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User profile for user: Fabio_V
Fabio_V Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

MacBook Air M1 slow on usb-c ethernet adapter

I'm running a MacBook Air 2020 (M1) and testing the network connection speed thru two different usb-c ethernet adapters. I'm connected to the internet using a 1 Gb/s FTTH link.

Using the Speedtest by Okla app, both adapters score about 720 Mbit/s and the increased CPU utilization is about 15-20% during the test.

Running the same test using a MacBook Pro 2016 I get about 920 Mbit/s (same adapters, same internet connection). And a similar result can be achieved running the same test with an iMac (late 2015) using the internal ethernet adapter. The question: why the M1 machines is so slow on network connections thru the usb-c adapter (200 Mbit/s less than the Intel MacBook and the old iMac). Any experience from your side ?

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 11.6

Posted on Sep 29, 2021 10:25 AM

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User profile for user: Fabio_V
Fabio_V Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

Posted on Nov 1, 2021 2:34 AM

I did extensive tests, connecting 3 different USB-C to Ethernet adapters to my MacBook Air and changing the configuration:

  1. standalone
  2. connected to an external monitor usb-c in dual monitor mode
  3. connected to an external monitor usb-c in clamshell mode

The results show that the monito connection influences the ethernet speed and also its stability: with Big Sur the ethernet connection was not stable in clamshell mode, always crashing when transferring large files. Monterey fixed that issue, but the ethernet speed is not stable. In my configuration, I can achieve the maximum ethernet speed working connected to the external monitor, in dual monitor mode. My conclusion is that the usb-c device drivers are still buggy on M1 models. Some improvements occurred with Monterey.

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User profile for user: Fabio_V
Fabio_V Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

Nov 1, 2021 2:34 AM in response to Mat7755

I did extensive tests, connecting 3 different USB-C to Ethernet adapters to my MacBook Air and changing the configuration:

  1. standalone
  2. connected to an external monitor usb-c in dual monitor mode
  3. connected to an external monitor usb-c in clamshell mode

The results show that the monito connection influences the ethernet speed and also its stability: with Big Sur the ethernet connection was not stable in clamshell mode, always crashing when transferring large files. Monterey fixed that issue, but the ethernet speed is not stable. In my configuration, I can achieve the maximum ethernet speed working connected to the external monitor, in dual monitor mode. My conclusion is that the usb-c device drivers are still buggy on M1 models. Some improvements occurred with Monterey.

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User profile for user: Mat7755
Mat7755
User level: Level 1
4 points

Oct 31, 2021 7:45 AM in response to Fabio_V

I have the same problem . Mac book pro mid 2015 is faster then a brand new M1 x. I tried with an apple cable Ethernet gigabit to thunderbolt 1 for the first laptop, and a belkin cable Ethernet gigabit to usb c. The first is faster. Same connection, same Ethernet cable. I thought the problem was using a belkin cable instead of an original apple. But with your test it seem to be a problem with the new Mac book pro

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MacBook Air M1 slow on usb-c ethernet adapter

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