Slow download speeds?

[puebert]

Hello everyone. I am new to this forum and new to macs, so bear with me for a sec.

I am currently trying to download the first act of Dr. Horrible (in HD!!), but the download has been going on for at least 5 hours and it's barely past 50%. The same problem happened when I tried to download TF2, that one took days.

After going to Speedtest.net, this is my result:



Is this a normal download speed for a macbook pro on a wireless connection? If not, is there a way to speed it up?

If it matters, I'm using Chrome as my browser and I'm not sure what other information would be helpful...

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[pigoo3]

Is this a normal download speed for a macbook pro on a wireless connection?

There is no "normal" download speed for a MacBook Pro or any computer. Download speed many times is dependent on what sort of internet connection you have:

- dial-up
- DSL (asymmetric or symmetric)
- cable modem
- or faster connections via universities or corporate locations

And then if you have a cable modem...many times it depends on how many other users are on the system at the same time as you...since cable modem service in many places is a "shared" service.

If you connect via a wireless network...you have to factor in what sort of wireless devices (routers, modems, etc.) you have (brand, quality, and setup) & what wireless version you are using (b, g, or n).

It is possible that you have a problem with your computer or wireless hardware. Also consider that the website that you're downloading from could be over-loaded with other users doing the same thing.

Considering all that is involved...it's hard to determine (with the info you provided)...what it could be:

- internet connection type
- wireless technology used
- computer or network hardware
- over-loaded websites

HTH,

- Nick

 

[cditty]

baggie 42

My Macbook Pro maxes out my DSL (3 Meg) via wireless. What bandwidth package do you get from Quest? If it is 1.5 Meg, you are there.

If it is more than that, I would test a computer that is plugged into the router or use your Mac's wired connector to make a direct connection and test from it.

The Apple wireless is quite good. Now, if you are using a Time Capsule and backing up at the same time you are downloading, you will notice a significant slowdown.

 

[Raz0rEdge]

If you can..you should directly connect to the router as opposed to the wireless and see if your speed increases..I'd doubt it though unless you're wireless is REALLY bad.you're really far..and have a lot of conflicts in you area..

802.11A/B WiFi can easily do 11 Mbps, G got up to 54 Mbps, and N is supposed to be able to do greater than 100 Mbps..

So a good wireless connection is NOT going to be the bottleneck, if anything it your ISP..

Regards

 

[puebert]

Thanks for the replies!

Anyways, I'm using DSL but I don't know if it is asymmetric or symmetric. I have two computers running in my house so I suppose that affects it a bit.

I'm not sure if I have a router or a modem. But it seems to me that there is not much I can do other than getting a new isp or moving? I think I'll live with my current situation.

 

[Raz0rEdge]

If you have DSL, you're getting about as much as you can from the downstream..the speeds are usually 768k or 1.5Mb down..so you must have the faster of the two available connections..so yes..if you want to go faster, you'll have to get a new ISP that has cable modem or FIOS..

You could always call your current ISP to get the pertinent details of your connection..

Regards

 

[chas_m]

I don't know about puebert's area, but DSL in my town is a HECK of a lot faster than 1.5Mbit down ... more like 5Mbit ... sounds like somebody is paying for DSL Lite and doesn't know it.

Of course that's nothing compared to cable, to wit:

 

[schweb]

I don't know about puebert's area, but DSL in my town is a HECK of a lot faster than 1.5Mbit down ... more like 5Mbit ... sounds like somebody is paying for DSL Lite and doesn't know it.

Of course that's nothing compared to cable, to wit:

I get 18/1.5 on my AT&T Uverse internet which is technically also DSL.

They have a 24/3 package, but I don't really need that speed too often.

 

[pigoo3]

I get 18/1.5 on my AT&T Uverse internet which is technically also DSL.

That's some pretty speedy DSL you got there Schweb!

I just tested my cable modem speed...and only got 10.33/.48.

- Nick

 

[Mac*Lovin]

I don't know about puebert's area, but DSL in my town is a HECK of a lot faster than 1.5Mbit down ... more like 5Mbit ... sounds like somebody is paying for DSL Lite and doesn't know it.

Of course that's nothing compared to cable, to wit:

Yeah.

 

[schweb]

That's some pretty speedy DSL you got there Schweb!

I just tested my cable modem speed...and only got 10.33/.48.

- Nick

We have Cox Cable in our area which also a really good provider, I just preferred Uverse television to regular cable, but Cox's speed is similar right now to what Uverse offers...but it will be interesting to see what happens when they start offering DOCSIS 3.0 speeds soon.

 

[quin]

I have DSL through Embarq. 3.0 Mb/s download with 0.61 Mb/s upload. But 14 Mb/s holy crap! They do offer some premium speed in DSL which I don't think I'll ever need.

1.5 Mb/s seems low to me though.

 

[Sobe]

Sounds like you need to check your ISP settings and package details.

 

[schweb]

Yep here's my DSL speeds with AT&T Uverse:

 

[EndlessMac]

I am currently trying to download the first act of Dr. Horrible (in HD!!), but the download has been going on for at least 5 hours and it's barely past 50%. The same problem happened when I tried to download TF2, that one took days.

Is this a normal download speed for a macbook pro on a wireless connection? If not, is there a way to speed it up?

If you are getting different speeds on different computers then it might an issue related to your Mac but since you didn't test the speeds before getting your Mac then you won't know what is normal. As mentioned by others internet speeds are usually dependent on your ISP but wireless can add problems that can slow down your speeds.

Try connecting your Mac directly to your modem when an ethernet cable and see how fast it is. If it's drastically faster then there might be something wrong with your wireless connection.

Lastly you should find out what speeds you are paying for because you are getting ripped off if your speeds are not close to the advertised speeds.

 

[DarkestRitual]

That's on regular old 40/month broadband - roadrunner with turbo boost.

What type of wireless router do you have and how far away from it are you? Also, do you have room mates with other computers that were on the network at the same time?

 

[6string]

Just to add, if I missed it in this thread, a noisy phone line will also play havoc with internet speed.
I'm on ADSL2+
My speed went from 3.0 to 10.37 Mb/s download and .3 to .86 Mb/s upload after having a noisy phone line fixed.