The ARCnet adapter is the oldest technology and is considered slow by today's standards. It can send and receive data at 2.5 megabigts per second.

The Ethernet adapter is the most popular as it allows you to connect many different types of PCs and peripheral devices including Apple and IBM PCs. These cards come in three different types: ThinNet unshielded twisted pair or UTP and ThickNet. These refer to the type of cable these cards use to attach to the LAN.

Ethernet can generally send and receive data at 10 megabits per second. This speed is continually rising. A fast Ethernet card can run at a speed of 100 megabits per second.

A token ring adapter is the most expensive. It is generally used in large LANs which generate many transmissions. Token ring can send and receive data at rates from 4-16 megabits per second.