Mac Mini WiFi 2018/20 is weak?

[pers0n]

I got one that was refurbished and the wifi was spotty, it would connect and disconnect constantly right away. I looked at the ping to my router and it would be anywhere from 3ms to 900ms and many times no packets at all, so I returned it thinking it hadn't been tested enough and was faulty.

I got a brand new Mac Mini 2018/20 and the wifi again is buggy. The pings are anywhere from 1ms to 200ms, but no lossed packets and most of the time the packets are between 2-10ms. Internet test speed was 5-30mbps. I notice when I had it behind my monitors, it wouldnt connect to wifi at all. So I brought it up front. Is it really that picky? Like I have to have in the open on my lap or something?

I have a 2012 MacBookPro right next to it and it pings 1-2ms easily, no issues. Internet test speed was 120mbps.

I have a work computer 2017 MacBookPro on the other side and again, 1-2ms pings, internet at 120mbps.

I honestly don't know what the issue is. Is the Mac Mini's WiFi just really bad and spotty? I don't want to use ethernet. I hate to return another Mac Mini, but looks Like I am going to have to build a new PC and run Windows 10 or maybe Linux.

 

[mmomega]

Yep, the wifi, compared to other Mini's I have, hell any Mac I have is really bad and where this one is, doesn't have ethernet, I will run a line there eventually.

Also if you put Big Sur on it, be prepared for even worse wifi from the little guy.

 

[yellowhelicopter]

I notice when I had it behind my monitors, it wouldnt connect to wifi at all. So I brought it up front. Is it really that picky?

Yes.

I honestly don't know what the issue is.

Hardware oversight by Apple, which they pretend does not exist. How the hell it could pass the test phase is beyond me.

 

[pers0n]

Yeah I read others just buy a usb WiFi stick, but for $1400 brand new, this should work with no hacks.