Customer Reviews

Cisco-Linksys USB100M EtherFast 10/100 Compact USB Network Adapter

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(15)

 

 

Although this device is a very nifty idea, since this device is only written to the USB 1.1 standard, its top transfer speed will be 12Mbps, which is will only give you 2Mbps more throughput when connected to a 100Mbps network, so beware of that. If it was USB 2.0, then it could more than handle the 100Mbps speed.

I do not recommend this in a setting that is industrial, involves a lot of movement i.e. on a laptop, around kids, or even pets. One wrong pull or tug at the precarious 45 degree angle you have to snap your jack into will render this device totally useless. The small hinged door is poorly engineered and if you have to get an adapter, I recommend the Netgear version B00006CJMP that is not only less expensive, but allows a straight plug in.

I bought the USB100M specifically to connect a Sony SVR-3000 TiVo to my LAN. The drivers are built into the TiVo, and therefore there is nothing to do after plugging it in except restart the TiVo. Worked on the first try!

The flip up part of the adapter does seem a bit fragile (be carefull when plugging in the cable), but I won't be moving mine around now that it's installed. If you're going to be constantly plugging and unplugging the Ethernet cable, you might want a more robust product.

I don't see it listed anywhere in the product description, but it also comes with a short (about 6") USB extension cable that can be used so that the adapter does not block access to an adjacent USB port or if you already have something bulky plugged in to an adjacent USB port.

Five stars when used for a TiVo!

I picked one of these up to serve as the network adapter for my Tivo. It worked right out of the box with no problems, but the connector is just way too sensitive. If the network cable gets moved in any way, the connection is lost. Very annoying.

I'm sure this is a very handy product for some applications, but for more permanent setups I would sooner choose a larger, more stable network adapter.

As I've worked in PC repair, freelance consulting, and network administration, I've learned having the capability to do things like update anti-virus software for a client (usually if an anti-virus program is going to fail, it's on install, or the first update), it's nice to be able to hook into a high speed connection, even if the person's computer doesn't have a network card, or even a modem.

I've also used it to troubleshoot existing connections (this NIC does have LEDs, so it makes troubleshooting pretty easy, although you can still run into 10/100 problems... don't be surprised if your hub is glowing amber instead of green... it means your connection is only running at 10 MBPS versus 100), and bypassing bad network cards.

As it is portable, it is my own personal toolkit which only really consists of stuff I use often enough to justify limited space.

At USB 1, the maximum speed for this product is 12 MBPS...which means if you're going to use it for an internet connection, it probably will do just fine (most internet connections, you're a VERY lucky person to have even a 1 MBPS connection), but for networking, it will run almost 90% slower than a standard network card).

I got a brochure recently for the much awaited 2.0 (which runs at 480 MBPS, although I'm not sure if the 2.0 network card will run that fast. At the very least, I imagine it will be true 10/100), but I'm still not sure when that will be released.

As for this product's durability, it is slightly fragile... but I've had mine for over six months now, and I haven't had a day's problem with it... treat it gently, and it'll last a good long time.

If your in repair, I'd suggest one of these, and a USB drive of at least 128 Megs (I kept tapping out my 64, although 64 is still great for pulling drivers from your working machine to one that probably doesn't connect to the internet... or pulling a sample of a corrupted file back to the shop for analysis.

As others have noticed, fragile design. I broke it, and I was being gentle. Had to replace it with same model, though, since USB to Ethernet adaptors are not easy to come by (TiVo, thanks a lot for making customers go through this).

I long for TiVo's next generation, when I hope they'll have an ethernet plug in the back.

If you're stuck getting this one, like me, be *extremely* careful plugging it in.

Real simple: DONT BUY THIS PRODUCT!! While it works exactly as it says, it WILL fall apart VERY easily and is UNFIXABLE when it does. I bought this item to network my Tivo, and it worked perfectly. This item has these two metal hinges that feel like they are hanging by a thread. The ethernet cable has to be jammed in at the perfect angle, and if even the slightest bit of force is applied, you will have one broken piece of plastic ethernet adapter!!

I did not follow the warnings about the cheapeness of the item, and I paid the price. It broke the SECOND time I handled it, and now I have to replace it. I should have listened. And chances are you wont listen either. But Im telling you this right now: BE SMARTER THEN I WAS!! DONT BUY THIS PRODUCT!!! Buy one of the other products on the market that do EXACTLY what this one does. Spend the extra cash...heck spend double if you have to!! Because this product WILL break for you FAST! It will crumble in your hands like it did for me, and will leave you standing there mouth agape that any company could produce such a cheap product!!

But hey, you're gonna do what you want to do. So what do I care? Buy this...you'll see...and dont say you weren't warned when you are standing there crying with some plastic pieces in your hand!!

This product deserves 0 stars because it doesn't exactly matter how functional this product is when it breaks before you even have a chance to use it.

-propynyl

This product works fine as long as you do not wiggle the ethernet cord. Too much wiggle, and the ethernet cord will pop out, along with breaking the little door that holds the RJ-45 connector on. It is *impossible* to fix.

Another reason not to like this product is that it is USB 1.x, and not USB 2.x. This is OK if you are only working on a 10Mbps (Mega bit per second) ethernet; but most people are now going to 100Mbps (and some to 1000Mbps) where USB1.x is totally antique. USB2.x at least has the speed to work with a viable 100Mbps network.

Having had to replace TWO of these because of the top reason, I cannot recommend this unless you have your PC/Tivo/whatever bolted down, or rack mounted.

I have one of these in my computer junk drawer (a collection of adapters, plugs, gender changers, card readers & cables....sounds a bit like a circus side show but it never fails me!) and have found it useful on several occasions. At this price, it is worth having around.
Basically, you can plug your ethernet cable into the adapter and then insert the plug end into any USB receptacle on your machine (such as on a laptop or a TIVO, etc.). It therefore makes buying (or having) an ethernet card superfluous. It has connection & data transfer LEDs to tell you you've contacted the network, though these are not really necessary. No set up is required either, just plug and go.
As far as I can see, the connection is quite as stable as any hard wired one, and while it's true a USB 2.0-compliant adapter would allow for greater transfer speeds, on our network it has performed flawlessly.

For those looking for a compact solution for networking, this key-fob sized peripheral is for you. Measuring less than 3 inches it's been a handy add-on for the laptop for 10/100 networking capabilities. Installation was a breeze, taking less than 2 minutes... 3 if you want to read the manual.

The attachment mechanism for the network cabling (Cat5) is very secure and doesn't allow easy shifting once engaged. Indicator lights include activity and 10 or 100 Mbps speed indicators. I'm very satisfied thus far.