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Forum Discussion
Snoocher
Oct 17, 2025Tutor
ORBI 370 Poor Download Speeds
Hi - Just replaced my 8 year old ORBI RBR50WiFi 5 system. My WiFi speeds are no better most of the time than with that older model. Have 2 satellites, each on a different floor from my router an...
Snoocher
Oct 18, 2025Tutor
Just realized I can't hook up the MacBook Air to the satellite - no ethernet port.
StephenB
Oct 18, 2025Guru - Experienced User
Snoocher wrote:Just realized I can't hook up the MacBook Air to the satellite - no ethernet port.
Yeah.
FWIW, there are some third-party USB hubs that claim to be compatible with Macbook Air and have ethernet ports. Some are around $25 USD.
Snoocher wrote:I am not prepared to spend nearly 2x the money for 6Ghz.
Understood. Some people are willing to spend more, so I thought I'd point out the option.
Another path (which also costs) is to run cat 6a ethernet between the router and one (or both) satellites. If you have a long enough cable already, you could test this between the router and the main floor satellite (running the cable down the stairwell as a test).
You could also try changing locations - even though the current locations maxed out the RBK50 performance, there might be other possibilities that would work better with the 370.
- SnoocherOct 18, 2025Tutor
Thanks again - I will likely do the hub idea at a later time. And the current locations are not only the best from our aesthetic point of view, they also are really the only ones that meet the distance requirements Netgear describes. They'd be too close together otherwise.
- FURRYe38Oct 18, 2025Guru - Experienced User
What FW version # is loaded on the sytem currently?
Please enable 240MHz in the advanced settings on the RBRs web page.
30 feet or more is recommended in between RBR 📡 and RBS 🛰️ to begin with depending upon building materials when wired or wirelessly connected.
- SnoocherOct 18, 2025Tutor
FW is V12.1.3.11_5.1.12. It was manually reloaded to the router but I can’t do it to the satellites because the file is too large (!!!).
I changed the setting to enable 240 MHz. We’ll see what happens.
Thank you again!
- StephenBOct 18, 2025Guru - Experienced User
Snoocher wrote:
They also are really the only ones that meet the distance requirements Netgear describes
I haven't seen a minimum distance requirement in any of the Netgear articles or documentation. So I don't know where FURRYe38​ gets his distance recommendation. (Neither one of us works for Netgear).
FWIW, one of mine is a lot closer to the router than FURRYe38​ recommends, but my mesh still performs well.
- FURRYe38Oct 18, 2025Guru - Experienced User
There used to be a NG KB article giving recommended starting distance. Not sure why NG removed it. Also in experiencing my own systems and distance as as well other historical users posting about distances and such, come to the conclusion that 30 feet is a good starting distance between the RBR and RBS and finding good wifi over lap sweet spot. Just seems to be a good distance to start at. Again, building materials can and will effect this as well and placement with in the building. Basements are not good places for the main RBR unit. All that concrete and steel inhibits wifi signal travel.
Up to users to find the sweet spot though. Your stuff.
- SnoocherOct 19, 2025Tutor
I got my LAN adapter:
From Router - 940 up/down
From Satellite 1 - closer to router 243/208
From Satellite 2 - bottom floor 322/288 and 139/190
Shouldn't the wired connection be much closer to the 900 on the router?
- StephenBOct 19, 2025Guru - Experienced User
Snoocher wrote:
From Router - 940 up/down
From Satellite 1 - closer to router 243/208
From Satellite 2 - bottom floor 322/288 and 139/190This confirms that the bottleneck is the backhaul link between the router and the satellite (since the client and ISP legs of the connection or both wired).
If you try different locations, test the speed with the adapter after the backhaul stablizes.
- SnoocherOct 19, 2025Tutor
Thank you - how long does it take for the backhaul to stabilize? The locations are going to be roughly similar no matter what I try. The house is 2700 sq feet, split on 3 levels, open floor plan. There's not a ton of options.