Disparity in speed between laptop, ipad and iphone

claire.calvert0

Prominent
Feb 3, 2018
4
0
510
I just recently had Virgin Media 200MB Super Fast Fibre installed. The engineer who installed tested download speed with speedtest on his iphone and it was showing 195-200Mbps.

I have tested using same site/app on my iPad and its showing 130Mbps. When I test with my laptop I'm getting 50-60 Mbps. What gives?

Why would there be such a gross disparity between devices when they are all connecting via wifi?
 
Solution
Usually, yes. Both of the Apple devices use wireless N (or AC if newer) on the 5 Ghz band. You can change the router channel to something that doesn't overlap with neighboring networks to try to increase the speed. Use a Wifi analyzer app like InSSIDer or something to see what's overlapping with your network.

You can also pick up a dual-band WiFi card that just pops into most laptops pretty easily for $20-30.

R_1

Estimable
Herald
if all devices have the same radio you would expect the same speeds. each device could have differing radios, specs and abilities depending on what they are. Antennae will also differ.
differing locations and interference inherent with each will vary signal strength and speeds.
in short with many variables there are many possibilities.
 

dudeman509

Estimable
Jan 23, 2015
416
1
5,210
Usually, yes. Both of the Apple devices use wireless N (or AC if newer) on the 5 Ghz band. You can change the router channel to something that doesn't overlap with neighboring networks to try to increase the speed. Use a Wifi analyzer app like InSSIDer or something to see what's overlapping with your network.

You can also pick up a dual-band WiFi card that just pops into most laptops pretty easily for $20-30.
 
Solution

Rogue Leader

Distinguished
Moderator


Yeah you need 5ghz to get those fast speeds. Same with your iPhone, if he has the newest model it will have faster WiFi.
 

claire.calvert0

Prominent
Feb 3, 2018
4
0
510


How do I know if my laptop will support 5Ghz?
 

claire.calvert0

Prominent
Feb 3, 2018
4
0
510
Ok. I realise I need to buy a new wireless card. Any recommendations on dual stream dual band PCI-based cards?
My current card is a half card with dual antennae, I assume getting a card with triple antennae will still fit into the slot and be compatible?