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Cable Matters 2-Pack USB to Ethernet Adapter - Plug & Play with PXE MAC Address Clone Support, USB 3.0 to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter for Laptop, Supporting 10/100/1000Mbps
Cable Matters

Cable Matters 2-Pack USB to Ethernet Adapter

Bottom line: The Cable Matters 2-Pack USB to Ethernet Adapter ($25.99 on Amazon as of 2026-10-21 12:34 UTC): Two adapters per pack, so you can outfit a second laptop or keep a spare; main trade-off: no Windows RT support, per the manufacturer.

$25.99

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Buy on Amazon — $25.99 Compare to similar retro networking cards

By , Founder & Editor-in-Chief · Listing data updated

Mike Perry — Hardware researcher since 2014. For retro PC hardware and period-correct parts, synthesises manufacturer documentation, community compatibility lists and marketplace listings rather than first-hand lab testing. Core beat: GPU performance across gaming, rendering, and local-LLM inference.

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-21. Price and availability subject to change.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • ✓ Two adapters per pack, so you can outfit a second laptop or keep a spare
  • ✓ USB 3.0 at up to 5 Gbps sustains full gigabit 1000BASE-T throughput
  • ✓ PXE preboot boot support, rare at this price and key for imaging benches
  • ✓ MAC address clone via Cable Matters EZ-Dock utility on Windows
  • ✓ Wake-on-LAN, Auto MDIX, and full/half-duplex handled natively

Cons

  • ✗ No Windows RT support, per the manufacturer
  • ✗ MAC clone needs the EZ-Dock utility and is Windows only
  • ✗ Cat 6 Ethernet cable is sold separately
  • ✗ Requires a free USB 3.0 port; USB 2.0 hosts cap well below gigabit

Manufacturer description

Cable Matters bundles two USB 3.0 to Gigabit Ethernet adapters in one package, so you can add a wired RJ45 port to two laptops, an Ultrabook, or a MacBook without touching a driver disc. Each adapter runs at SuperSpeed USB 3.0 rates up to 5 Gbps, enough headroom to sustain full 1000BASE-T throughput, and falls back cleanly to 10/100 Mbps on older switches and hubs. Installation is plug and play, with native driver support in Windows 11, 10, 8/8.1, 7, Vista, macOS 10.8 and up, and ChromeOS. The feature list goes deeper than most budget dongles: Wake-on-LAN, full- and half-duplex operation…

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SpecPicks Verdict

SpecPicks scored Cable Matters 2-Pack USB to Ethernet Adapter 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. Cable Matters lists native driver support in Windows 11/10/8/8.1/7/Vista, macOS 10.8 and later, and ChromeOS, so it is plug and play. The optional EZ-Dock utility is only needed for MAC address clone on Windows.

Will this actually hit gigabit speeds?

Plugged into a USB 3.0 port, yes. The adapter runs at SuperSpeed USB 3.0 rates up to 5 Gbps, well above what 1000BASE-T needs. Use a Cat 6 cable (sold separately) for best results; it also falls back to 10/100 Mbps networks.

Does it support PXE booting for network imaging?

Yes. Preboot Execution Environment (PXE) is listed as a supported feature, along with MAC address pass-through via the Cable Matters EZ-Dock utility on Windows, which is what most imaging and deployment setups require.

Does it work with a MacBook or Chromebook?

Yes, if the machine has a USB 3.0 Type-A port. Cable Matters lists native support for macOS 10.8 and up and for ChromeOS. Laptops with only USB-C ports would need a USB-C hub or adapter.

How many adapters come in the box?

Two. This is the 2-pack listing from Cable Matters, which is why it suits households or offices connecting more than one machine.

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

BrandCable Matters
ColorBlack
Weight1 ounce
Unit Count2.0 Count
ConnectivityWireless, USB, WiFi
Model Number202013-BLKx2
CompatibilityMac
Connection TypeWired
Mfr Part Number202013-BLKx2
Number of Packs2
Compatible DevicesLaptop
Data Link ProtocolEthernet, Gigabit Ethernet
Data Transfer Rate5 Gigabits Per Second
Hardware InterfaceUSB 3.0
Full listing titleCable Matters 2-Pack USB to Ethernet Adapter - Plug & Play with PXE MAC Address Clone Support, USB 3.0 to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter for Laptop, Supporting 10/100/1000Mbps

Ready to buy?

Cable Matters 2-Pack USB to Ethernet Adapter - Plug & Play with PXE MAC Address Clone Support, USB 3.0 to Gigabit Ethernet 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.

Buy on Amazon — $25.99

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-21. Price and availability subject to change.

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Cable Matters 2-Pack USB to Ethernet Adapter - Plug & Play with PXE MAC Address Clone Support, USB 3.0 to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter for Laptop, Supporting 10/100/1000Mbps
$25.99
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