USB 2.0 with Gigabit Ethernet or 5GHz Wi-Fi
USB 2.0 with Gigabit Ethernet or 5GHz Wi-Fi
Hey there, David! I saw your setup and wanted to share some thoughts. Converting an old laptop to a Linux Plex server is cool, but you're right to question the Ethernet connection—your setup seems to be only a 100Mbps, not the gigabit you expected. If you're looking for speed, a USB 2.0 Gigabit adapter could help, though it might not fully compensate for the limited bandwidth. On the other hand, sticking with 5GHz Wi-Fi could be better if your internet service supports it. It's worth hearing different perspectives, so feel free to ask more questions!
I’m not familiar with Plex Servers, but Ethernet seems to be the better option. Based on what I know, unless you have a solid router, 5GHz might not work well for your needs. As for Plex servers, my general view is that it’s something to consider carefully.
Both options have their drawbacks. USB is problematic because of polling and high CPU consumption. Wireless connections may also struggle due to latency and network density around your home or apartment. You might be able to use a miniPCIe adapter card connected to the PCIe slot, keeping the wireless card outside the laptop case on a flat surface like cardboard. This depends on the laptop's BIOS—some models only allow certain hardware IDs in that slot or accept any card.