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MacBook much slower than MacMini

RIch-ard
Newbie
Posts: 3
Registered: ‎11-01-2020

MacBook much slower than MacMini

I use a MacMini (OS Sierra) and a MacBook Air (OS recently upgraded to Catalina) and I use wifi.  I have Plusnet fibre and have been getting download speeds for both in the 60’s.  However, recently, my MacBook has dropped to the 40’s (MacMini still in 60’s), which to me suggests a problem with the MacBook and not my Plusnet connection.  MacBook & MacMini are close to the router.  On the MacBook I use the Avira free, I’ve done a complete virus etc check and all is OK.  I’ve used “Force Quit Applications’ and with just Chrome, Thunderbird, VPN & Finder running the speed is still in the 40’s.  I’ve looked at “Activity Monitor” CPU time and nothing unusual jumps out as high usage apart from “UserEventAgent” (figure of 6 whilst Chrome is 2).   

I would be most grateful if some clever and kind person could suggest how I can get my MacBook back to the 60’s, where it used to be.  Many thanks.

5 REPLIES 5
Baldrick1
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Re: MacBook much slower than MacMini

@RIch-ard  Welcome to the forum.

It might be that your MacBook has decided to use the 2.4 rather than 5GHz band.

Try separating the bands, see. https://community.plus.net/t5/My-Router/2-4ghz-and-or-5ghz-best-practice/m-p/1351966#M840

Having done this go into the wireless network settings on both devices, try each band in turn and use the best.

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RIch-ard
Newbie
Posts: 3
Registered: ‎11-01-2020

Re: MacBook much slower than MacMini

Hi  Many thanks for your help.  I tried what you said, it didn't seem to make any difference, so I restored everything to what it was previously.  However, in my checking of speeds I noticed that the slowing down of my MacBook appears to be caused when I'm connected to my NordVPN.  So now I'm trying to fix this.  

Once again - thanks a lot for taking the trouble to help.

Rich-ard

dvorak
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Re: MacBook much slower than MacMini

Using a VPN will often reduce the apparent throughput of a connecetion due to the extra hops and throughput of their servers.
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dvorak
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Re: MacBook much slower than MacMini


Moderators Note


This topic has been moved from Everything Else to Tech Help

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RIch-ard
Newbie
Posts: 3
Registered: ‎11-01-2020

Re: MacBook much slower than MacMini

Your comments about a VPN slowing down a connection are noted - thanks.  What I don't understand is why the VPN doesn't seem to slow down the download speed to my MacMini yet it does with the MacBook.  Perhaps this was due to the particular NordVPN servers I was connected to????

Thanks again. Richard