Ethernet

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What is an Ethernet connection for? I ask because reviews of the Dell XPS 13 indicate that it is a top notch laptop, but it does not have an Ethernet port. Is the lack of a Ethernet connection a big handicap?

Thank you.

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What is an Ethernet connection for? I ask because reviews of the Dell XPS 13 indicate that it is a top notch laptop, but it does not have an Ethernet port. Is the lack of a Ethernet connection a big handicap?

Thank you.

An Ethernet connection is a cable between your computer and your Router. It’s only important in this day and age of Wi-Fi devices for making changes in the Router such as the password for the Wireless connection between a Wi-Fi computer and the Router. It is generally more reliable than wireless. A Router can have 4 computers connected by cable plus the Uplink to the Modem. Most Wi-Fi Routers can have several wireless computers connected. There are USB devices available to provide the same type port when necessary.

Before you wonder "Am I doing things right," ask "Am I doing the right things?"

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Moon,

It’s not as big a deal as it may seem. I recently purchased a Dell convertible laptop for my wife sans Ethernet port. $25 later I have aUSB 3.0 10/100/1000 Ethernet port and 3 USB 3.0 ports so as the commercial says “Still Up By Two”! :lol:. HTH :cheers:

May the Forces of good computing be with you!

RG

PowerShell & VBA Rule!
Computer Specs

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Strictly speaking you do have an ethernet port, it’s just wireless rather than wired.

cheers, Paul

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I think I’d still prefer a machine with an Ethernet port so as to have that alternative connectivity option if only for trouble shooting.

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In this day and age, I can’t even believe that question was asked? A web search would have instantly provided every bit of information available on the topic.

Besides being more stable and connecting to the internet quicker, a LAN connection (also called Ethernet) is faster, by almost 100% in most cases.

I’ve had customers with laptops, that set on a desk, less than a yard away from their router and yet they’re using wireless instead of their LAN port.
And most of them have a short LAN cable laying around someplace.
When I show them how much better the LAN connection is than the Wireless, they are happy to make the switch.
Of course, when they want to take the Laptop out to poolside or patio, the wireless is still available to them.

Currently I have 11 computers and five of those are Notebook/Laptop PC’s and every one of them has it’s own LAN/Ethernet port.
I wouldn’t have a computer without one.

Thank you, Retired Geek, for that link to the USB to Lan/Ethernet adapter. I might have to get one, just for the USB 3.0 expandability feature.

Cheers Mates!
The Doctor

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In this day and age, I can’t even believe that question was asked? A web search would have instantly provided every bit of information available on the topic.

Besides being more stable and connecting to the internet quicker, a LAN connection (also called Ethernet) is faster, by almost 100% in most cases.

Cheers Mates!
The Doctor

That is simply not true.

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That is simply not true.

Depends what you are connecting to. Using a local network and the bottle neck is likely wireless, for the internet its your ISP speed.

Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.

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Depends what you are connecting to. Using a local network and the bottle neck is likely wireless, for the internet its your ISP speed.

The point I was addressing is the assertion that (ethernet) …” is faster, by almost 100% in most cases” than wireless; which is obviously tosh.

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The point I was addressing is the assertion that (ethernet) …” is faster, by almost 100% in most cases” than wireless; which is obviously tosh.

That rather depends on the wireless network, I’ve certainly used some that are abysmally slow and unreliable. Depends on the experience of the user and what they’re stuck with at the time I guess.

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….Is the lack of a Ethernet connection a big handicap?

Thank you.

It would be a no sale for me. I like the security of an Ethernet if available over wifi especially in a unknown place. That said, most people never use Ethernet nowadays. wifi rules and maybe 4G.

If you never use it then don’t let it effect your buying decision.

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A reasonable discussion here…http://www.howtogeek.com/217463/wi-fi-vs.-ethernet-how-much-better-is-a-wired-connection/

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Wireless is subject to all kinds of interference.

Wikipedia: WiFi > Interference

Interference

For more details on this topic, see Electromagnetic interference at 2.4 GHz.

Wi-Fi connections can be disrupted or the internet speed lowered by having other devices in the same area. Many 2.4 GHz 802.11b and 802.11g access-points default to the same channel on initial startup, contributing to congestion on certain channels. Wi-Fi pollution, or an excessive number of access points in the area, especially on the neighboring channel, can prevent access and interfere with other devices’ use of other access points, caused by overlapping channels in the 802.11g/b spectrum, as well as with decreased signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) between access points. This can become a problem in high-density areas, such as large apartment complexes or office buildings with many Wi-Fi access points.

Additionally, other devices use the 2.4 GHz band: microwave ovens, ISM band devices, security cameras, ZigBee devices, Bluetooth devices, video senders, cordless phones, baby monitors, and (in some countries) Amateur radio all of which can cause significant additional interference. It is also an issue when municipalities or other large entities (such as universities) seek to provide large area coverage.

Even bad electrical connections can cause broad RF spectrum emissions.

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Ethernet, wired, is also immensely more secure than exclusively using wireless transmissions, especially from a fixed site (more time for nosey neighbors or worse to crack your setup). Besides, a wired system throughout your house or building or office spaces offers a huge advantage in networking and in control of your network. By all accounts, wireless routers on the shelf for sale probably cannot exceed 100 mbps in actual use. Most are rated for less than that speed as their best throughput. Wired ethernet (cat5 & cat6 cabling) will get network traffic up to nearly 1000 mbps.

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Ethernet, wired, is also immensely more secure than exclusively using wireless transmissions, especially from a fixed site (more time for nosey neighbors or worse to crack your setup). Besides, a wired system throughout your house or building or office spaces offers a huge advantage in networking and in control of your network. By all accounts, wireless routers on the shelf for sale probably cannot exceed 100 mbps in actual use. Most are rated for less than that speed as their best throughput. Wired ethernet (cat5 & cat6 cabling) will get network traffic up to nearly 1000 mbps.

+1
And if my understanding is correct, that wireless speed is for each radio, whereas that wired network can be 1 Gig full duplex between each client if the switches have sufficient throughput .

But we digress.

For most folk wireless is just fine and wired connection at hotels seem to be disappearing. And find me a cafe w/ a wired connection. :cheers:

Just because you don't know where you are going doesn't mean any road will get you there.

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