Two computers connected to same wi-fi, one fast, one slow

Soldato
Joined
4 Sep 2005
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Location
Bristol
As title, I have my MacBook Pro and my Windows desktop sitting next to each other, both connected to the same wi-fi network.

When I do a speed test on each, the Mac gets 31.6Mbps download and 8.1Mbps upload. Yet, the PC (which is sat right next to the Mac) gets 4.00Mbps download and 0.2Mbps upload.

The PC was reformatted last night, and has a fresh version of Windows 7 running on it.

I suppose that the obvious problem would be a hardware fault with the PCI wireless device (which has its drivers installed). But before I go and buy a new wireless adapter, is there any thing else it could be?

Thanks a lot,
Naffa
 
As Nick as pointed out the wireless card in the PC looks like a older "G" version but the Macbook Pro will no doubt have a 300Mbps Wireless card.

Look at device manager on the PC and look at the Wireless card type, then see if you can see the wireless card type in the Macbook Pro there I think you will see the difference.
 
Wireless chipsets make such a big difference.

I was comparing the Intel 6200, 6300 and an OEM Atheros-based adapter at work on monday.
In the same location and same system, the Atheros was pulling 12MB/s more than the 6200 / 6300s (who still performed respectably).
Such a huge difference and the 'only' change was the chipset.
 
I have just tried it with a Netgear USB adapter, which uses the 802.11n standard. It's still the same. :(

Thanks for your advice so far.
 
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