I understand you wrote "gigabit NICs" but just clarifying. You're using an Ethernet port on your laptop(s) or a USB X.0 to Ethernet adapter?
In this case there were 2 separate USB 3.0 to Ethernet Adapters (but Gigabit capable) on both laptops. I know there can be some bottlenecks with these adapters, but at least on mine is on a pretty high end laptop that I have gotten Gbps speed on my corporate network in the office. I'm trying to find another laptop that has a built in adapter, but all of these new ultrabooks rely on dongles unfortunately.
I was just verifying. USB 3.0-to-Ethernet is capable of gig-ish speed. It's practically the same as a builtin LAN port.
You're right. Some new laptops don't have LAN ports...especially ~books...and people would use USB 2.0 adapters, which top out at 400 Mbps.
