Home > Consumer Reviews > Linksys USB100M EtherFast 10/100 Compact USB Network Adapter

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.