Review of Dynex USB to Serial adapter (DX-UBDB9)

4 out of 5 stars

Having no serial ports in any computers I found myself needing a quick solution so I could configure old routers and switches that had serial connection requirements.

I wanted a device that would work with Windows  7,8, and OSX (10.9 as of this writing).

I purchased Dynex usb to serial adapter rom Amazon for about $35.

Installation on both Windows 7 and Windows 8 was plug and play.  The Mac (as has been my experience with almost everything non-Apple connecting to it) was less so but still easy enough.  I found the drivers from the Prolific web site and after installing them and rebooting, it worked perfectly.

If the drivers had been included or it worked just plug and play with the mac it would have been 5 out of 5 for me... but it meets my needs and works with all the hardware I needed it for.

Review of Belkin USB to Ethernet Adapter (F4U047)

2.5 out of 5 Stars

Well, I have both the Microsoft Surface Pro Tablet (1st Gen) and a MacBook Air (2013).  I like both of them but occasionally find myself needing a hardwired ethernet connection and neither has a built-in port.  So having poked around I settled on the Belkin USB to Ethernet adapter.

Why?  I've used Belkin adapters in the past and found them generally reliable, it was fairly inexpensive and was advertised as working with both Windows and OSX.  Yes its only 100Mbs, but I didn't need gigE.

Ordered from Amazon with the usual hassle-free delivery.  

First I tested on the Surface - plugged it in and Windows 8 immediately recognized it and installed drivers.  No installation disk necessary - just worked out of the box.

Next up - the MacBook.  Plugged it in - nothing.  Pulled out driver disk included with the adapter, and uh-oh, latest driver on that was for OSX 10.5.  Of course the Air is running 10.9.  Well, tried the 10.5 drivers, they installed and requested a reboot (i've noticed my Mac seem to require more reboots that windows 8 during software installations).   Rebooted - and VOILA! nothing.  no hardware detection, no link lights, and no connectivity.  Quick trip to belkin support and nothing - that 10.5 driver is the latest they've got.

Ended up having to drop another 30 bucks on the overpriced Apple thunderbolt adapter for the mac.  I'll keep the belkin as it works with my Surface, but overall only 2.5 stars out of 5 as it only 1/2 works as advertised.