MacBook Pro 14/16 ain't so Pro without Ethernet dongle minimally ...

[LIVEFRMNYC]

I’m not sure how this comment is supposed to be useful. Different folks have different use cases, and when troubleshooting networks, it’s always preferable to use ethernet. Updating firmware or adjusting settings is a bad time to have a wifi glitch. That’s why folks want the connectors built in.

The majority of users have no need for a built in ethernet port, especially since a dongles/hubs can do the same tasks.

If HDMI dongles weren't so untrustworthy, I believe Apple would have left that port out too. But most people don't have issues with external ethernet.

And although I would have loved to have at least one USB-A port, adapters, dongles, and hubs have been so readily available and used by consumers, it actually makes sense for Apple to leave it out.

Now would I like a 10GBe port? YES!!!! Especially since finding a decent 10GBe dongle/hub is near impossible. And my initial argument was that anything less wouldn't make much sense. Wifi on 5ghz pretty much reaches almost identical speeds as 1GBe concerning internet speeds, which is basically what most care about with 1GBe. 2.5GBe is a decent jump in file transfer speed, but nothing to brag about and not even close to 10GBe speeds, and 2.5GBe dongles/hubs that work flawless are easy to find. A 10GBe port would be the only one that makes sense IMHO.

 

[profcutter]

And yet, folks who work daily with networking by a huge majority prefer Ethernet. It’s true that there are many ways in which wifi has replaced Ethernet for the consumer, but simply saying “use a dock” doesn’t really serve the same purpose. Will we ever get Ethernet back on a MBP? I highly doubt it, much like I doubt we’ll ever see usb A again without a dongle. Is that unfortunate? Yep.

 

[JPack]

If Apple thought Wi-Fi was the way to go, why offer wired Ethernet on iMac?

For MacBook Pro, it’s clear Apple faced physical size limitations and had to leave out RJ45.

 

[MK500]

Ignore my prior claims about 8153 chipset.

My apologies. Detailed explanation in edit of original post.

 

[mikeboss]

in my experience the RTL8156(B) (2.5GbE) based dongles work way better: post in the other thread -> #63
also, I'm getting reliable 940 Mbits/sec when testing with iPerf on a 1Gb network.
older 2.5GbE dongles based on RTL8156 seem to to be a bit problematic. the newer RTL8156B based ones work fine for me.

 

[MK500]

in my experience the RTL8156(B) (2.5GbE) based dongles work way better: post in the other thread -> #63
also, I'm getting reliable 940 Mbits/sec when testing with iPerf on a 1Gb network.
older 2.5GbE dongles based on RTL8156 seem to to be a bit problematic. the newer RTL8156B based ones work fine for me.

Thank you! I ordered the Alxum USB-A model with RTL8156B that @rajs recommended. I sometimes use it with a hub or on my iPad with the camera kit; so I can't easily use USB-C.

I'll let everyone know how it works on MBP and also iOS devices.

It is super annoying that Apple managed to screw up the driver. Especially since it still works fine in current iOS. This is one reason why dongles suck. Sooooo many dongles. smh

 

[tmoerel]

in my experience the RTL8156(B) (2.5GbE) based dongles work way better: post in the other thread -> #63
also, I'm getting reliable 940 Mbits/sec when testing with iPerf on a 1Gb network.
older 2.5GbE dongles based on RTL8156 seem to to be a bit problematic. the newer RTL8156B based ones work fine for me.

I agree. I am using one of these on my 2021 16" MBP M1 Mac connected on USB-C and then via CAT5e directly to another one on my NAS (connected on the NAS via USB3) and I am getting 2.5Gbps as advertised.

 

[yurkennis]

2.5GBe dongles/hubs that work flawless are easy to find

Bit offtopic in this thread, but what are 2.5GBe dongles that are reliable enough with Apple Silicon MacBooks (eg 2021 generation)?

 

[mikeboss]

Bit offtopic in this thread, but what are 2.5GBe dongles that are reliable enough with Apple Silicon MacBooks (eg 2021 generation)?

USB-C to 2.5G Ethernet Adapter DUB-E250

World’s smallest 2.5 Gigabit USB adapter for lightning-fast connections without having to install a new network card

www.dlink.com

 

[MK500]

The Alxum $30 USB-A 2.5Gbps adapter is working great today so far. Survives sleep without a problem. No driver necessary. Not too bulky; and aluminum casing looks to be engineered for good cooling.

I'm getting full 1Gbps line speed (940Mbps real world) on both my MacBook Pro 14 and also my iPad and iPhone. It seems to be using about half the CPU as the RTL8153 based dongles.

I would have to disconnect some equipment to test at 2.5Gbps; so that will have to wait for another day. Seems like RTL8156(B) is definitely the way to go.

EDIT: I tested a 2.5Gbps link with iperf3 to my 10Gbps equipped 2018 Mac Mini (Netgear pro switch between) and got 2.35Gbps. I assume this is a normal speed (2.5 minus overhead). I haven't tested 2.5Gbps in the past so don't have anything to compare it with.

Really loving this little Alxum! It also survives shutdown/restart as was asked elsewhere.

Alxum 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet Adapter, 2.5 Gigabit Network Adapter with RTL8156B up to 2.5G 2500Mpbs, Backward Compatible on 1Gbps/100Mbps, Aluminum Case

Alxum USB 3.2 Gen1 Type-A to 2.5Gbps Ethernet Converter

www.amazon.com

 

[hajime]

Agreed, Apple should offer a thunderbolt 1GbE or even 2.5GbE adapter. On my Intel MBP 13", I had trouble using my NAS without the fans going at 100% using a Realtek Ethernet adapter, and was limited to around 700Mb/s on Big Sur. Luckily not as much of a problem with my M1 Max but I actually just ended up getting a Thunderbolt 2 to Thunderbolt 3 adapter and the Thunderbolt 2 to 1GbE adapter. Cost about £40~ on amazon but has worked flawlessly for me.

Why not as much of a problem with your M1 Max? Something special in the M1 Max hardware?