wifi speed in Intel Mac Mini

[Pinelli]

I've noticed that when running OSX 10.4.x, my wifi connection is 54Mbps, yet when I boot into Windows XP, it reaches 108Mbps. I am running a Netgear WTG624 wireless router, which is capable of running at 108Mbps

Any way of boosting the speed of the OSX connection? Any explanation for this?

No real reason, just curious. For some reason, I just like big numbers

 

[Cave Man]

I think your Windows is misleading to you. The minis ship with 802.11g only. Pop it open and inspect the card - it'll only have a single antenna.

 

[Pinelli]

I understand that it is 802.11g. The standard 802.11g is 54MBps, but some routers run a slightly non-standard g that doubles the bandwidth to 108MBps (I think 802.11n is stil somewhat higher than this).

So, my Mac Mini has an 802.11g in it, but when running WIndows, windows reports it as running at 108MBps, and in OSX, it runs at 54MBps.

It is quite possible that windows is misreporting it, but it might also be possible that the windows drivers are more up to date.

Has anyone else noticed this?

 

[ramlax13]

Many wireless G routers have what is called Speed Booster, which doubles the speed like you said from 54 to 108. But in order for you to take advantage of this, you have to have a speed booster compatible wireless card in your computer. I do not believe that any mac wireless G cards have ever had this speed boost feature, since Apple Airports don't have the feature either. Windows just might be recognizing that the router is capable of 108.