6 Advantages of a Retractable Ethernet Cable

A retractable Ethernet cable is a very useful accessory to have around. There are many peripheral computer items that you might buy and never use, but a retractable Ethernet cable won’t be one of those. Whether you use a desktop computer or a laptop that you take on the road, you’ll find a retractable Ethernet cable to be invaluable.

Size

Most Ethernet cables are long and thick in size. A retractable Ethernet cable winds around a small spindle, making it small, easy to pack and easy to carry. In most instances, you won’t need more than 5 feet of Ethernet cable anyway and this is the usual length of a retractable Ethernet cable. This is less than the length of most standard cables but should still be highly functional.

Price

Compared to standard Ethernet cables, a retractable Ethernet cable is a bargain. Some companies give them away as promotional items while others have them at very low prices.

It’s worth having at least two of them so you can keep one at home and the other packed in your laptop case. The one at home can be used as a backup for your computer or your gaming console in case you’re having problems with a wireless connection. All routers have connections at the back for Ethernet cables.

Versatility

Although most hotels and places you are likely to stay will have wireless connections, not all of them will. Where Wi-Fi is not available, the hotel or bed and breakfast accommodation might well offer Ethernet connections in a socket next to the phone jack. Having a retractable Ethernet cable in your laptop bag will allow you to get online without problems, and with a better connection and less hassle than going wireless.

Connection

Wireless connections aren’t always that great for any number of reasons. This makes it important to have an Ethernet cable. However, do you need more cables just sitting around, getting tangled up and taking up space? With a retractable Ethernet cable, you can just take it out when you need it and be assured of a much stronger connection.

That can be especially important if you’re uploading or downloading big files. There’s nothing more frustrating that being in the middle of a download only to have your connection die. With a retractable Ethernet cable, you’ll only need to plug it in and you should have no problem at all.

Network

A retractable Ethernet cable is great for getting online but if you’re working in an office you don’t usually visit and you have your laptop with you, you can use it to plug into the LAN or local area network which will let you share data with others on the network. That will help increase your productivity.

Games Consoles

If you have a games console close to the television and the router, a retractable Ethernet cable means you won’t have another big cable in your living room. All you need is a length between the console and the router while the rest of the cable stays neatly on the spool.