Here's how to add Ethernet and three USB 3.0 ports to your Surface Pro 3

By Daniel Rubino
last updated

The Surface Pro 3 is one powerful tablet. Or a computer. Regardless of how you use it, the Surface Pro 3 can do a lot, especially with that single USB 3.0 port on the side. Recently, we took a look at a 4-in-1 adapter for the Surface series, but today we have a new one that is also highly affordable.

The HooToo HT-UE01 3-Port USB 3.0 HUB with 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet Converter costs less than $30, and it greatly enhances what you can do on the Surface Pro series (all three generations). RT users have to sit on the side as Ethernet support non-functioning with this adapter.

The HooToo HT-UE01 is not a premium feeling add on, in fact, it feels a little bit on the cheap side being made of plastic and somewhat hollow. Having said that, the reviews on Amazon are consistently high for the HooToo (4.3 stars out of 5).

Plugging it into the Surface Pro 3 and adding two-USB thumb drives plus a Windows Phone Lumia 1520 was not a problem for either the Surface or the HooToo. Immediately everything is recognizable by the OS, and I could now swap files between my phone and thumb drives with ease. There are, of course, a myriad other devices you could plug, including card readers and more.

The RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet Port, found on the bottom, also works flawlessly. Plugging into my router and my Surface Pro 3 quickly took advantage of my fast Verizon FiOS 75/35 package. Needless to say, having that kind of speed on the Surface is an excellent addition.

Overall, the HooToo HT-UE01 is a pleasant, affordable solution for the Surface Pro series. It is relatively small (about 4.3-inches), lightweight (2.2 ounces) and it does not break the bank. For $30 such a tool may not be needed all the time, but it never hurts to toss in your bag just in case.

Although I understand the need for a cable connector for the HooToo, since it is not purposefully made for the Surface, it would be much cleaner if it could plug directly in and mount like the Juiced Systems adapter reviewed earlier. As is, the extra cable, along with whatever else you plug into, quickly turns the whole setup into a wired, floppy mess. In other words, this is probably not ideal if you're working with the Surface in your lap.

Finally, I'd like to see Microsoft make a similar adapter officially for the Surface series as it seems they may be missing on an opportunity. For now, you can find the HooToo HT-UE01 on Amazon (opens in new tab) or Newegg (opens in new tab).

Do you have an accessory for the Surface that is your must have? Let us know in comments or check out our other reviews!

Daniel Rubino
Daniel Rubino
Editor-in-chief

Daniel Rubino is the Editor-in-chief of Windows Central, head reviewer, podcast co-host, and analyst. He has been covering Microsoft since 2007 when this site was called WMExperts (and later Windows Phone Central). His interests include Windows, laptops, next-gen computing, and for some reason, watches. Before all this tech stuff, he worked on a Ph.D. in linguistics, watched people sleep (for medical purposes!), and ran the projectors at movie theaters because it was fun.

35 Comments
  • A bit ugly but it will do the job i guess
  • Yup, definitely not sexy looking, but cheap and it works!
  • Anything like this for a 2520? I don't even need Ethernet...
  • I'll swap you my 120/5 for your FiOS.. Deal?
  • Its called forward compatibility. Instead of making it fit one device they are trying to make it last longer then the tablet itself
  • Yeah they need to make an adapter like the Juiced that doesn't cover up the volume buttons!
  • Yes, the SP3 is an excellent device and with more USB ports it gets even closer to weaning me off my laptop. Oh, and a full detachable keyboard dock with battery pack for longer life and I can donate my laptop to Smithsonian where it can sit by the laplatasaurus.
  • Cable:( i want all to be wirelessly connected
  • +9999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999
  • +0.99
  • This is so kewl.
    Is it possible to add a second Ethernet connection by plugging in the Ethernet adapter for the Surface Pro into one of those 3 USB ports?
  • Ethernet inception. *mind blown*
  • Already purchased one of these a while back for my Pro 2. Works perfectly and is inexpensive. I always have it in my bag. And you can't beat that it's USB 3.0, a lot of adapters aren't.
     
  • RJ45*
  • Damn snipers, taking out my 'R's...
  • Cool. But what I really want to see.. Maybe a small piece of how you feel today about the surface 2 in comparison to how you felt when you first got it.
  • Dan, what do you mean, no ethernet support on Windows RT? I have a Microsoft usb to ethernet adaptor on my Lumia 2520 and it works flawlessly. Take a look here: http://digitalmanblog.wordpress.com/2013/10/29/ethernet-on-surface-rt-with-windows-rt-8-1/
  • I'm saying this doesn't work on the RT. I tried before I posted.
  • I spend a lot of money for a surface and ruin the look with this cheap stuff? Never! The only good solution is the docking station.
  • err..you travel with a docking station? I was thinking this would be ideal for a coffee shop, hotel or myself at an event
  • Hmm, can we chain a couple of these together? :P
  • "RJ-45" not "J45"
  • That keyboard is sexy. Red is my favorite color.
  • I need to look into this adapter for my own laptop. It is no Surface, but 2 USB ports is still often not enough, and there is no such thing as Ethernet on these new slim computers. $30 is a great price to pay for this functionality if it actually works as advertised.
  • Lots of hotels (in UK at least) offer internet in rooms (but only via ethernet), so this would be excellent
  • I bought some similar gadget from Shenzhen for four/five €. Looks way better than this one, build quality seems great and main cable is removeable. Usb3 and Ethernet incl. 30$ is too high price for these gadgets.
  • There's a few DoDoCool devices that do the same thing. I bought one from ebay for £18 for my HP Spectre x2, works a treat. Ethernet part doesn't work on Surface 2 but the extra usb ports come in handy
  • what I don't get is why MSFT doesn't put at least two USB ports in there. 1 is ok but realistically you need more than that. And since they never gotten DP1.2 for dual screen output to work correctly due to the crappy old intel drivers they are using, they may as well give up on it and just put dual DP outputs, if not on the device at least on the docking station.
  • I wish the dock had 2 video outs so I could run 2 identical monitors. This is keeping me from getting one, darn it. I tried USB video and there is too much lag for me.
  • Better to have the cable and a bit of slack than have it plug in direct. Anything that big on a portable device will just act as a lever when bumped and destroy your USB port. Said from a very long time of experience of IT steering all kinds of wsus prolly break their stuff.
  • Have had the exact same device with a different name on it, purchased via Amazon, in my "daily driver Surface Pro" bag for several months. Mine says "UNITEK" on it, seems solid, and has a thick USB 3.0 cable. Works flawlessly for this IT Pro.
  • Anyone know where I can get one of these in canada? I checked newegg.ca and amazon.ca and they dont seem to carry the model with the ethernet.
  • Looks like UNITEK variant is available on Amazon.ca. Just received my SP3 and also looking at options...
  • It works well, I've been imaging tablets and ultra books using this exact device.
  • where can I get that wallpaper?