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Bobosita

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jan 3, 2018
112
40
Georgia
Hi all, is it normal than Wi-fi transmit rate/speed randomly changes from 5Mb/s to 300Mb/s, I think my Air has Wi-fi card hardware problem, but want to be sure to change it. Thanx!
 
With network speed, there are usually 2 measurements: download and upload.

Other factors are important when quoting upload and download speed:

  • the Wifi protocol used (A, B, G, N, 2.4 Ghz, 5 Ghz, WPA, WPA2, etc.)
  • Ethernet protocol used (Ethernet, fast Ethernet, Gigabit, etc.)
  • website or tool used to measure speed
  • download/upload speeds as per the Internet Service Provider (ISP)
  • WiFi signal strength
 
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With network speed, there are usually 2 measurements: download and upload.

Other factors are important when quoting upload and download speed:

  • the Wifi protocol used (A, B, G, N, 2.4 Ghz, 5 Ghz, WPA, WPA2, etc.)
  • Ethernet protocol used (Ethernet, fast Ethernet, Gigabit, etc.)
  • website or tool used to measure speed
  • download/upload speeds as per the Internet Service Provider (ISP)
  • WiFi signal strength

I think @Bobosita is referring to the TX Rate listed in the expanded Wifi info dropdown via option-clicking the wifi icon. See https://osxdaily.com/2011/06/15/get-detailed-wifi-info-from-the-menu-bar/

As to the question asked - @Bobosita, I suggest you try this out at a couple alternate wifi locations, even if perhaps you sit/stand outside to continue social distancing. If you're seeing the same behavior repeating on different wifi networks with all else remaining static (not moving around, strong wifi signal, etc) then I'd suspect your computer.
 
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I think @Bobosita is referring to the TX Rate listed in the expanded Wifi info dropdown via option-clicking the wifi icon. See https://osxdaily.com/2011/06/15/get-detailed-wifi-info-from-the-menu-bar/

As to the question asked - @Bobosita, I suggest you try this out at a couple alternate wifi locations, even if perhaps you sit/stand outside to continue social distancing. If you're seeing the same behavior repeating on different wifi networks with all else remaining static (not moving around, strong wifi signal, etc) then I'd suspect your computer.
I don't see expanded Wifi information on Catalina. The linked article is from 2011 so this may be why I don't have the option?
 
I think @Bobosita is referring to the TX Rate listed in the expanded Wifi info dropdown via option-clicking the wifi icon. See https://osxdaily.com/2011/06/15/get-detailed-wifi-info-from-the-menu-bar/

As to the question asked - @Bobosita, I suggest you try this out at a couple alternate wifi locations, even if perhaps you sit/stand outside to continue social distancing. If you're seeing the same behavior repeating on different wifi networks with all else remaining static (not moving around, strong wifi signal, etc) then I'd suspect your computer.
Thanx a lot, I tried, transmit rate still changes 5 to 300 mb/s on 5 GHz, so I've already bought Wi fi card and waiting for delivery, before it will arrive ill use USB Wi fi "thing" :)
 
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