Why is Macbook Internet faster than Vista

Are you using the same browser on both computers?  IE on my computers is a slug compared to Firefox, Safari or Chrome.

Try using wireshark to take a look at the network traffic.  This might give you an idea of the activity that is bogging down the Vista machine...

Go here http://www.softpedia.com/progDownload/TCP-IP-Limit-AutoPatch-Download-72536.html
Make sure you click on read more under the download links on the left.
This will increase your tcp/ip limitation.

Sorry on the right.

FF and Safari are nearly identical speeds.  Wireshark is very confusing.

I tried the download link and it found an out of date network card driver.   But it wants me to register with their software to update.  I didn't see a read more anywhere on the page.

I'll try to get an update on the network card driver another way.

Let's consider the computer hardware.

What is the make and brand of the Vista machine(processor, RAM, Motherboard if OEM, NIC model/driver).  You then would compare this to the MBP.  Bottlenecks may exist depending on hardware used.


Also are they both using N, G or A for wireless or is this over ethernet?

Is the Vista machine using the Standard wireless software to connect, or is there a third party application controlling the wireless connection?  Also do you have network security turned on?  If so what type?

I updated the NIC (Realtek) through Windows Update.  After the update, it got as high as 8Mbps but is now back down to around just over 5 to 5.6Mbps.  

The Vista box is an HP Pavilion 9400t desktop:
- Intel Core2 Quad CPU Q6600 2.40Ghz
- 4.00 GB RAM
- Realtek 802.11n
- not sure on the motherboard

All NICs are wireless and using N, as mentioned in the OP.

Do you have all the Vista service packs and patches? Without all the necessary OS updates, Vista crawls.

Yes - all updates are applied.  And Vista certainly crawls.

This is happening in all browsers.  I'll check the link though.

Thanks.  The first link was included in my link from the OP.  I did apply the second link you posted.

I get between just below 4Mbps up to around 6Mbps.

Here's an additional piece of info I didn't include in the OP.   I recently moved to another state and changed ISPs.  I'm still on cable.  This started on the Vista box since moving.  But how can a change in the ISP affect Vista and not the Mac?

A lot of things can affect the speed of the connection.  You probably have anti-virus on the Vista and not on the Mac Book.  Anti-virus software installs a 'proxy-server' on your computer so it can inspect the files before the rest of your programs can look at them.  That makes that computer somewhat slower.  Drivers make a difference.  Browsers can make a difference.  IE is a slug on one of my computers compared to the other browsers.

Also, were you getting the same high speed before you moved?  I ask because if they were both slower before, you may not have noticed any difference then.

Speed at the old location was around 10Mbps constantly.  Computer is configured the same now as before.

I use the free version of AVG.  I disabled the link scanner and restarted the web browser.  I then tested its speed: 3.54Mbps.

Then I just don't know.  Something changed.  Windows Update?

I have no idea either.  I going to award points based on info given.  Thanks.

If everything was the same as before then I would call your isp and ask them if you on a lite speed or a high speed connection.Typically any speeds below 5 mbps indicates a lite speed.

I'm on a 10Mbps d/l plan.