Slow internet connection

I have had this same issue since the most recent software update. I discovered that Java was left out of the most recent update and since I use Java, I reinstalled for Lion. I'm wondering if it's related to either the software update or the reinstall of Java.

try switching off photo stream in System Preferences > iCloud

This seems to throttle the internet connection and when I switched it off, it fixed my issues instantly!

On my iPad, if I turn off Photo Stream, it says it'll delete all my photos on Photo Stream (whatever that is). Will doing that delete all the photos I have on my iPad?