iPad 27mbps (WifFi) v. iMac 12mbps (Ethernet): What's wrong here?

[#1]

Currently, on my desktop Mac with an ethernet connection I am only getting a 12mbps download speed, however on my iPad working off the WiFi feed I'm getting 27mbps.
Obviously the desktop speeed is way down, but shouldn't I be getting the optimum with a cable connection.

[#2]

Is that both at the same time? If so it could be that the iPad on wifi is taking most of the connection bandwidth?
Otherwise I can only suggest it's an issue with the desktop machine, unless there's anything else on ethernet getting the same kind of speeds?

[#3]

Thanks for that Matt.  No, the desk based iMac was tested before I introdued the iPad.
I'll do some rebooting, reconnecting when I'm at home this evening.  Possible see if using another port on the router has an effect.
As you suggest,  there was clearly a 27mbps feed avaialable.

[#4]

Are you using any plug ins on your browser? On my iMac I get slower results on Chrome / Firefox which have various plug ins used, than Safari.
If that's the case try using a clean browser just for the speed test. Also make sure that they're using the same testing server.
Which site was it?

[#5]

Don't forget to try a different ethernet cable if you have a suitable one as well as tryting a different port on the router (unless dvorak's suggestion solves the issue)

[#6]

Quote from: Matt

Is that both at the same time? If so it could be that the iPad on wifi is taking most of the connection bandwidth? Otherwise I can only suggest it's an issue with the desktop machine, unless there's anything else on ethernet getting the same kind of speeds?

What happens if you connect both mac products via wi-fi at the same time ?

[#7]

Thank you for members' input so far.  Here's an update:
1. I've established with a Wifi Signal that Plusnet/netgear output is good and strong.  Currently going up to 35mbps.
2. On the desk iMac I've made comparisons between the Wifi and Ethernet connections.  They are giving identical results.  I'm using the  spee tester on Thinkbroadband.com, btw.
3. I have checked the System Preferences and followed the diagnostics but no issue has been identified.
4. ... and finally, for now, I've run tests through Safari as well as Google Chrome.

What next? 

[#8]

Don't use the tbb speed tester, always given me poor results.
Use speedtest.net, seems to be much more accurate and reliable.

[#9]

Thanks for your help everyone.  Case now seems to be solved.
It did involve purchasing a Mac Checker product which found that there was a whole lot of gunk to be cleared out of the plughole so to speak.
'Don't these products always tell you that, anyway?', I hear you ask.
Possibly, but I'm now back on the ethernet connection and getting 32.26mbps down / 8.39mbps while my iPad is getting 26.83/8.39 on the Wifi.
This machine (my first iMac) I've had for about six months so it was time I'd gone through this process in any event.  It's been a useful learning curve too.
Thanks to each of you that provided input.
Cheers,
Sandymount

[#10]

Which Mac Checker product did you use?

[#11]

Mac Keeper2012

[#12]

OK, I've used that too, a while back.
Removes too much for my liking, I'm wary of removing caches.
SInce uninstalled
Glad it helped you though.

[#13]

Is that the main process it does then, just cache cleaning? Seems a waste of money seeing as there's freeware that does this already, Onyx comes to mind.

[#14]

Onyx seemed to mess up my iMac when I used it in the past.

[#15]

I've never had to do anything like this to keep my Macs fine, even after installing OS updates year after year.