Cable Matters
Cable Matters Plug & Play USB to Ethernet Adapter with PXE
Bottom line: The Cable Matters Plug & Play USB to Ethernet Adapter with PXE ($14.99 on Amazon as of 2026-10-21 14:15 UTC): Full gigabit over USB 3.0 SuperSpeed, 5 Gbps bus headroom so 1000 BASE-T never throttles; main trade-off: no Windows RT support, ruling out those legacy ARM tablets.
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-21. Price and availability subject to change.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ Full gigabit over USB 3.0 SuperSpeed, 5 Gbps bus headroom so 1000 BASE-T never throttles
- ✓ PXE boot support - rare at this price, enables network imaging on port-less laptops
- ✓ MAC address clone via Cable Matters EZ-Dock utility for MAC-filtered corporate networks
- ✓ Driver-free on Chrome OS, macOS 10.8+, and Windows 11 through Vista
Cons
- ✗ No Windows RT support, ruling out those legacy ARM tablets
- ✗ EZ-Dock MAC clone utility is Windows-only; Mac and Chrome users lose that feature
- ✗ Cat 6 Ethernet cable sold separately, adding cost to hit rated performance
- ✗ USB-A only - USB-C laptops need an adapter or hub to connect it
Manufacturer description
Cable Matters built this USB to Ethernet adapter for the moment Wi-Fi stops being an option. It hangs a standard RJ45 port off any USB 3.0 port and negotiates full gigabit, with backward compatibility down to 10/100 Mbps networks for older switches and vintage LAN gear. USB 3.0 SuperSpeed signaling (up to 5 Gbps) means the bus is never the bottleneck at 1000 BASE-T, so large file transfers and video streaming run at wire speed rather than whatever your access point can spare in a dead zone. Installation is driver-free on Chrome OS, macOS 10.8 and up, and Windows 11/10/8/8.1/7/Vista, using…
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored Cable Matters Plug & Play USB to Ethernet Adapter with PXE using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the retro networking cards category. Cable Matters's retro networking cards lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.
Common buyer scenarios for retro networking cards of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to install drivers for this adapter?
No. It uses native driver support in Chrome OS, macOS 10.8 and later, and Windows 11/10/8/8.1/7/Vista. Plug it in and the RJ45 port appears as a network interface. Windows RT is not supported.
Will this actually give me full gigabit speeds?
Yes, on a USB 3.0 port. The adapter supports SuperSpeed USB 3.0 at up to 5 Gbps, well above what 1000 BASE-T needs, and it falls back to 10/100 Mbps on older networks. Cable Matters recommends a Cat 6 cable (sold separately) for best performance.
Does it support PXE network boot?
Yes. Preboot Execution Environment (PXE) is supported, along with Wake-on-LAN, full- and half-duplex Ethernet, crossover detection (Auto MDIX), and backpressure routing. That combination makes it usable for imaging laptops that have no built-in Ethernet port.
Can I clone my computer's MAC address with this?
Yes, on Windows. MAC address pass-through requires the Cable Matters EZ-Dock utility software, which is Windows-only. If your network uses MAC-based access control, that pass-through is what lets a docked laptop keep its original address.
Will it work with my MacBook or Ultrabook?
It works with any computer that has a USB 3.0 (USB-A) port, including MacBooks and Ultrabooks running macOS 10.8 or later. It weighs under 1 ounce for travel. USB-C-only machines will need a USB-C to USB-A adapter or hub.
Key Features
- USB 3 to Ethernet adapter adds network connectivity to a computer with a USB 3.0 port; The USB to Gigabit Ethernet adapter supports SuperSpeed USB 3.0 data transfer rate up to 5 Gbps for 1000 BASE-T network performance with backwards compatibility to 10/100 Mbps networks; Connect the USB computer network adapters with a Cat 6 Ethernet cable (sold separately) for the best performance
- Wireless alternative USB to RJ45 adapter for connecting to the Internet in Wi-Fi dead zones, streaming large video files, or downloading a software upgrade through a wired home or office LAN; USB 3.0 to Ethernet adapter provides faster data transfers and better security than most wireless connections; Ideal solution for replacing a failed network card or upgrading the bandwidth of an older computer
- Driver free installation with native driver support in Chrome, Mac, and Windows OS; The USB to Network Adapter supports important performance features including Wake-on-Lan (WoL), Full-Duplex (FDX) and Half-Duplex (HDX) Ethernet, Crossover Detection, Backpressure Routing, Auto-Correction (Auto MDIX), Preboot Execution Environment (PXE), Supports MAC address pass-through (MAC clone) with the Cable Matters EZ-Dock utility software (Windows)
- Lightweight Ethernet to USB adapter weighs less than 1 ounce for easy portability in your laptop case; Add a standard RJ45 port to your Ultrabook or MacBook with a USB 3.0 port for file transfers, video steaming and gaming with this USB network adapter
- Chrome & Mac & Windows compatible USB lan adapter for Windows 11/10/8/8.1/7/Vista and MacOS 10.8 and up; The USB Ethernet Adapter 3.0 does not support Windows RT
Full Specifications
| Brand | Cable Matters |
|---|---|
| Color | Black |
| Weight | 1 ounce |
| Unit Count | 1.0 Count |
| Connectivity | Wireless, USB, WiFi |
| Model Number | FBA_202013-BLACK |
| Compatibility | Mac |
| Connection Type | Wired |
| Mfr Part Number | FBA_202013-BLACK |
| Compatible Devices | Laptop, Desktop |
| Data Link Protocol | Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, IEEE 802.3, USB |
| Data Transfer Rate | 1 Gigabytes Per Second |
| Hardware Interface | Ethernet, USB |
| Item Dimensions L x W x H | 2.2"L x 1"W x 0.6"H |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 00738435982911 |
| Full listing title | Cable Matters Plug & Play USB to Ethernet Adapter with PXE, MAC Address Clone Support (USB3.0 to Gigabit Network, Ethernet to USB Adapter for Laptop) Supporting 10/100/1000Mbps |
Ready to buy?
Cable Matters Plug & Play USB to Ethernet Adapter with PXE, MAC Address Clone Support (USB3.0 to Gigabit Network, Ethernet to USB Adapter for Laptop) Supporting 10/100/1000Mbps is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.
*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-21. Price and availability subject to change.
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