wifi faster on iPhone 3GS than PC with wireless USB adapter

dacads · 17 Sep 2014 at 13:51

Hi all, so recently moved to a studio flat which has wifi shared between 5 people.

Now I've done some speed tests and it is way faster on my iPhone 3GS(HOW THE?!) than PC with a wireless usb adapter. I've tried two wireless usb adapters both are failing miserably with a very weak signal and download speeds that even a retired person would sigh at.

So now for the comedy part, to make everyone laugh(don't worry me too)

iPhone 3GS

Now onto PC using wireless adapter

Upload was actually same as iPhone upload speed yesterday but it seems to have drastically gone down.

What a joke right?

Can anybody explain to me what's going on and how I can solve it.

Clav · 17 Sep 2014 at 16:51

Are they the same distance from the router? Are the USB adapters old g devices?

dacads · 17 Sep 2014 at 16:58

Yes same distance and one of the adapters is N other is G.

It's so puzzling and frustrating

bledd · 17 Sep 2014 at 20:56

Update drivers for wireless adaptor.

In my opinion, wireless should only be used for light browsing. For everything else, cat5e cable minimum.

dacads · 17 Sep 2014 at 21:48

Drivers are up to date.

Anyway switched the adapter from a usb port at the back to one at the front.

Problem's now solved but the speeds are still over the place i.e getting between 7 and 11 Mb/s when doing a speed test and upload was over 2 now down to 1. I guess this inconsistency is to be expected?

I'm relieved and happy I can at least watch a YouTube video now.

Yes I do prefer wired over wireless as the latter can be a real pain in the backside sometimes. But then again I know you can still get decent speeds as I have had previously and been able to game, download etc without problem.

Duke · 17 Sep 2014 at 22:07

Inconsistency could be that you've got 5 other people on there using it for who knows what