thunderbolt splitter?

Thunderbolt display. There ya go.

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC914LL/A

Everyone else's solutions are still in the "promise" stage of development.

Don't have a MBA yet, but thought about your issue as it's a stumbling block in my purchase. It isn't a total solution, but this USB 3.0 -> HDMI/DVI might work, leaving thunderbolt free for ethernet. It was the only solution i found to needing both giga ethernet and an external monitor.

http://www.amazon.com/SANOXY-Monitor-Adapter-Display-Resolution/dp/B006NQD6WE

Either;

http://store.apple.com/uk/product/MD463ZM/A/thunderbolt-to-gigabit-ethernet-adap ter?fnode=51

http://www.belkin.com/us/thunderbolt

Or, why not go wifi ?

http://store.apple.com/uk/product/MC414B/A/airport-express-base-station?fnode=4d

Sorry, but if your external display doesn't offer a second Thunderbolt port (for daisy-chaining) or an Ethernet port (like the Apple TB display), then you bought into a dead-end "solution" which can only make sense at the end of a TB chain.

Has it got USB connectors? There are USB -> Ethernet adapters, and they are not even expensive (unless it's Apple... 😉). It won't be GB speed exactly, but close enough, maybe.

sjordi,

ok, so either go for the Belkin or use WIFI. . ?

😉

People still use CAT 5? that's weird.

If your Mac supports 802.11ac, the new AirPort Extreme's theoretical bandwidth is 1.3 Gbps ($200).

Not everyone uses their ethernet port just to connect to the internet.

New ProTools allows you to get 64channels of audio into your coputer over a single Cat5 cable- Wifi is no alternative there...

Based on the premise that I must use the thunderbolt port for ethernet (have the adaptor), cannot spend 1k on an new monitor, and want to use the secondary dell monitor with my macbook air, is there a solution that is under $100?

How about a Thunderbolt (Mini DisplyPort) to DVI/HDMI adapter and a USB to Ethernet adapter?

I think I will have to go that (^) way. Wish I had planned better when I ordered...