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Mac Broadband Speed

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shiznit | 13:16 Wed 04th Oct 2006 | Technology
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I have noticed on PC's it tells you at what speed you are connected at e.g 2.2 mbs, how can you find this information out on a Mac when you are using Airport?

Thanks guys
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I'm not a Mac person, but one way would be to connect to a speed test site, such as

http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/

- pick a server and start the test.
Not sure exactly how accurate the readings are, though, because presumably traffic to and from their site will be affected by servers on the way. You can always google for other speed test sites.
Question Author
Thanks JerryB, I have used one of these sites, it will tell me that my upload is is something like 10kps and upload 38kps.

I am trying to find out if TalkTalk have finally pulled their fingers out and upgraded us to the 8mbs line as they are supposed to have.

So I'm still in the dark, thanks for your answer though.
Question Author
download is 10kps sorry, its all greek to me this lol
The little thing that windows tells you isn't accurate anyway; it's just an indication of the ethernet connection.

Run the speed test here, and report back the two values it gives you once complete (choose your recommended server, probably london):
http://speedtest.net/

Make sure you aren't using anything else that's using the internet while you're checking it, and no-one else is using it either if you're on a network.
Question Author
Hi fo3nix, the results were 83kbps download and 334kbps upload, apparently we are supposed to be according to the thingy on my PC pulling a 7.6 mbps, I know you say that is not accurate but thoughtg the more info you had the better

Thanks Shiz
The 334kbps sounds about right, but the 83kbps is terrible. It's not much faster than dialup. Something's definitely up there. I'd wait until tomorrow at a different time, and try the same test again (maybe mid-afternoon if possible).

Even though they quote 8mbits, that's only a maximum possible amount. Your line may be quite old and not be able to support that sort of bandwidth, and there are be other issues like the distance you are from your local exchange.
Question Author
Thanks fo3nix, will try what you said, they have supposed to be updating all the lines around here, we have had no phone for 3 flippin days, and we are only 2 km from the exchange, anyway my downloads on limewire are still damn fast so Im not too bothered at the moment.

will post tomorrow when I have tried again

Thanks
Question Author
Ok tried it again just now, and I had a broadband tuner, for optimizing performance installed, so I removed it and don't if it was that or what but now, the download is 771kbps and the upload is 365 kbps.

Sounds better, is it anywhere near what I should be pulling with this supposed 8 meg line??

Thanks again Shiz
No thats just under 1mb. Are you sure that you've closed Limewire and everything else that you download with? What sort of speeds are you getting when you say they're still damn fast?
Question Author
Ok fo3nix, I have been busy getting to the bottom of this, I understand what the different readings are now, there are a thousand k in a m.......doh, so obvious lol.

Anyway, they have been updating our lines and we are now definately on an 8mbps connection.

I have moved my airport so there are no electrical interferences, and re run the test, on average the reading is 6650, which working on my new found knowledge is 6.6 mbps, which is ok for me.


Funny thing is though the PC is running off a speedtouch modem and not the wireless router and only returns a reading of 3.5 mbps, not too bothered about that though, it's not mine lol


Thanks for all your help

Shiz

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