Sonnet Technologies has announced the Solo10G T5, a bus-powered Thunderbolt 5 to 10GBASE-T 10 Gigabit Ethernet adapter with NBASE-T (multi-gigabit) support. The latest addition to its family of Thunderbolt, USB-C and PCIe Ethernet network adapters, the Solo10G T5 adapter adds a 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) port to Mac, Windows and Linux computers with Thunderbolt or USB4 ports and M series iPad Pro tablets.

The Solo10G T5 adapter connects compatible laptop, mini-desktop and all-in-one computers — and iPad Pro tablets — to 10GbE networks at full speed over standard Cat 6 or Cat 6A copper cabling, providing reliable, high-performance networking for large file transfers, shared storage, professional video workflows and other bandwidth-intensive applications. For users without access to a 10GbE network, the Sonnet adapter also supports 5Gb, 2.5Gb and 1Gb Ethernet link speeds over common Cat 5e or better cabling when paired with a multi-gigabit-compatible switch, router or NAS.

Bandwidth-intensive workflows require faster network transfer speeds and greater bandwidth, but many computers lack built-in support for 10GbE connectivity. The Solo10G T5 adapter adds 10GBASE-T 10GbE networking. Mac and Linux users can connect it without installing a driver, while Windows users need to download and install one. The adapter supports multiple Ethernet speeds and works with existing network cabling, allowing it to be used across a range of systems.

The Solo10G T5 underwent rigorous electrical and interoperability testing to achieve Thunderbolt certification, ensuring consistent performance and broad compatibility across certified host systems. This certification also verifies the adapter’s hardware-based, cryptographically authenticated firmware, allowing only manufacturer-authorized firmware updates. For organizations with stringent IT and security requirements, this certification provides greater confidence in device integrity and network endpoint security than uncertified USB4 alternatives.

Requiring no power adapter, the Solo10G T5 adapter consumes just 7.5 watts of bus power, an especially important advantage when connecting to a laptop computer with limited bus power shared between ports. This leaves the connected computer enough available power to operate another bus-powered Thunderbolt or USB device, such as an external SSD.

Featuring a compact, solid aluminum enclosure, the Solo10G T5 adapter is cool-running, so it doesn’t need a fan (unlike many USB4 10Gb Ethernet adapters). As a result, it is silent, and it is small enough to drop into a spare pocket in an equipment bag.

The Solo10G T5 is available now from Sonnet and its worldwide distributors and resellers for $199.99.