I use the Ethernet connection on a new PI install frequently. Clean and fast. You can install it right next to your router, wherever than happens to be. Updates from Github are much quicker. You just need a network scanning tool to find the new IP that appears, or a router you can configure to give the same IP to a given MAC address every time. Alternatively, get to the point where you configure the image using a keyboard and screen, and then save that boot image to a laptop. Start from there each time. Many routers will reassign the same IP going forward. ... View more