Something is limiting my internet speed on my desktop

[jackiekan]

On my laptop (windows 7), which has the receiver built in, I'm getting 20mbps easy on speedtest.net, but on my desktop(windows 8.1), which has an external USB receiver, I'm lucky to get 2mbps.

 

[noidea_77]

I guess you are talking about WiFi / WLAN? And you have the full signal strength on the desktop adapter?

 

[USAFRet]

On my laptop (windows 7), which has the receiver built in, I'm getting 20mbps easy on speedtest.net, but on my desktop(windows 8.1), which has an external USB receiver, I'm lucky to get 2mbps.

Distance, drivers, channel interference....

Testing speed via WiFi only counts if you are right next to the router, and there are no other wireless devices trying to connect.
Even then....there are a lot of variables with WiFi.

 

[jackiekan]

I guess you are talking about WiFi / WLAN? And you have the full signal strength on the desktop adapter?

I'm kind of oblivious with this stuff, its an asus n10, and its apparently supposed to be able to handle up to 150mbps

 

[USAFRet]

I guess you are talking about WiFi / WLAN? And you have the full signal strength on the desktop adapter?

I'm kind of oblivious with this stuff, its an asus n10, and its apparently supposed to be able to handle up to 150mbps

That "150mbps" is theoretical, and only counts in perfect conditions.

1. What speed do you pay your ISP for?
2. What technology is it? DSL/cable/fiber?
3. What speed do you get when wired direct to the router, and going to speedtest.net?

 

[jackiekan]

I guess you are talking about WiFi / WLAN? And you have the full signal strength on the desktop adapter?

I'm kind of oblivious with this stuff, its an asus n10, and its apparently supposed to be able to handle up to 150mbps

That "150mbps" is theoretical, and only counts in perfect conditions.

1. What speed do you pay your ISP for?
2. What technology is it? DSL/cable/fiber?
3. What speed do you get when wired direct to the router, and going to speedtest.net?

It's supposed to be 20mbps, which is what im getting wireless on my laptop.

 

[USAFRet]

I guess you are talking about WiFi / WLAN? And you have the full signal strength on the desktop adapter?

I'm kind of oblivious with this stuff, its an asus n10, and its apparently supposed to be able to handle up to 150mbps

That "150mbps" is theoretical, and only counts in perfect conditions.

1. What speed do you pay your ISP for?
2. What technology is it? DSL/cable/fiber?
3. What speed do you get when wired direct to the router, and going to speedtest.net?

It's supposed to be 20mbps, which is what im getting wireless on my laptop.

Then it is either:
Location/distance/interference
Drivers for that device
A crappy WiFi device

 

[jackiekan]

I guess you are talking about WiFi / WLAN? And you have the full signal strength on the desktop adapter?

I'm kind of oblivious with this stuff, its an asus n10, and its apparently supposed to be able to handle up to 150mbps

That "150mbps" is theoretical, and only counts in perfect conditions.

1. What speed do you pay your ISP for?
2. What technology is it? DSL/cable/fiber?
3. What speed do you get when wired direct to the router, and going to speedtest.net?

It's supposed to be 20mbps, which is what im getting wireless on my laptop.

Then it is either:
Location/distance/interference
Drivers for that device
A crappy WiFi device

I think it's the usb device, when i plugged it into my laptop, the download speed dropped dramatically.