StarTech USB-C to GbE Ethernet Adapter, 10/100/1000Mbps, USB-A Dongle
Bottom line: The StarTech.com StarTech USB-C to GbE Ethernet Adapter is a specs-and-price decision rather than a crowd-consensus one in the retro networking cards category. Check the specification table below against one or two close alternatives — on price and spec fit, not on star ratings.
As an Amazon Associate, SpecPicks earns from qualifying purchases. Full disclosure →
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ Backed by StarTech.com's warranty and support channels
Cons
- ✗ Check the listed dimensions, connectors and platform compatibility against your setup before ordering
- ✗ Price, stock, shipping and returns are set by the retailer and may have changed since this page was last updated
Manufacturer description
Add a Gigabit network port to your computer, using a USB Type-C connection. The RJ45 port supports multiple speeds (10/100/1000 Mbps) and is fully compatible with Cat5 (and higher) cabling. Share or receive files over a network, access network storage/backup, and stream online content while reducing wait times and slowdowns. This adapter supports both current and legacy Ethernet networks down to 10Mbps, making it ideal for providing a reliable network connection almost anywhere whether at home, work or while traveling. The USB-C host connector with attached USB-C to USB-A dongle offers…
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored StarTech.com StarTech USB-C to GbE Ethernet Adapter using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the retro networking cards category. StarTech.com'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.
Key Features
- USB-C NETWORK ADAPTER: Add an Ethernet port to a USB-C or USB-A computer supporting up to Gigabit speeds with auto-negotiation for 10/100/1000Mbps BASE-T Networks; RJ45 Network port features link status LEDs for easy troubleshooting and minimal downtime
- THOUGHTFUL DESIGN: Attached 6in/15cm cable provides extended reach and improved flexibility, reducing strain on ports; USB-C connector with attached USB-C to USB-A dongle ensures compatibility with laptops, desktops, and 2-in-1 devices; USB Bus Powered
- BROAD COMPATIBILITY: Auto-installs on most operating systems including Windows 7/up, Linux LTS Kernel 4.19+ and up, MacOS/iOS/ChromeOS; Works with MacBooks, Chromebooks and all hardware platforms, including Intel, AMD, ARM (Snapdragon) and Apple Silicon
- APPLICATIONS: Ideal replacement for broken ethernet ports on laptops; Provides a wired connection that is faster and more secure than wireless for home, work and travel; Efficiently provision and maintain laptops with WoL and PXE
- TECH SPECS: USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C (5Gbps); Backwards compatible with USB 3.0/2.0; 1x GbE RJ45 Port; 10/100/1000Mbps; Realtek RTL8153B; 9K Jumbo Frames; VLAN Tagging; Wake-on-LAN; PXE Boot support; Energy Efficient Ethernet (EEE); Thunderbolt Compatible
Full Specifications
| Brand | StarTech.com |
|---|---|
| Color | Space Gray |
| Connectivity | Wireless, USB-C |
| Model Number | C21GA-USB-ETHERNET |
| Compatibility | iOS, Mac, Linux |
| Built-In Media | 1 USB Ethernet Adapter |
| Connection Type | Wired |
| Mfr Part Number | C21GA-USB-ETHERNET |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Compatible Devices | 2-in-1 devices, Desktop, Laptop |
| Data Link Protocol | IEEE 802.3i 10BASE-T, IEEE 802.3ab 1000BASE-T, IEEE 802.1q VLAN Tagging, IEEE 802.3x, IEEE 802.3u 100Base-TX |
| Data Transfer Rate | 5 gigabits_per_second |
| Hardware Interface | Ethernet, USB 3.2 Gen 1 |
| Warranty Description | 2-Year |
| Item Dimensions L x W x H | 13.9"L x 0.8"W x 0.6"H |
Ready to buy?
StarTech USB-C to GbE Ethernet Adapter, 10/100/1000Mbps, USB-A Dongle 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.
Related Retro Networking Cards
More guides & deep dives from the SpecPicks archive
Browse all articles & guides →- Best Budget Gaming PC Build 2026 — ~$1,000 ($800 on Sale)
- How to Build a Windows 98 Retro PC in 2026
- Emulation Hardware in 2026: FPGA, Software, and Cart-Reader Ecosystems
- Best 1440p Gaming GPUs in 2026
- RTX 4070 Super vs RX 7800 XT — Which to Buy in 2026
- Best Retro Handhelds in 2026 — From $35 to $500
- The Complete Voodoo5 5500 AGP Driver Guide (2026 Edition)
More reviews from the SpecPicks archive
Browse all reviews →- Cut AI API Bills: Run Local LLMs on an RTX 3060 12GB (2026)
- Samsung's 256GB microSD Falls to $47.99 — Plus the SSD Sidegrade
- How to run Qwen 3 14B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070
- RTX 5080 vs RTX 4080 SUPER — one generation apart
- IBM Granite 4.1 (3B / 8B / 30B): Local Inference Benchmarks and Hardware Picks
- Qwen3 MTP on a Single RTX 3060 12GB: What the New Benchmark Numbers Actually Mean
- Ternary Text-to-Image: Running Bonsai 4B on a 12GB RTX 3060
- Best PC Streaming Starter Kit in 2026: 5 Picks
- Claude Code Ran Hidden Repo Malware Unverified — Why Local AI Sandboxing Matters
- Building a Period-Correct 1999 Quake III Arena LAN Rig: Voodoo3, Pentium III, and Win98 SE
- Meta Muse Spark 1.1 Hits 51 on the Intelligence Index: The Local Angle
- Local 13B LLM Inference on a $700 Used Build: Ryzen 7 3700X + RTX 3060 12GB Benchmarked
- Ollama on a 12GB RTX 3060: Best Models and tok/s in 2026
- Best Gaming Mouse Pad for Esports FPS in 2026
- Fable 5 as Manager: The Delegate-to-Sonnet-5 Cost Pattern
- RTX 3060 12GB vs Ryzen 7 5800X for Qwen3 14B Local Inference (2026)
- Building a 3dfx Voodoo2 SLI Win98 Rig with a CompactFlash Boot Drive
- AA-Briefcase's 800x Cost Spread: What It Means for Local Agentic Rigs
- Best Gaming Controllers for PC in 2026: 5 Top Picks
- How to Build a Fully Declarative Homelab Stack
- Best Coding LLM Stack for an RTX 3060 12GB and 32GB RAM (2026)
- Beyond LLMs: How Agent Logic Scales Enterprise AI
- Best Capture Setup for Console Streaming in 2026: Elgato Cam Link 4K + PS4 Pro
- Ideogram 4.0 Open Weights: Native 2K Image Gen on a 12GB GPU
Earliest SpecPicks reviews
Browse full archive →- Best GPU for Llama 3.1 8B (2026)
- Best GPU for Qwen 3 14B (2026)
- Best GPU for Qwen 3 32B (2026)
- Best GPU for Llama 3.1 70B (2026)
- Best GPU for DeepSeek-R1 32B (2026)
- Best GPU for Llama 3.1 405B (2026)
- How to run Llama 3.1 8B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Qwen 3 14B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Qwen 3 32B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Llama 3.1 70B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run DeepSeek-R1 32B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Llama 3.1 8B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090