Very different download speeds on two computers

[desertman]

Friends of mine have two pretty similar MacBook Pro's - one with Sierra, one with High Sierra. The Sierra MacBook has since some time usually a very slow Internet connection (less than 5 Mbps down) while the High Sierra MacBook has most of the time more than 40 Mbps down. Both MacBooks are in the same room.

I'm going there this afternoon to have a look but have to admit that I have so far no idea what could be the reason for this strange behavior.

Any tips here what I should be looking for? Thanks.

 

[chabig]

Make sure they are both connected to the same network!

 

[desertman]

They are.

 

[chabig]

You're already there? Make sure one isn't connected to the 2.4GHz network while the other is on 5GHz. Check the Network Preference pane for similar settings, IP addresses, etc., use the same speed test tool, maybe take a look at Activity Monitor, System Profiler. I can't think of anything else.

 

[jpn]

You're already there? Make sure one isn't connected to the 2.4GHz network while the other is on 5GHz. Check the Network Preference pane for similar settings, IP addresses, etc., use the same speed test tool, maybe take a look at Activity Monitor, System Profiler. I can't think of anything else.

good advice.

unless the WiFi (equivalent of a ) system administrator set up the 2.4 and 5GHz to have different names then it is difficult to detect this possibility. reset it up so that 2.4 and 5 have different names.
then in Network Preferences on both macs delete the memorized networks and re-enter the passwords of the "same network" to be sure the devices are really on same network.

 

[chabig]

...unless the WiFi (equivalent of a ) system administrator set up the 2.4 and 5GHz to have different names then it is difficult to detect this possibility.

Hold down the option key while looking at the WiFi Menu Extra. It'll tell you what channel it's on and whether it's 2.4Ghz or 5GHz.

 

[Funsize93]

Power cycle your router. Do some more testing and isolating. Disconnect all devices from the network and try each one connected separately. Are they getting the same speeds when one device is the only connected device? providing internet access to a device is the routers job, It may be prioritising one of the devices.