StarTech USB 3.0 to Gigabit Ethernet NIC Network Adapter (USB31000S)

Pros: Finally, a USB to NIC adapter that handles VLans correctly. Works in XP & 7 with the latest drivers. Contains the AX88179 ChipSet. AX88179_178A_LINUX_DRIVER_v1.2.0_SOURCE.tar.bz2, AX88179_178A_Windows7_32-bit_v1.12.6.0_WHQL.zip, AX88179_178A_Windows7_64-bit_v1.14.6.0_WHQL.zip, AX88179_178A_WinXP_Vista_32bit_Driver_v1.4.0.0_WHQL_20120820.zip. I have tested more than several trying to find one that could be used across platforms that handled 802.1q tags correctly. It is very useful on a laptop that you use for VLan testing and troubleshooting. Makes it easy to jump on a trunk port on a switch or router and use a particular VLan on the trunk. Not to many people see an advantage to that, but I personally wouldn't be without that capability. I have a Netgear G511 (PCMICA) card for my Toshiba that does VLans, but needed one that worked on newer laptops that no longer come with a Card Bus. THIS is it! In Windows, it will also strip tags automagically if you plug it into a untagged port on the same network it is configured and tagged for. Highly recommended for anyone needing a versatile network adapter requiring 802.1q!

Cons: Wasn't free ;-)

Overall Review: Cannot see why it is so hard to find an adapter that is truly VLan 802.1q capable. There are some others that CLAIM 802.1q, but just plain do not work in Windows. Most of those will work in Linux. But in Windows, it seems like you have the advanced configure options to turn VLan Tags on, but there is no entry for the VLan number. What good is that?

Pros: Smoking Fast on the Surface Pro for when you need wired connections. Get Full Gigabit throughput. (110MB+/Sec) Windows 8 installed drivers automatically.

Cons: None

Pros: Works great. Once you install the module you can modprobe it on boot and get instant recognition of the new network device whenever you plug it in.

Cons: Does require a download and compile. Requires kernel source to be on the system.

Overall Review: Grab the linux driver from the manufacturer's site at http://www.startech.com/Downloads and enter USB30001S (double check model on underside). Tested it as working on kernel 3.2.29 and 3.6.0

Pros: Plug and play, literally Very fast

Cons: None that I've seen

Overall Review: Back about 6 months ago I bought a Surface Pro (Microsoft's Windows 8 Pro Tablet) which sadly doesn't have internal Ethernet. As an IT guy, I spend a lot of time supporting other people's networks and needed a way of quickly connecting for tasks like testing, router configuration and troubleshooting. I bought this adapter the same week as my Surface, and I have been extremely pleased with it. It worked "plug and play" right out of the box, which caught me off guard as I had the typical expectation that I would need to spend some time driver hunting (I never use the 3-year-old disk that comes with any new component). I plugged it in, Windows installed the driver (which was clearly included in the OS) and I'm getting 80-90MBytes/sec consistently on large file transfers. It "just works". It's small and convenient to carry around in a small accessory pouch along with power adapters, short network cables and the like. I have not yet tried this on a Mac(book Pro) so I can't speak to Mac compatibility, but I will post an updated review once I've tried it. For me, this has been a great adapter and one I'd recommend to anyone.

Pros: Working flawless. Used it to connect an Ethernet thermal camera and worked without a hitch. Windows 8 even installed the driver automatically via windows update.

Cons: none

Pros: Windows 8 seamlessly installs the driver for this product. Works great on my Thinkpad X1 Carbon with Win8.

Cons: none

Pros: Fast, easy install, works great for the Dell's that don't have gig-a-bit I.E. 17RSE... Have it as my domain adapters, and speed tested it at 120MB Down across a server08 box.

Cons: None

Overall Review: None worked good

Pros: Works with Linux using kernel CONFIG_USB_NET_AX88179_178A

Overall Review: Product is fine