Abstract:

This video reviews the Wavelink USB-C to 5 Gigabit Ethernet adapter, testing its performance across various scenarios. The reviewer conducts internet speed tests using both Ookla and Fast.com on a MacBook (M1 Max) and a Windows laptop (MSI), comparing the adapter's ability to reach advertised 5 Gbps speeds. While generally achieving close to 5 Gbps, inconsistencies are noted, particularly with Fast.com on Windows and in direct laptop-to-laptop local network transfers. The video also highlights the plug-and-play nature for macOS versus the necessity of manual driver installation for Windows to achieve optimal speeds. Local speed tests to a 10 Gbps Mac Mini server demonstrate more consistent high performance. The reviewer concludes that the adapter offers good value for its price, despite some unexplained anomalies in specific peer-to-peer scenarios, and seeks community input on these observations.

Summarizing the Wavelink USB-C to 5Gbps Ethernet Adapter

• 0:00 Introduction: The video introduces a new Wavelink USB-C to 5 Gbps Ethernet adapter, designed for internet and local area network speeds up to 5 Gbps.
• 0:27 Test Setup: The reviewer uses two adapters to test on both a MacBook (M1 Max) and an MSI Windows laptop, comparing their performance. The internet connection is 5 Gbps, and a Mac Mini server with a 10 Gbps port is also used for local tests.
• 0:55 Internet Speed Test (Ookla):
  • The MacBook achieves 4.6 Gbps download and 4.2-4.3 Gbps upload, which are considered very good and close to the advertised 5 Gbps.
  • The Windows laptop also shows similar high speeds on Ookla.
• 2:21 Internet Speed Test (Fast.com):
  • The MacBook surprisingly achieves over 5 Gbps download speeds (e.g., 5.3 Gbps) on Fast.com.
  • However, the Windows laptop consistently struggles on Fast.com, achieving only 1.7-2.0 Gbps, significantly slower than expected and its Ookla results. The reviewer notes this anomaly.
• 3:40 Driver Installation:
  • The adapter is plug-and-play on the MacBook, working instantly.
  • For the Windows laptop, manual driver installation from the Wavelink website (wavelink.com.au/drivers for model WL-NW3340G-A) was required to achieve fast speeds. Without drivers, speeds were very slow.
• 4:30 Local Speed Test (to Mac Mini):
  • Both the MacBook and Windows laptop, when connected to a 10 Gbps Mac Mini server, achieve speeds very close to 5 Gbps.
  • The reviewer emphasizes that local speed tests are generally more consistent than internet speed tests.
• 6:04 Local Speed Test (Laptop to Laptop):
  • When testing speeds directly between the two laptops (each with the Wavelink adapter), an interesting anomaly is observed: download speeds are fast, but upload speeds are significantly slower (or vice versa, depending on which laptop initiates).
  • The reviewer speculates this might be due to "two conversions" (USB-C to Ethernet and back) happening, compared to one conversion when connecting to the Mac Mini.
• 9:18 Overall Assessment: The adapter generally performs well, getting very close to 5 Gbps speeds, especially when using a single adapter or connecting to a dedicated server.
• 9:29 Value for Price: Despite some inconsistencies in specific peer-to-peer tests, the reviewer highly recommends the adapter for its performance given its price.
• 9:58 Call for Community Input: The reviewer asks viewers if they know the reason for the observed speed anomalies in laptop-to-laptop transfers.