Bpasdar

Q: Macbook Air Extremely Slow Wireless

Hello All,

Got my brand new MB-Air and from the get-go noticed extremely slow wireless performance. I did a bit of digging and here is what I found.

The MB-Air works OK with cheap (consumer) wireless APs, however when used in conjunction with the commercial APs most of which use the Atheros chipset the performance is horrible. I found that when connecting to APs that use Atheros' commercial chipset, the MB-Air connects with 802.11 G specs instead of N even when the signal metrics are excellent such as -39 RSSI.

Moreover, even With the 802.11 G connection at 54Mbps the performance is both sluggish and latent. Small file transfers have a 50/50 shot at working and large file transfers seem to die reliably. Albeit this could be an issue with Apple's implementation of SMB / Samba which is rather poor.

I have tried to turn off Bluetooth to see if my experience is different. We'll see.

I would be interested in feedback from people who are also experiencing the same poor wireless performance to learn the chipset of the AP they are having issues with.

By-the-way -- I will take a fix, if someone has come up with one. However my guess is that this is an engineering issue that Apple has to fix.

BP

Macbook Air Late 2010, Mac OS X (10.6.4)

Posted on Nov 6, 2010 4:14 AM

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Q: Macbook Air Extremely Slow Wireless

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  • by Mark Hodge1,

    Mark Hodge1 Mark Hodge1 Mar 26, 2013 3:00 PM in response to Bpasdar
    Level 1 (15 points)
    Mar 26, 2013 3:00 PM in response to Bpasdar

    If you have your MacBook Air keyboard replaced and your Wifi goes from really good to crap then there is a very good chance the antenna has not been plugged back in properly by the service person.

     

    I had that - strong signal being recieved, but absolutely crap speed 0.12MB's up, 0.32MB/sec! down testing  via speedtest.com from within Windows 7 and Mac OS X 10.8, at home and at work. I knew it would be an antenna issue from the figures.

     

    A one minute chat and half an hour with the same service person and all sweet again

     

    Cheers,

    Mark

  • by arthurs433,

    arthurs433 arthurs433 May 12, 2013 9:31 PM in response to Bpasdar
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 12, 2013 9:31 PM in response to Bpasdar

    Be sure to check your DNS servers. That is often the problem.

  • by husky1010,

    husky1010 husky1010 May 13, 2013 12:42 AM in response to sulyeiro
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 13, 2013 12:42 AM in response to sulyeiro

    In my case disabling blootooth helped plus manually updating wifi channels into highest possible frequency on weekly basis plus deleting cookies and other unnecessary data stored on my mac on 2-3 day basis.

    Good luck

  • by aaa10180,

    aaa10180 aaa10180 May 13, 2013 9:33 PM in response to Bpasdar
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 13, 2013 9:33 PM in response to Bpasdar

    after trying many solutions to fix my internet problem I end up with that macbook air is the worst thing i have bought in my life !!

  • by arthurs433,

    arthurs433 arthurs433 May 13, 2013 9:41 PM in response to aaa10180
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 13, 2013 9:41 PM in response to aaa10180

    aaa10180: I have used a lot of computers; The MBA is top in its league. You must be overlooking something or your internet is the problem. What have you tried so far?

  • by mel_mike_mac,

    mel_mike_mac mel_mike_mac May 31, 2013 4:10 PM in response to ESanchez
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 31, 2013 4:10 PM in response to ESanchez

    Same solution for me on brand new MB Air 13".  With NetGear wireless router set to Auto channel selection internet connection was patchy and very slow on the Air while all other Apple devices were fine (iMac, MacBook Pro, iPad, iPhone 4 and 5).  Changed channel to 6 and now working as well on the MB Air.

  • by Poison_the_well,

    Poison_the_well Poison_the_well Jun 8, 2013 12:50 AM in response to William Kucharski
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 8, 2013 12:50 AM in response to William Kucharski

    don't risk messing with the drivers

  • by Poison_the_well,

    Poison_the_well Poison_the_well Jun 8, 2013 12:52 AM in response to arthurs433
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 8, 2013 12:52 AM in response to arthurs433

    computer good but wifi has uNREAL problems...have tried a million different things, computer good but the wifi technology is bad....mostly with Cox communications which has mac compatiability issues.....

    might be different with an apple router, but no guarantees there and no help from apple support or the store...apple store does not do diddly squat they are just on E and tripping balls .... computer is good but wifi has serious  traffic issues

  • by Poison_the_well,

    Poison_the_well Poison_the_well Jun 8, 2013 12:59 AM in response to byrne1234
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 8, 2013 12:59 AM in response to byrne1234

    Yes support is a joke and when I first got my computer I had 90 days free, and their troubelshooting was useless, all that money and they went through the most trivial solutions It was insulting...and they did not even sugget the simplest of solutions...the only one they did suggest was removing extensions, and they acted like that was the whole reason, well it's not, plus I only use ADBLOCK which is a good extension because without it I still get pop ups....here are the solutions I have come across in random order

    1. Remove extensions (adblock should be the only one you need if that)

    2. renew DHCP lease via  Apple~system preferences~network~tcp'~renew DHCP lease

    3. remove ALL book marks!!! This feature slows it all down because Safari has to load each bookmark

    4. ALLOW cookies, NEVER block cookies because this will keep logged data there for future use, there are some risks associated with this but I tried this and it was effective

    5. click on the wifi bar so it will "Search for networks''...will 'jumpstart' your wifi

    6. reset safari

    7. don't use google chrome it is garbage and even slower than safari and less safe

    8. don't call tech support they have neglected this issue and it is unacceptable

    9. remove all favorite site or frequent sites

     

    allowing cookies, removing all bookmarks, and removing frequent sites worked well, eliminate extensions, let me know what you think once you try this, much better than what tech support told me, they were checking random volumes for internal errors when this is probably an apple programming error with their wifi....one thing I haven't tried is an apple router, just more $ i don't have

     

    i hope this helps lemme know

  • by Poison_the_well,

    Poison_the_well Poison_the_well Jun 8, 2013 1:01 AM in response to briller23
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 8, 2013 1:01 AM in response to briller23

    I didn't download the new OS i use Lion 10.7.5 the latest Lion, didn't buy snow leopard because I heard it is SLOW LEOPARD! the ads are lame and for people who have their mac lives and mac chat and other useless garbage no one cares about, wifi is the most important thing for our internet lives....so try below..

     

    Yes support is a joke and when I first got my computer I had 90 days free, and their troubelshooting was useless, all that money and they went through the most trivial solutions It was insulting...and they did not even sugget the simplest of solutions...the only one they did suggest was removing extensions, and they acted like that was the whole reason, well it's not, plus I only use ADBLOCK which is a good extension because without it I still get pop ups....here are the solutions I have come across in random order

    1. Remove extensions (adblock should be the only one you need if that)

    2. renew DHCP lease via  Apple~system preferences~network~tcp'~renew DHCP lease

    3. remove ALL book marks!!! This feature slows it all down because Safari has to load each bookmark

    4. ALLOW cookies, NEVER block cookies because this will keep logged data there for future use, there are some risks associated with this but I tried this and it was effective

    5. click on the wifi bar so it will "Search for networks''...will 'jumpstart' your wifi

    6. reset safari

    7. don't use google chrome it is garbage and even slower than safari and less safe

    8. don't call tech support they have neglected this issue and it is unacceptable

    9. remove all favorite site or frequent sites

    10. bluetooth off

     

    allowing cookies, removing all bookmarks, and removing frequent sites worked well, eliminate extensions, let me know what you think once you try this, much better than what tech support told me, they were checking random volumes for internal errors when this is probably an apple programming error with their wifi....one thing I haven't tried is an apple router, just more $ i don't have

     

    i hope this helps lemme know

  • by Poison_the_well,

    Poison_the_well Poison_the_well Jun 8, 2013 1:02 AM in response to Bpasdar
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 8, 2013 1:02 AM in response to Bpasdar

    Yes support is a joke and when I first got my computer I had 90 days free, and their troubelshooting was useless, all that money and they went through the most trivial solutions It was insulting...and they did not even sugget the simplest of solutions...the only one they did suggest was removing extensions, and they acted like that was the whole reason, well it's not, plus I only use ADBLOCK which is a good extension because without it I still get pop ups....here are the solutions I have come across in random order

    1. Remove extensions (adblock should be the only one you need if that)

    2. renew DHCP lease via  Apple~system preferences~network~tcp'~renew DHCP lease

    3. remove ALL book marks!!! This feature slows it all down because Safari has to load each bookmark

    4. ALLOW cookies, NEVER block cookies because this will keep logged data there for future use, there are some risks associated with this but I tried this and it was effective

    5. click on the wifi bar so it will "Search for networks''...will 'jumpstart' your wifi

    6. reset safari

    7. don't use google chrome it is garbage and even slower than safari and less safe

    8. don't call tech support they have neglected this issue and it is unacceptable

    9. remove all favorite site or frequent sites

    10. bluetooth off

     

    allowing cookies, removing all bookmarks, and removing frequent sites worked well, eliminate extensions, let me know what you think once you try this, much better than what tech support told me, they were checking random volumes for internal errors when this is probably an apple programming error with their wifi....one thing I haven't tried is an apple router, just more $ i don't have

     

    i hope this helps lemme know

  • by Poison_the_well,

    Poison_the_well Poison_the_well Jun 8, 2013 1:03 AM in response to Bpasdar
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 8, 2013 1:03 AM in response to Bpasdar

    Yes support is a joke and when I first got my computer I had 90 days free, and their troubelshooting was useless, all that money and they went through the most trivial solutions It was insulting...and they did not even sugget the simplest of solutions...the only one they did suggest was removing extensions, and they acted like that was the whole reason, well it's not, plus I only use ADBLOCK which is a good extension because without it I still get pop ups....here are the solutions I have come across in random order

    1. Remove extensions (adblock should be the only one you need if that)

    2. renew DHCP lease via  Apple~system preferences~network~tcp'~renew DHCP lease

    3. remove ALL book marks!!! This feature slows it all down because Safari has to load each bookmark

    4. ALLOW cookies, NEVER block cookies because this will keep logged data there for future use, there are some risks associated with this but I tried this and it was effective

    5. click on the wifi bar so it will "Search for networks''...will 'jumpstart' your wifi

    6. reset safari

    7. don't use google chrome it is garbage and even slower than safari and less safe

    8. don't call tech support they have neglected this issue and it is unacceptable

    9. remove all favorite site or frequent sites

    10. bluetooth off

     

    allowing cookies, removing all bookmarks, and removing frequent sites worked well, eliminate extensions, let me know what you think once you try this, much better than what tech support told me, they were checking random volumes for internal errors when this is probably an apple programming error with their wifi....one thing I haven't tried is an apple router, just more $ i don't have

     

    i hope this helps lemme know...my download speed is topped out at 17 mpbs which my general max from the server COX COMMUNICATIONS! COX *** !

  • by Poison_the_well,

    Poison_the_well Poison_the_well Jun 8, 2013 1:03 AM in response to byrne1234
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 8, 2013 1:03 AM in response to byrne1234

    Yes support is a joke and when I first got my computer I had 90 days free, and their troubelshooting was useless, all that money and they went through the most trivial solutions It was insulting...and they did not even sugget the simplest of solutions...the only one they did suggest was removing extensions, and they acted like that was the whole reason, well it's not, plus I only use ADBLOCK which is a good extension because without it I still get pop ups....here are the solutions I have come across in random order

    1. Remove extensions (adblock should be the only one you need if that)

    2. renew DHCP lease via  Apple~system preferences~network~tcp'~renew DHCP lease

    3. remove ALL book marks!!! This feature slows it all down because Safari has to load each bookmark

    4. ALLOW cookies, NEVER block cookies because this will keep logged data there for future use, there are some risks associated with this but I tried this and it was effective

    5. click on the wifi bar so it will "Search for networks''...will 'jumpstart' your wifi

    6. reset safari

    7. don't use google chrome it is garbage and even slower than safari and less safe

    8. don't call tech support they have neglected this issue and it is unacceptable

    9. remove all favorite site or frequent sites

    10. bluetooth off

     

    allowing cookies, removing all bookmarks, and removing frequent sites worked well, eliminate extensions, let me know what you think once you try this, much better than what tech support told me, they were checking random volumes for internal errors when this is probably an apple programming error with their wifi....one thing I haven't tried is an apple router, just more $ i don't have

     

    i hope this helps lemme know

  • by arthurs433,

    arthurs433 arthurs433 Jun 8, 2013 1:04 AM in response to Poison_the_well
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 8, 2013 1:04 AM in response to Poison_the_well

    Have you checked your DNS servers? This often time the worst offender of having slow internet. Try changing them. 8.8.8.8.    & 8.8.4.4 work well. There are many others depending on your area.

  • by Poison_the_well,

    Poison_the_well Poison_the_well Jun 8, 2013 1:04 AM in response to Bpasdar
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 8, 2013 1:04 AM in response to Bpasdar

    Yes support is a joke and when I first got my computer I had 90 days free, and their troubelshooting was useless, all that money and they went through the most trivial solutions It was insulting...and they did not even sugget the simplest of solutions...the only one they did suggest was removing extensions, and they acted like that was the whole reason, well it's not, plus I only use ADBLOCK which is a good extension because without it I still get pop ups....here are the solutions I have come across in random order

    1. Remove extensions (adblock should be the only one you need if that)

    2. renew DHCP lease via  Apple~system preferences~network~tcp'~renew DHCP lease

    3. remove ALL book marks!!! This feature slows it all down because Safari has to load each bookmark

    4. ALLOW cookies, NEVER block cookies because this will keep logged data there for future use, there are some risks associated with this but I tried this and it was effective

    5. click on the wifi bar so it will "Search for networks''...will 'jumpstart' your wifi

    6. reset safari

    7. don't use google chrome it is garbage and even slower than safari and less safe

    8. don't call tech support they have neglected this issue and it is unacceptable

    9. remove all favorite site or frequent sites

    10. bluetooth off

     

    allowing cookies, removing all bookmarks, and removing frequent sites worked well, eliminate extensions, let me know what you think once you try this, much better than what tech support told me, they were checking random volumes for internal errors when this is probably an apple programming error with their wifi....one thing I haven't tried is an apple router, just more $ i don't have

     

    i hope this helps lemme know

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