RBR50 different download speeds for different Macs

Yes, it's as simple as connecting your Mac Mini to any one of the available LAN ports on your Orbi (base or satellite).  The Orbi is a router so it can connect multiple devices.  Your cable modem is not a router so it can only support a limited number of IP addresses (i.e., connected devices).  That's why you use both a cable modem AND the Orbi router.

Some internet providers supply combination modem/router devices.  Your Arris may also be able to support multiple IP addresses at once for customers who upgrade their service to do that.  Most home users only have one IP address from their internet provider.

Mikey94025/FURREY38 et. al.:

A short while ago I connected my RBR50 to my Mac Mini (late 2012) OS 10.15.4 via an Ethernet cable and as I suspected the connection speed increased from 20 Mbs Down (WiFi) to 28 MBs Down (Ethernet). Since to prefer, for safety reasons, to not use a wired (Ethernet) connection to my Mac Mini I'm back to 20 Mbs Down. I may just have to live with this 30% speed penalty but, even if I do, I would very much like to know why this issue occurs. My two other Macs - MacBook Pro (13-inch Mid 2012) 9,2 with OS 5.15.4 and iMac (Retina 5K 27-inch Late 2015) 17,1 with OS 5.14.6 are usually both located at the other end of the house and both register a 28 Mbs Down speed - they are receiving their WiFi from my two RBS50 satellites. Even when I take the MacBook Pro and place it next to my Mac Mini it exhibits a 28 Mbs Down speed. Just doesn't make aense to me! The Mac Mini is located approximately 10-feet from the RBR50. All Orbi's have 2.5.1.16 Firmware.

Any suggestions as to where I can get a answer to this mystery would be super-greatly appreciated.

(P.S. Mikey: Totally off the subject - Is the numeric portion for your name related to your ZIP code? I ask because that's my former ZIP code.)

It maybe the wifi adapter in the mac mini that is the cause or problem. If your other Macs are working and the mini isn't the same, it would be the wifi radio in the mini. From my experience, the design of the case could be a factor as well. Minis are not known for great performances on wifi. If you can live with it, then you can do that. Or you could install a wireless USB adapter and use this adapter as your upgraded wifi radio. I have connected a D-Link DWA-192 to my Mini and worked well. Or you can connect a wireless media bridge to the Orbi system and LAN connect the mini to the back of the wireless bridge for an upgraded wifi solution. 

FURRYe38:

Both you and an Mac guy in the OPS Center in my local ISP recommended the D-Link DWA-192. I checked on Amazon and was amazed at the very modest price. I just ordered one. Someone suggested another WiFi Adapter for a great deal more money (~$150) and I seems that I can possibly get what I need for much, much less. My only reservation is that this Adapter is only the 2.4Mhz. but, if this does the job I won't worry about a dual-band unit.

Hope you find something that works for your mac mini. 

I enjoy the 192 adapter. Though were waiting on drivers for Catalina. The 192 supports WPA3 which is nice. :manwink:

Hopefully, your word "were" has been overcome by events. In anticipation of receiving my Adapter I think I've downloaded the correct Driver. <https://www.tp-link.com/us/support/download/tl-wn725n/#Driver>. Looks as though they published the Driver last December. Am I mistaken?

:smileyfrustrated:Sorry! BIG Ooops. What I purchased was the TP-Link TWN725N. The price of the D-Link scared me away. So, the Driver link I sent was for the TP-Link NOT the D-Link. I am running Catalina so not having a Driver for 10.15 would be a showstopper.

Good Luck. I wouldn't recommend anything TP-Link. 

D-Link is working on a Catalina driver for the 192. 

FURRYe38:

Much thanks for all your advice and ecouragement. I know you're not a fan of the TP-LINK TL-WN725N but TP-Link does have software for Catalina and the TP-LINK is very inexpensive and should arrive in a few days. One drawback is that it only works on 2.4 GHz - not dual-band. I haven't ruled out purchasing a more expensive dual-band device such as the D-LINK DWA-192 (when they have Catalina software). But in the interim I thought of one analysis that might be worthwhile. I created a Wireless Diagnostic Report of my current configuration and was wondering if you'd be interested in examining it. As you undoubtedly know the report is a very large file (255 MB!) so I would not try to email it to you. If you would be willing to look at it I can download it to a site where you can upload it whenever you choose to from a URL I'd send you. Maybe the report will point out something to you. I suspect something else is creating my problem since the Wireless Diagnostic Report indicates Excellent Signal quality. See the attached file, from Wireless Diagnostic Info.

Just wanted to try my 192 adapter out since i updated one of my Mojave paritions the other night on my Mac Book Pro. So the 192 driver was previously installed on Mojave. Mojave was updated to Catalina. Connected my 192 adapter and turned OFF the onboard wifi radio. Enabled the 192 adapter driver and it's connected as I type this. 

Anyways, I recommend that you open a support ticket with Apple support for the one Mac that seems to be havng issues. I presume the mac maybe out of warranty. However I would find out if others in the Mac Community thats seeing any wifif problems. Is there a local Mac or apple shop that does Mac repairs? Would be one good start there. Have someone there look at your wifi diagnotic logs from the one mac. 

Just FYI, D-Link just released OSX 10.15 drivers for the DWA-192. :smileywink:

JBuddenbrooks