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Q: Wifi in OSX works slowly than Bootcamp

Strange issue...

I've an iMac mid 2013 with the latest version of OSX (10.11.4), all connected with fiber (300/20 mbps). I've done speedtest on both OS (bootcamped Windows 10 and OSX) and strangely on Windows wifi seems to run faster.

OSX: 190 mbps dl ; 19 mbps ul

WIN: 290 mbps dl ; 19 mbps ul

In both cases I'm connected with 802.11ac protocol.

Do you know if there's some issue/incompatibility to check on OSX side? Otherwise is quite absurd

Thank you

iMac (27-inch, Late 2013), OS X El Capitan (10.11)

Posted on Apr 23, 2016 9:05 AM

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Q: Wifi in OSX works slowly than Bootcamp

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  • by Japib,

    Japib Japib Apr 23, 2016 9:28 AM in response to Layout
    Level 4 (2,798 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 23, 2016 9:28 AM in response to Layout

    Hi, since the difference is only a difference of an order of magnitude of 2, it is not easy to judge of any issues, especially since your windows wifi speed is limited by your bandwidth.

    In order to determine if there really is an issue (though 200Mbps is not that bad either), you need to do "wifi throughput speed tests", which measure LAN speeds, rather than "bandwidth speed tests". Some internet provider routers have the option to do so (in France for ex, the Freebox V6 can do it), and if not, you  would need to install a throughput utility on each OS, though it is going to be a pain for you to have to find and install one for OS X and one for Windows.

    If you really want to find out, make more speed tests, and if the same numbers keep coming, make throughput tests.

    Cheers

    James

  • by Layout,

    Layout Layout Apr 24, 2016 2:11 AM in response to Japib
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 24, 2016 2:11 AM in response to Japib

    I've done several speed tests and I've got always the same differences between Windows and OSX. I cannot find any tool able to make throughput test, but I've checked the TX rate value on both OS. This is always around 750/800 Mbits (thanks to 802.11ac connection) and it's the same between Win and OSX.

    Therefore it seems to be an OS problem... it's really stupid that two OS act in a different way on the SAME connection.

  • by Esquared,

    Esquared Esquared Apr 24, 2016 2:25 AM in response to Layout
    Level 6 (8,415 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 24, 2016 2:25 AM in response to Layout
  • by dialabrain,

    dialabrain dialabrain Apr 24, 2016 3:16 AM in response to Layout
    Level 5 (6,171 points)
    Mac App Store
    Apr 24, 2016 3:16 AM in response to Layout

    Layout wrote:

     

    Do you know if there's some issue/incompatibility to check on OSX side?

    It's not an OSX issue…

    4849966677.jpg

    What I find strange is the large difference in your download and upload speeds. Many providers have changed to identical DL & UL speeds although some still have upload speeds that are half the download speed. I wasn't aware there are some where the download speed is 16 times the upload speed.

  • by Esquared,

    Esquared Esquared Apr 24, 2016 3:26 AM in response to dialabrain
    Level 6 (8,415 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 24, 2016 3:26 AM in response to dialabrain

    dialabrain wrote:

    What I find strange is the large difference in your download and upload speeds. Many providers have changed to identical DL & UL speeds although some still have upload speeds that are half the download speed. I wasn't aware there are some where the download speed is 16 times the upload speed.

    That is not uncommon: 'old-fashioned' cable connections (i.e. non-fiber ones) are usually asymmetric. Mine is 200/20.

  • by dialabrain,

    dialabrain dialabrain Apr 24, 2016 3:29 AM in response to Esquared
    Level 5 (6,171 points)
    Mac App Store
    Apr 24, 2016 3:29 AM in response to Esquared

    Well, I learned something.

  • by Layout,

    Layout Layout Apr 24, 2016 6:58 AM in response to dialabrain
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 24, 2016 6:58 AM in response to dialabrain

    It's a Vodafone Italy marketing choice. They sell a REAL fiber connection (FTTH) with 300 mbits download but with 20 mbits upload. For me it's enough for all-days duties...

  • by Layout,

    Layout Layout Apr 24, 2016 11:49 AM in response to Layout
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 24, 2016 11:49 AM in response to Layout

    OSX (after reconfiguring wifi using OSXDaily tips):

    5275127047.png

    Windows-bootcamp (10 mins later):

    5275317553.png

    There's always a gap of 60 mbits...

  • by dialabrain,

    dialabrain dialabrain Apr 24, 2016 12:15 PM in response to Layout
    Level 5 (6,171 points)
    Mac App Store
    Apr 24, 2016 12:15 PM in response to Layout

    FWIW, both are slower than they should be. Are you running an AV program on your Mac?

  • by Layout,

    Layout Layout Apr 24, 2016 2:23 PM in response to dialabrain
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 24, 2016 2:23 PM in response to dialabrain

    No...

    The Window's result maybe low than usual because the source was a little bit busy, because normally i've got above 280 mbps...

  • by John Lockwood,

    John Lockwood John Lockwood Apr 25, 2016 5:39 AM in response to Layout
    Level 6 (9,309 points)
    Servers Enterprise
    Apr 25, 2016 5:39 AM in response to Layout

    If it was a local file transfer then I might suspect the fact that the Mac Finder is notoriously inefficient compared to Windows, however in this case we are only looking at Internet speed testing and yes in theory one might expect similar results.

     

    I don't think it will apply here but Apple specifically prevent using 'wide' channels over 2.4GHz WiFi. Some Windows vendors do allow using wide channels on 2.4GHz. As there are only three non-overlapping channels on 2.4GHz it is considered anti-social behaviour to try and use two of those three at the same time. WiFi on 5GHz has a lot more available channels so using two of them to make a 'wide' channel is allowed and is supported by Apple.

     

    The most likely issue here is how efficient OS X itself is, or Adobe Flash on OS X or the web-browser being used on OS X. It would appear at least one of these is slower than the equivalent on Windows. It would be worth trying an alternative web-browser on the Mac and to make sure it is up-to-date.

     

    PS. Here in the UK alleged Fibre Internet services like BT Infinity and Virgin Media Fibre broadband aka. Vivid are not real fibre-optic connections, the BT Infinity product is overwhelmingly delivered via 'ye olde' twisted pair using VDSL, and Virgin Media Vivid is delivered via Coax cable using the DOCSIS standard. Ironically even though Virgin Media 'claim' to have a superior system because they use DOCSIS and coax cable and can indeed deliver a significantly faster download speed they actually give you a slower upload speed than even standard ADSL Max.  It is also sadly common in the UK that many genuine Fibre to the home services are still asymmetric - presuming you are one of the minute handful of people able to get it.