Broadband line speed test

[Ian@1904]

I suspect that this is a first world problem but I am slightly puzzled.
I have a replacement router on order from Virgin Media, and we are currently connecting to the router via SWMBO's Apple time machine which has an ethernet cable from time machine to router. When I do a line test using iPad, Mac, or a Samsung phone the speed comes up as 100 mb which is what I pay for. However connecting by notebook, a Dell Inspiron 13 7000 series, only achieves a line speed of circa 35mb. All devices are connecting via wifi.

Is there some setting on my Dell that would affect line speed?

[barnaby_s]

It might be a wireless protocol issue, I had a memory of hearing something about them and not autonegotiating the correct speed and a quick search found:

https://www.dell.com/community/Networking-Internet-Bluetooth/BRAND-NEW-Inspiron-7000-WiFi-is-Horrendous/td-p/4181199

[Ian@1904]

It might be a wireless protocol issue, I had a memory of hearing something about them and not autonegotiating the correct speed and a quick search found:
https://www.dell.com/community/Netwo...s/td-p/4181199

Thank you.
I will look into that


Sent from my SM-A505FN using Tapatalk

[Stuart Keasley]

Speed over WiFi will be limited by hardware of the device you're connecting with, so yes, sometimes that will mean the WiFi link is slower than the broadband connection.

[Adrian]

I've used inSSIDer to identify band clashes from local wifi's and tweak both 2.4 and 5gHz ranges.

[wibble32]

On my WiFi card I can select the speed.
At 2.4Ghz I get less than 1/2 the download speed I get at 5Ghz.

Rgds

[barnaby_s]

As Adrian said it is worth checking for other people using the same channels, there are apps for Android and iOS that will check for what channels are in use like WiFi Analyser for Android,

[dwhitlow]

why worry?

if your Dell says 35Mb then be happy and use 35Mb. Will you ever need more?

My current (cheap) ADSL service delivers 11Mb download (just tested it) and it does all we need.

Whilst there are technical reasons that might allow you to get more do you actually need it?

[AxeMan]

There are different standards for wireless, the Dell probably supports only an older version.

https://www.actiontec.com/wifihelp/evolution-wi-fi-standards-look-802-11abgnac/

These speeds should be treated with a pinch of salt. They're absolute maximums.

Sent from my LG-H990 using Tapatalk

[steelemonkey]

why worry?

if your Dell says 35Mb then be happy and use 35Mb. Will you ever need more?

My current (cheap) ADSL service delivers 11Mb download (just tested it) and it does all we need.

Whilst there are technical reasons that might allow you to get more do you actually need it?

I don't even know how to check my speed. It is slower than my work PC but otherwise ????

[John63]

I don't even know how to check my speed. It is slower than my work PC but otherwise ????

Lots of options like this

https://www.speedtest.net/

[Ian@1904]

On my WiFi card I can select the speed.
At 2.4Ghz I get less than 1/2 the download speed I get at 5Ghz.

Rgds

I am on 5Ghz

[Moleshome]

How are you checking the speed Ian? Is this just the link speed that the computer is reporting or your actual download speed?

[Ian@1904]

How are you checking the speed Ian? Is this just the link speed that the computer is reporting or your actual download speed?

I used a couple of broadband test sites. I obtained similar results from between different devices. So my phone on two different tests measured 100 mbs and my notebook 35 mbs. All tests had only one machine running at a time

[Neilwood]

More than likely the Wifi adaptor in the notebook is limited in capability - have a look at the Wifi drivers and think about reinstalling them. Either that or disable the internal adaptor and use a USB one