Does the Ethernet Cable Matter

Question

Level 1

7 points

Does the Ethernet Cable Matter

I noticed they have an ethernet cable in the apple Store. My current one is shot, lost the latch that keeps it from coming out, and is twisted every which way. Does it matter what ethernrt cable one uses fro the MBP regarding the connection? I see they sell one that is not called an "ethernet" cable, but would it do any good for my connection is I purchased something like this or are ethernet cables CAT5 just the same as the next?

MBP 3.06 GHz Intel C2D. 8 GB 1067 MHz, Mac OS X (10.6.3), 500 GB HD 7200 rpm

Posted on Dec 23, 2011 8:17 PM

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Answer 1

etresoft

Level 8

46,110 points

Dec 23, 2011 8:21 PM in response to NObodE

One is the same as the next, more or less.

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Answer 2

Dec 23, 2011 8:31 PM in response to etresoft

You should get cables that have all eight wires (and all eight gold contacts) in place. This kind is required for Gigabit Ethernet should you ever need it, and is generally NOT more expensive than the four wires cables. When I find four wire cables in my collection, I cut the ends off and turn them into scrap wire.

Cat 5e cables looked like they were going to be very important, but a different transission scheme won out, and now Cat 5e is only important for long cables.

"Plenum rated" cable is electrically identical to "Riser rated" cable but has a flame-retardent jacket. It costs twice the price, and is not required except for running above suspended ceilings in certain cases.

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Answer 3

NObodE Author

Level 1

7 points

Dec 23, 2011 8:56 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

They are not one is the same as the next for one thing.

Hey Grant, if you take a look at the variety of cables out at the Apple Store (online) do you think one is better then the other? the

Belkin 7' Cat6 Ethernet Cable

can be used when one needs a regular ethernet cable but when they also need the special one for ethernet gigabit ethernet networks, you need one like the one in Bold above. there are several more in the store, but I do not know what is the best, if there is a best.

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Answer 4

Network 23

Level 6

12,333 points

Dec 24, 2011 12:24 AM in response to NObodE

There's no reason not to just get Cat6. I love the speed of Gigabit Ethernet. But I wouldn't get the cable at the Apple Store or a regular street store...both are too expensive. While the Apple Store has a 7' Cat6 for $14.95, Monoprice.com has a cable just as good and just as long for $1.67. Don't just listen to me though...you'll find Monoprice has a solid reputation if you search forums for cable opinions. I buy all my data cables there (USB, FireWire, video monitor, Ethernet, audio...).

They do charge a bit for shipping, though, so it's a good idea to make a list of every cable you might need in the near future...but even if you pick up 3 or 4 cables, you can still get out of there for less than that one Belkin cable would cost at the Apple Store.

I also tend to buy 10 foot or longer cables because over time I find that 6-7 ft tends to limit where I can put things. For example, the last two printers I bought are Ethernet-networkable, and with longer cables I had a lot more flexibility with printer placement vs the router and my Macs.

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Answer 5

NObodE Author

Level 1

7 points

Dec 24, 2011 4:39 AM in response to Network 23

Network 23

What would I look for at Monoprice? I was looking at the Belkin 7" CAT 5 cable at the apple Store and buying it through skymilesshopping.com to get the 10 skymiles too, which Apple hardly gives any skymiles. Is this cable used for the exact same reason one would use the CAT 5 ethernet cable they have been using for years? At Monoprice is it called the same thing? I do not have a gigabyte network so I just need a regular ethernet cable. I beleive this cable delivers a very high performance for a CAT 6 Ethernet cabe.

Not knowing much at all in the network area or even very limited knowledge in the computer field, what other cables might I need down the road? I am geeting myself into looking like a ******* now because I do not even know how to hook up a wireless connection whic is something I have been wanting to do to my MBP for years. I even purchased the Airport Extreme about 6 years ago and never opened it. I do not have my MBP hooked up to a device for strroage so I need courses bigtime.

For now I am looking just to replace my destroyed ethernet CaT 5 ethernet cable, much to my embaressment.

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Answer 6

NObodE Author

Level 1

7 points

Dec 24, 2011 4:43 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Hey Grant did not get the Correxct Answer from etresoft, he got the mark and points from NObodE, iof I may add my 2 cents in. ;-)

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Answer 7

Network 23

Level 6

12,333 points

Dec 24, 2011 9:59 AM in response to NObodE

NObodE wrote:

Network 23

What would I look for at Monoprice?...I do not have a gigabyte network so I just need a regular ethernet cable. I beleive this cable delivers a very high performance for a CAT 6 Ethernet cabe.

My post had a Web link in the text where it says "a cable just as good..." Click that and it goes straight to the 7 foot cable.

As far as not needing Gigabit, when prices are this low, I don't see why not just get the best so you don't have to buy it over again later.

NObodE wrote:

Not knowing much at all in the network area or even very limited knowledge in the computer field, what other cables might I need down the road? I am geeting myself into looking like a ******* now because I do not even know how to hook up a wireless connection whic is something I have been wanting to do to my MBP for years. I even purchased the Airport Extreme about 6 years ago and never opened it. I do not have my MBP hooked up to a device for strroage so I need courses bigtime.

OK. Maybe you don't need a few more cables then. I'm always connecting stuff, like external drives and printers and things, and I already have a couple of Ethernet cables with broken connectors so spares are nice.

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