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Internet Speed with Thunderbolt to Ethernet Adapter

G

giraut

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Mar 2, 2007
9
0
I just upgraded my Verizon Internet speed from 75/75 to 150/150. My first speed tests conducted while I was connected via wifi gave me lower speeds than I'd had with the 75/75 option: about 50 download / 65 upload. We mostly connect via wifi, but I connected via a hard ethernet connection and speed was a full 150/150. That's the good news. But.

1. Suppose I want to create a hardwire connection to my router from my MBA, and I purchase Apple's Thunderbolt to Ethernet Adapter Cable. Will I see 150/150 speeds more or less to my MBA, or will something screwy happen in the process of going from ethernet to Thunderbolt? In other words, I don't want to spend $29 on the adapter, only to find that I'm not getting 150/150 (more or less). Are there settings I have to change in network preferences in order for this to work properly? Do I have to disable my wifi connection in order for it to work properly?

2. My MBA is 4 feet from the router. No microwave is on in the house. No other computer is being used. No cordless phone is being used. But I get 50 Mbps download (or worse!) through wifi, when I get 150 hard-wired. Why?

Thanks.

Giraut
 
I have 4 years of experience with the TB to Ethernet adapter on my 2011 11" MBA. There is no speed lost through the adapter, I can assure you. Had clients with Gb wired connections and I got full speed from them. That adapter is a quality piece of kit.

Unfortunately I can't help you with the Wifi you're experiencing. Did you get a new modem from Verizon when you upgraded your subscription? If so, look into seeing if it could use a firmware update. That happened to me when switching ISP's last year. The new modem I got was on old firmware and I was having problems with it that a firmware update fixed right up.

Even if you've still got the same modem, it might still be worth a try, can't hurt and might help!
 
The thunderbolt to ethernet will give you full 1Gbps speed without problems. But don't settle for Apple's USB to ethernet adapter, if you want speed, since it is only a 100Mbps adapter.
 
z31fanatic said:
Did you change your wireless router when you upgraded?

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Is that true? I never knew that. Hard to believe that they would do that.
Click to expand...

Yes, the Apple USB to ethernet adapter is only 10/100. It's USB 2.0, assuming it hasn't been updated as USB 2.0 is "only" 480 megabits/second.
 
Are you sure? I took this from Apple's website

Apple Thunderbolt to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter

Use the Apple Thunderbolt to Gigabit Ethernet Adapter to easily connect to a high-performance Gigabit Ethernet network. Small and compact, it connects to the Thunderbolt port on your Mac and provides an RJ-45 port that supports 10/100/1000BASE-T networks.
Click to expand...
 
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