What should be my internet DL speed on Dell inspiron 15 #3521

[gary777]

Hi, Does anyone know approximately what my DL speed should be. My desktop routinely is 88mbps via Comcast. My Inspiron 15 #3521 laptop is 38-41 mbps. The network adapters are Dell Wireless 1704 802.11b/g/n (2.4GHz) & Realtek PCIe FE Family Controller.

Laptop is not what I would call slow, but was wonder about the internet speed being a little lower than half of my desktops 88 mbps. Oh yeah both computers are the same (12mbps) on upload. Perhaps these are normal speeds for the laptop?

I have not tried to use ethernet connection like the desktop.

Thanks Gary

 

[oscer1]

wireless will always be slower than Ethernet. but by how much I do not know

 

[gary777]

Thanks, I would imagine so. I was hoping someone with a similar laptop and network adapters could help answer my question.

 

[essenbe]

Gary, it can depend on a lot of things, such as how far from the Router you are and what is between the laptop and router as well as what type router you are using. Also, what drivers you are using. Try going to Dell and see if they have an updated driver for your wireless adapter. Just make sure it is for your Notebook.

For your info, if I could get 40, I would be very happy If it helps, My Desktop gets 24, which is my max. My downstairs laptop gets around 16. FWIW.

 

[gary777]

Gary, it can depend on a lot of things, such as how far from the Router you are and what is between the laptop and router as well as what type router you are using. Also, what drivers you are using. Try going to Dell and see if they have an updated driver for your wireless adapter. Just make sure it is for your Notebook.

For your info, if I could get 40, I would be very happy If it helps, My Desktop gets 24, which is my max. My downstairs laptop gets around 16. FWIW.

Thank you , it has all up-dated drivers and I am about two meters from my 2.4ghz router. I was curious what the average speed is for this network adapter. I am able to stream everything most of the time, once in awhile youtube slows down, but there are so many links in a wireless chain of events, anyone of those links could be weak as you well know.

Yes, 40 mbps really is all I need, and I am thinking that is close to what my wireless network adapter will give me no matter what I do.

This Dell is has a nice feature that lets me see who is using what channel on my router, and also tells me if there is any interference. It's called DW WLAN Card Utility, very handy to have. I fould my neighbors router and he was using the same channel as me so I switched over from ch 6 to ch 4 seems to have helped a lot with drop outs, but speed is still the same, as it should be.

Thank you...

 

[essenbe]

One suggestion you can try if you want to. I guess it would depend on how important battery life is to you. Go to Device Manager, expand Network Adapters, right click your wireless and select properties. In the properties see if you have Power Management. You can uncheck 'Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power'. See if that helps. It helped one of my Laptops. This image is not a wireless adapter, but the options may be the same.

 

[UsernameIssues]

I have this wireless card (in a laptop):
Dell Wireless 1540 802.11a/g/n (2.4GHz/5GHz)



I always uninstall that DW WLAN Card Utility.

 

[gary777]

One suggestion you can try if you want to. I guess it would depend on how important battery life is to you. Go to Device Manager, expand Network Adapters, right click your wireless and select properties. In the properties see if you have Power Management. You can uncheck 'Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power'. See if that helps. It helped one of my Laptops. This image is not a wireless adapter, but the options may be the same.

View attachment 390848

Thanks, I leave laptop plugged in so no need to be concerned about the battery, I will give it a try.

Thanks

 

[gary777]

I have this wireless card:
Dell Wireless 1540 802.11a/g/n (2.4GHz/5GHz)

View attachment 390850

I always uninstall that DW WLAN Card Utility.

Why do you uninstall it?

You have great speed, you changed network adapters yourself?

Thanks Gary

 

[UsernameIssues]

I'm using a desktop right now. I remotely controlled one of the many Dell laptop's that I oversee at work and ran that speed test. Hopefully, the remote control session did not use too much bandwidth. I've seen the speed go over 100Mbps. It varies with how many others are using the same wireless access point.

That DW WLAN Card Utility caused so many connectivity problems that the company where I work for no longer includes it in the OS image that gets installed on new laptops. Maybe the utility has improved lately. I've not used it for years.

If I have to reinstall or update the wireless NIC, I download the software from Dell, let the installer extract the files (but not install them) - then I use device manager to point the device to the folder where the files of interest are.



Your speed issue might be caused by your router. See if you can get a friend or two to bring their laptop's over for a few download tests.

 

[Eric3742]

Hi gary777

For router, it is best to put up as high as possible, central location, if possible.

Ensure no obstacle items around, especially those, such as; cordless phone, microwave, etc.
These devices are using 2.4GHz band, and these will cause interference to your wireless connection.
This include wall between the router and laptop, which may reduce the bandwidth.

 

[gary777]

I'm using a desktop right now. I remotely controlled one of the many Dell laptop's that I oversee at work and ran that speed test. Hopefully, the remote control session did not use too much bandwidth. I've seen the speed go over 100Mbps. It varies with how many others are using the same wireless access point.

That DW WLAN Card Utility caused so many connectivity problems that the company where I work for no longer includes it in the OS image that gets installed on new laptops. Maybe the utility has improved lately. I've not used it for years.

If I have to reinstall or update the wireless NIC, I download the software from Dell, let the installer extract the files (but not install them) - then I use device manager to point the device to the folder where the files of interest are.

Your speed issue might be caused by your router. See if you can get a friend or two to bring their laptop's over for a few download tests.

Thank for all the info. My router is very old The other wireless devices are two different ipads are getting the same speed. I agree it's time for a new router. It is and old Netgear n-150. I think I will take my laptop here and go to a neighbors house and see how it does.

Gary

 

[gary777]

Thank for all the info. My router is very old The other wireless devices are two different ipads are getting the same speed. I agree it's time for a new router. It is and old Netgear n-150. I think I will take my laptop here and go to a neighbors house and see how it does.

Gary