'm getting the new Macbook Pro with Retina display. So would this be a good idea to buy this adapter to Thunderbolt instead of using the the USB adapter? Would I get a better connecting? Would I need a special internet connection or will any due?
- Asked by Chase H from Saint Marys
- 12/06/2012
- Flag as inappropriate (Do you need a special internet connection to use this or is it just like the USB ethernet adapter?)
Best Answer:This product will work exactly like the USB 10/100 Ethernet Adapter, but instead use your Thunderbolt port. It does not need any special type of internet connection, just standard RJ-45 ethernet cabling. It will work with any new Mac with a Thunderbolt port, along with any Mac that has a Thunderbolt port (excluding MiniDisplay port).
This adapter will have much faster speeds than the prior USB version because it is Gigabit (10/100/1000 vs 10/100 for the USB Ethernet Adapter). As long as you have a Thunderbolt port, I would highly recommend using this one if you are debating between the two.- Answered by Jeffrey Y from Westmont
- 14/06/2012
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (Do you need a special internet connection to use this or is it just like the USB ethernet adapter?)
-
To connect imac to local network is gigabit ethernet better than using a thunderbolt
If I have a NAS would i rather use the gigabit ethernet from my new Imac than the thunderboldt with an ethernet adapter, I assume yes
- Asked by Erich H B
- 5/12/2012
- Flag as inappropriate (To connect imac to local network is gigabit ethernet better than using a thunderbolt)
AnswerThere's really no difference.
Either way you will be connecting via a Gigabit ethernet connection.- Answered by Matthew T
- 15/12/2012
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (To connect imac to local network is gigabit ethernet better than using a thunderbolt)
-
Can this adapter be daisy chained to my computer via a thunderbolt external hard drive?
I have a Macbook Air with only one Thunderbolt port which is currently used for an external Thunderbolt hard drive. Can I connect this adapter to the Thunderbolt port on my external hard drive to have a wired internet connection at the end of the daisy-chain?
- Asked by Mark W from San Francisco
- 25/01/2015
- Flag as inappropriate (Can this adapter be daisy chained to my computer via a thunderbolt external hard drive?)
Answeryes
- Answered by Andreas G
- 17/04/2015
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (Can this adapter be daisy chained to my computer via a thunderbolt external hard drive?)
-
802.11q
Does this device support 802.11q Vlan tagging in both OSX and Windows (bootcamp)????
- Asked by John K from De Pere
- 27/03/2013
- Flag as inappropriate (802.11q)
-
Can I plug in another computer in the thunderbolt ethernet adapter? Ex, can I plug in a Blue Ray player with internet in the adapter?
Use it like an extra internet connection.
- Asked by Miguel R from Orlando
- 30/07/2012
- Flag as inappropriate (Can I plug in another computer in the thunderbolt ethernet adapter? Ex, can I plug in a Blue Ray player with internet in the adapter?)
Best Answer:Probably.
But, an ethernet hub would be far more practical. (an extra 4 or 8 ports without keeping your computer powered up to route enet to a blue ray player)- Answered by Chris S from San Jose
- 5/09/2012
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (Can I plug in another computer in the thunderbolt ethernet adapter? Ex, can I plug in a Blue Ray player with internet in the adapter?)
-
Answer
You can't. Use a thunderbolt to hdmi cable to do this.
- Answered by Katrin S from Willetton
- 5/05/2016
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (can i use thunderbolt to gigabit ethernet adapter to connect macbook to tv?)
-
Will it work with parallels windows virtual machine ?
I am using parallels to run windows as a virtual machine in a macbook air.
using this adapter will it be possible the virtual machine to see it as an ethernet port ?
Thank you- Asked by Achillefs P
- 15/06/2012
- Flag as inappropriate (Will it work with parallels windows virtual machine ?)
Best Answer:Once Apple updates and re-releases the Thunderbolt driver for the gigabit adapter, it will be a supported ethernet interface on the Mac and will support passing that through to Parallels and VMs hosted there.
- Answered by Jay D from San Marcos
- 17/06/2012
- Flag as inappropriate Answer (Will it work with parallels windows virtual machine ?)
-
-
Answer
Your current iMac should already have gigabit Ethernet installed in it. So using this Gigabit Thunderbolt adapter shouldn't increase your speed since both are still using Gigabit Ethernet. Based on reviews from other sites it might actually be slightly slower than the built in Ethernet and use more CPU power.