MacBook Air slow on airport network?

I've been futzing with my AirPort network to get it into a state wherein it will be both reliable and fast.
Turns out, those little "settings" things in the AirPort Utility can be really important! I've seen speeds all over the map as I've switched things around and back.
One consistent observation is that my MacBook Air only gets ~50 percent of the throughput achieved by my other two computers. If I have the network configured as a 5GHz "n" only deal and I'm sitting in the room where the base station lives, I can get 20-22 Mbps from the iMac and MBP, but only about 10 Mbps on the MBA. Down in the dining room, same settings, I get ~10 Mbps from the MBP and 3-5 Mbps out of the MBA.
Is there something about the MBA that renders it kinda doglike on wireless networks?
Thanks for any thoughts.

I accept that there are MANY threads in MANY forums about wifi issues for MBAs and I am rather late in coming to this particular one but am having the same EXCEEDINGLY slow response problem on my late 2011 MBA utilising the latest Lion software.
This may sound really weird but when I hold my laptop in a 'portrait' position - i.e. on its side - then my speeds shoot up.
Using Thinkbroadband.com to test my speed, I can consistently go from very slow download speed (often as low as 100kbps! when the MBA is in its normal position) to in excess of 15Mbps (when the MBA is on its side). The table below shows 6 consecutive tests alternating between portrait and landscape modes.
Speedtest Results
Date
Day
Downstream
Upstream
Connection
05/08/12 16:54
Sun
10480 Kbps
934 Kbps
home PC
05/08/12 16:53
Sun
1435 Kbps
893 Kbps
home PC
05/08/12 16:50
Sun
9750 Kbps
980 Kbps
home PC
05/08/12 16:49
Sun
1121 Kbps
933 Kbps
home PC
05/08/12 16:47
Sun
9445 Kbps
980 Kbps
home PC
05/08/12 16:45
Sun
1080 Kbps
985 Kbps
home PC
I have tried all of the other proposed solutions on every forum and none have worked so far. But this seems to have done the tick - albeit it is totally impractical. I read about issues with the aerial in the screen half of the laptop so this may fall into this category.
Any thoughts or can someone else try this 'solution' and see if using the MBA on its side has similar results with their own machine?
Cheers

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Macbook air keeps 'looking for networks'

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that the MacBook Air seems to have a bit of a problem.
Verizon has done what they could to tweek the system, and it make make a small improvement -- from 20 to the 25-30 mps.
The tech suggested, politely, it was time to talk to Apple, and I will make a Genius appt.
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Thanks,
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Open System Preferences > Network > Advanced then select the Wi-Fi tab.
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Select: Remember networks this computer has joined
Click OK.
Keep in mind, everytime you click the AirPort icon in the status menu bar, it will automatically "look" for networks.

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MacBook Air wifi internet shared network not working on tethered android phone GT B5122

MacBook Air wifi internet shared network not working on tethered android phone GT B5122
I have created a password protected wifi internet network on my Macbook air. I tethered by Andriod phone onto this network, but the internet connection works intermittently on the phone, and when it stops working the network continues to show as connected to the shared network mostly(other times it keeps renewing the wifi IP address on the Andriod phone).
Also the network the MBA is connected to, is a hardwired one using a SSH login account in a student accomadations.
I am not sure, but all the restarting and refreshing of system, phone and wifi sharing and re-enabling wifi is not reparing the internet connecting on the wifi network for the phone
Really puzzled, if this is one of the Apple, Andriod compatability issues.
Cheers,
Vivek

Spanners91 wrote:
Hi.
I'm having trouble with the wireless connection on my new home hub 3. Most devices will connect easily, but there are three devices that have trouble connecting. These are an Android Phone (Samsung Galaxy Mini), an android tablet (Sony Tablet S) and an iPod. All of these devices work perfectly on other network connections, and other devices in the house are quite happy connecting to the network.
The Androids can see the network, and will try to connect to it, but when they do they just go through a loop of "connecting">>"acquiring IP address">>"disconnected". I have tried resetting the Home Hub with a pin, and that lets the devices connect for about 24 hours, but after that time they stop connecting again.
I'm really not sure what to do to fix the problem, so I will very much appreciate some help.
Many Thanks.
My lads SGMini connects perfectly to our hub3
Have you installed the BTFon app to these devices?
If so, you could delete it and then see what hapens.....
-+-No longer a forum member-+-

Why is my MacBook Air slow on any WiFi network?

I have been having a strange issue with my 2013 11" MacBook Air (Mavericks 10.9.2). It has seemed very pokey on internet lately. The past couple of weeks in some places I have not been able to get online via wifi, including GOGO on Delta, which has never been a problem (iPad and iPhone got on right away). So back to my house, which is on a Time Warner 30Mbps cable internet service. A browser speed test is only showing 1-3Mbps, which is on a Time Warner 30Mbps internet service. I am getting terrible speeds as I mentioned. Today I reset the modem and my airport extreme. Then I took a MacBook Pro I have and went direct into modem with ethernet cable and speed went into the low 50Mbps!!!!! So then I took the same MacBook Pro and went back to wifi, speed test still very strong - 30Mbps or better. But back to my MacBook Air, and speed test only 1-3Mbps. I also tried speed test on my iPhone, and it also shows 20-30Mbps. So now I am convinced something is weird in my MacBook Air - the network and airport extreme don’t seem to be the problem. I dont know what else to do on the MacBook Air to try and resolve this issue. Can anyone give me any ideas? I tried zapping the PRAM, still no help. Thanks for any input or ideas!

Make a "Genius" appointment at an Apple Store, or go to another authorized service provider.
Back up all data on the internal drive(s) before you hand over your computer to anyone. There are ways to back up a computer that isn't fully functional—ask if you need guidance.
If privacy is a concern, erase the data partition(s) with the option to write zeros* (do this only if you have at least two complete, independent backups, and you know how to restore to an empty drive from any of them.) Don’t erase the recovery partition, if present.
Keeping your confidential data secure during hardware repair
Apple also recommends that you deauthorize a device in the iTunes Store before having it serviced.
*An SSD doesn't need to be zeroed.

MacBook Air slow wifi at times, unreliable internet

i have the 2012 macbook air.version 10.8.5
it works super good HOWEVER, sometimes my wifi and internet can get really slow. I doubt its my new AC airport extreme because the internet on every other device in my house works perfectly.
its just my macbook air that at very random times, will seem to have extremely slow wifi. like it will take 30 seconds to load google. and i've tried multiple sites and it still doesn't work.
this will happen about every week or so for a couple of hours. when i connect to a different network, my mac will no longer have any internet speed issues
is anyone else having these problems?

Power Cycle
Power off the router. Unplug it from the wall. Wait a while.
Plug it back to the wall. Power the router on. Wait until all the lights are lit properly. It will take a while.
Restart the computer.
Empty Caches
Safari > Preference > Advanced
Checkmark the box for "Show Develop menu in menu bar".
Develop menu will appear in the Safari menu bar.
Click Develop and select "Empty Caches" from the dropdown.

Macbook air slow after install of Yosemite

Problem description:
mac is slow
EtreCheck version: 2.1.2 (105)
Report generated December 13, 2014 at 5:48:04 PM EST
Hardware Information: ℹ️
MacBook Air (11-inch, Mid 2011) (Verified)
MacBook Air - model: MacBookAir4,1
1 1.8 GHz Intel Core i7 CPU: 2-core
4 GB RAM Not upgradeable
BANK 0/DIMM0
2 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok
BANK 1/DIMM0
2 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok
Bluetooth: Old - Handoff/Airdrop2 not supported
Wireless: en0: 802.11 a/b/g/n
Video Information: ℹ️
Intel HD Graphics 3000 - VRAM: 384 MB
Color LCD 1366 x 768
System Software: ℹ️
OS X 10.10.1 (14B25) - Uptime: 13:43:2
Disk Information: ℹ️
APPLE SSD SM128C disk0 : (121.33 GB)
S.M.A.R.T. Status: Verified
EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB
Recovery HD (disk0s3) <not mounted> [Recovery]: 650 MB
Macintosh HD (disk1) / : 120.10 GB (29.07 GB free)
Core Storage: disk0s2 120.47 GB Online
USB Information: ℹ️
Apple Inc. FaceTime Camera (Built-in)
Apple Inc. BRCM20702 Hub
Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller
Apple Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad
Thunderbolt Information: ℹ️
Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus
Gatekeeper: ℹ️
Mac App Store and identified developers
Problem System Launch Agents: ℹ️
[failed] com.apple.CallHistoryPluginHelper.plist
[failed] com.apple.CallHistorySyncHelper.plist [Details]
[failed] com.apple.coreservices.appleid.authentication.plist [Details]
[failed] com.apple.EscrowSecurityAlert.plist [Details]
[failed] com.apple.icloud.fmfd.plist [Details]
[failed] com.apple.sbd.plist [Details]
[failed] com.apple.telephonyutilities.callservicesd.plist [Details]
Problem System Launch Daemons: ℹ️
[failed] com.apple.awdd.plist [Details]
[failed] com.apple.corestorage.corestoragehelperd.plist
[failed] com.apple.ctkd.plist [Details]
[failed] com.apple.icloud.findmydeviced.plist [Details]
[failed] com.apple.ifdreader.plist
[failed] com.apple.installd.plist [Details]
[failed] com.apple.nehelper.plist [Details]
[failed] com.apple.softwareupdated.plist [Details]
[failed] com.apple.wdhelper.plist [Details]
[failed] com.apple.xpc.smd.plist [Details]
Launch Agents: ℹ️
[running] com.bjango.istatmenusagent.plist [Support]
[running] com.bjango.istatmenusnotifications.plist [Support]
[loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist [Support]
[loaded] com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist [Support]
Launch Daemons: ℹ️
[loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist [Support]
[running] com.bjango.istatmenusdaemon.plist [Support]
[invalid?] com.cardosystems.cardo-updater.plist [Support]
[loaded] com.google.keystone.daemon.plist [Support]
[loaded] com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist [Support]
[loaded] com.oracle.java.JavaUpdateHelper.plist [Support]
User Launch Agents: ℹ️
[running] com.amazon.cloud-player.plist [Support]
[invalid?] com.google.GoogleContactSyncAgent.plist [Support]
[running] com.spotify.webhelper.plist [Support]
User Login Items: ℹ️
CMlite UNKNOWN (missing value)
SizeUp Application (/Applications/SizeUp.app)
Dropbox Application (/Applications/Dropbox.app)
Google Drive Application (/Applications/Google Drive.app)
Google Chrome ApplicationHidden (/Applications/Google Chrome.app)
Internet Plug-ins: ℹ️
o1dbrowserplugin: Version: 5.38.6.0 - SDK 10.8 [Support]
Default Browser: Version: 600 - SDK 10.10
OfficeLiveBrowserPlugin: Version: 12.3.6 [Support]
Silverlight: Version: 5.1.30317.0 - SDK 10.6 [Support]
FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 16.0.0.235 - SDK 10.6 [Support]
Flash Player: Version: 16.0.0.235 - SDK 10.6 [Support]
QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3
CitrixICAClientPlugIn: Version: 11.4.3 - SDK 10.0 [Support]
googletalkbrowserplugin: Version: 5.38.6.0 - SDK 10.8 [Support]
GarminGpsControl: Version: 4.0.4.0 Release - SDK 10.6 [Support]
OnLiveGameClientDetector: Version: OnLiveGameClientDetector 1.0.0 [Support]
JavaAppletPlugin: Version: Java 7 Update 67 Check version
User internet Plug-ins: ℹ️
CitrixOnlineWebDeploymentPlugin: Version: 1.0.92 [Support]
ATTConnectEventEntry: Version: 1.0.3 - SDK 10.6
Google Earth Web Plug-in: Version: 7.1 [Support]
Safari Extensions: ℹ️
LastPass
3rd Party Preference Panes: ℹ️
Flash Player [Support]
Java [Support]
Time Machine: ℹ️
Skip System Files: NO
Mobile backups: ON
Auto backup: YES
Volumes being backed up:
Macintosh HD: Disk size: 120.10 GB Disk used: 91.03 GB
Destinations:
Time Bandit [Network]
Total size: 997.71 GB
Total number of backups: 12
Oldest backup: 2014-10-19 04:31:39 +0000
Last backup: 2014-12-13 22:00:00 +0000
Size of backup disk: Excellent
Backup size 997.71 GB > (Disk size 120.10 GB X 3)
Top Processes by CPU: ℹ️
      16% Mail
      6% WindowServer
      4% Dropbox
      1% cardo-updater
      1% SystemUIServer
Top Processes by Memory: ℹ️
133 MB mds_stores
129 MB Finder
113 MB Google Chrome Helper
107 MB Google Chrome
94 MB iconservicesagent
Virtual Memory Information: ℹ️
68 MB Free RAM
1.28 GB Active RAM
1.22 GB Inactive RAM
1.24 GB Wired RAM
27.32 GB Page-ins
923 MB Page-outs
Diagnostics Information: ℹ️
Dec 13, 2014, 04:06:15 AM ctkd_2014-12-13-040615_PratBook-Air.crash
Dec 13, 2014, 04:05:36 AM Self test - passed

Howdy.
Thanks for the replies. For what it's worth, a simple reboot, the first post install, resulted in a "i'm installing something" status bar (the grey screen with the dark grey status bar)" Now it's faster. So sorry about that - I guess I just wasn't done, although Apple maybe should have forced one more restart? Small thing.
In the new report below, there are still two [invalid?]. One is cardo - that's my headset for my motorcycle com. I don't know why it says it's invalid - it works, when I have it installed with a USB cord. The [invalid?] com.google.GoogleContactSyncAgent.plist is weird. I can't find a good article on what to do about that, but since it's not that slow anymore, maybe I'll downprioritize.
Thanks for your responses.
Here's the new report:
EtreCheck version: 2.1.2 (105)
Report generated December 14, 2014 at 12:33:31 AM EST
Hardware Information: ℹ️
MacBook Air (11-inch, Mid 2011) (Verified)
MacBook Air - model: MacBookAir4,1
1 1.8 GHz Intel Core i7 CPU: 2-core
4 GB RAM Not upgradeable
BANK 0/DIMM0
2 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok
BANK 1/DIMM0
2 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok
Bluetooth: Old - Handoff/Airdrop2 not supported
Wireless: en0: 802.11 a/b/g/n
Video Information: ℹ️
Intel HD Graphics 3000 - VRAM: 384 MB
Color LCD 1366 x 768
System Software: ℹ️
OS X 10.10.1 (14B25) - Uptime: 0:12:18
Disk Information: ℹ️
APPLE SSD SM128C disk0 : (121.33 GB)
S.M.A.R.T. Status: Verified
EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB
Recovery HD (disk0s3) <not mounted> [Recovery]: 650 MB
Macintosh HD (disk1) / : 120.10 GB (27.66 GB free)
Core Storage: disk0s2 120.47 GB Online
USB Information: ℹ️
Apple Inc. FaceTime Camera (Built-in)
Apple Inc. BRCM20702 Hub
Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller
Apple Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad
Thunderbolt Information: ℹ️
Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus
Gatekeeper: ℹ️
Mac App Store and identified developers
Launch Agents: ℹ️
[running] com.bjango.istatmenusagent.plist [Support]
[running] com.bjango.istatmenusnotifications.plist [Support]
[loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist [Support]
[loaded] com.oracle.java.Java-Updater.plist [Support]
Launch Daemons: ℹ️
[loaded] com.adobe.fpsaud.plist [Support]
[running] com.bjango.istatmenusdaemon.plist [Support]
[invalid?] com.cardosystems.cardo-updater.plist [Support]
[loaded] com.google.keystone.daemon.plist [Support]
[loaded] com.oracle.java.Helper-Tool.plist [Support]
[loaded] com.oracle.java.JavaUpdateHelper.plist [Support]
User Launch Agents: ℹ️
[running] com.amazon.cloud-player.plist [Support]
[invalid?] com.google.GoogleContactSyncAgent.plist [Support]
[running] com.spotify.webhelper.plist [Support]
User Login Items: ℹ️
CMlite UNKNOWN (missing value)
SizeUp Application (/Applications/SizeUp.app)
Dropbox Application (/Applications/Dropbox.app)
Google Drive Application (/Applications/Google Drive.app)
Google Chrome ApplicationHidden (/Applications/Google Chrome.app)
Internet Plug-ins: ℹ️
o1dbrowserplugin: Version: 5.38.6.0 - SDK 10.8 [Support]
Default Browser: Version: 600 - SDK 10.10
OfficeLiveBrowserPlugin: Version: 12.3.6 [Support]
Silverlight: Version: 5.1.30317.0 - SDK 10.6 [Support]
FlashPlayer-10.6: Version: 16.0.0.235 - SDK 10.6 [Support]
Flash Player: Version: 16.0.0.235 - SDK 10.6 [Support]
QuickTime Plugin: Version: 7.7.3
CitrixICAClientPlugIn: Version: 11.4.3 - SDK 10.0 [Support]
googletalkbrowserplugin: Version: 5.38.6.0 - SDK 10.8 [Support]
GarminGpsControl: Version: 4.0.4.0 Release - SDK 10.6 [Support]
OnLiveGameClientDetector: Version: OnLiveGameClientDetector 1.0.0 [Support]
JavaAppletPlugin: Version: Java 7 Update 67 Check version
User internet Plug-ins: ℹ️
CitrixOnlineWebDeploymentPlugin: Version: 1.0.92 [Support]
ATTConnectEventEntry: Version: 1.0.3 - SDK 10.6
Google Earth Web Plug-in: Version: 7.1 [Support]
Safari Extensions: ℹ️
LastPass
3rd Party Preference Panes: ℹ️
Flash Player [Support]
Java [Support]
Time Machine: ℹ️
Skip System Files: NO
Mobile backups: ON
Auto backup: YES
Volumes being backed up:
Macintosh HD: Disk size: 120.10 GB Disk used: 92.44 GB
Destinations:
Time Bandit [Network]
Total size: 997.71 GB
Total number of backups: 16
Oldest backup: 2014-10-19 04:31:39 +0000
Last backup: 2014-12-14 05:07:20 +0000
Size of backup disk: Excellent
Backup size 997.71 GB > (Disk size 120.10 GB X 3)
Top Processes by CPU: ℹ️
      6% WindowServer
      2% AppZapper
      2% launchd
      1% cardo-updater
      1% fontd
Top Processes by Memory: ℹ️
180 MB mds_stores
99 MB Google Drive
77 MB iStatMenusDaemon
73 MB SystemUIServer
60 MB CalendarAgent
Virtual Memory Information: ℹ️
1.10 GB Free RAM
1.04 GB Active RAM
848 MB Inactive RAM
1.10 GB Wired RAM
2.46 GB Page-ins
61 MB Page-outs
Diagnostics Information: ℹ️
Dec 14, 2014, 12:21:49 AM Self test - passed
Dec 13, 2014, 06:19:31 PM Google Drive_2014-12-13-181931_PratBook-Air.crash
Dec 13, 2014, 04:06:15 AM ctkd_2014-12-13-040615_PratBook-Air.crash

Why are my MacBooks so slow on the network when everything else is fast?

Last month, my apartment complex changed its network from a pretty wide open Wi-Fi to one where we must enter a user name and password every 30 days for each machine. Since then, both my MacBooks (2012 MBP running 10.8.3 and 2008 white MB running 10.7.5) have very slow connections. Web pages will fail to load, or load incredibly slowly (as in the progress bar moves an inch then stops). We get bursts of activity (as also seen in Activity Monitor) lasting for seconds (limited to 4mbps down/0.2mbps up by the new ISP). This occurs on both Safari and Firefox. iTunes music store, the Mac App store, Mail, and Spotify all exhibit identical behavior. My iPad, iPhone, and another's Windows netbook connect without any obvious difficulty. We had a rep from the new ISP come to check out our connection, and he believes that the problem is directly related to the MacBooks (a virus on both?).
Things I've tried without change in behavior (with the 2012 MBP):
1. Connecting directly to ethernet (and turning off AirPort).
2. Restarting the computer and the router.
3. Logging in elsewhere in the complex
4. Changing DNS to 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4
5. Deleting AirPort and re-installing in System Prefs
6. Following the excellent "Step by Step to Fix Your Mac" https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3353 on these forums, including clearing every cache imaginable with Onyx, and uninstalling Java, Silverlight, Flash, and any System Pref plugins.
7. Sorting through Activity Monitor to find anything else running on my CPU of consquence--I don't think so.
8. Confirming good ping and down/up speeds on Speedtest.net with my iPhone
I know little about networking, but I'm learning. Any other suggestions? Why does the MacBook behave differently on this network?

bowsplash wrote:
Thank you for the suggestions. I agree that my ISP rep looked a little confused by my problem. He was comfortable using Terminal (at least for basic network queries--more than I know how to do).
Although I physically have the ISP's router in my apartment, the ISP has changed the password, and I'm unable to change channels (though that shouldn't explain the peristent problem on ethernet). I've tried restarting it many times, including unplugging it.
I just emptied my trash (and restarted the computer). 500gb HD, 24gb free. No change in performance.
You're running out of HD space. That's the problem.
Empty the trash in the Dock as well as iPhoto’s trash!
Open up your application folder & go through all your apps. Trash all the apps you no longer want and/or use.
An easier way to do this is to open the Application folder in list view & press the Command+j keys.
In the the dialog that appears, click the "This Window Only" button & the "Calculate All Sizes" check box.
Wait a bit until your file & folder sizes have all been calculated, then click the "Size" column to sort your apps from the fattest to the most anorexic.
Get rid of all your photo files you don't want and/or need. Same goes for those pics off the websites you downloaded (gifs, jpegs, etc.). Or transfer/move them all to a photo/movie storage site like ImageShack and Photobucket, 2 of the most popular FREE storage sites.
Get rid of all your video & music files you no longer view and/or listen too. Especially, if you already have the actual CD/DVDs or you can later redownload from a website. Or transfer them all to a FREE video/movies and/or music storage site.
Use Spotlight to make sure you got rid of everything. You can even trash directly from Spotlight! Better yet, download this FREE software called Find File. This app puts Spotlight to shame (works w/Mountain Lion).
Drag what you don't want and/or need to the trash. Better yet, download this neat little shareware app *demo* called AppZapper. It basically does all the work for you by not only trashing the apps but the apps preference files, caches & all its associated files.
Another software that does the above is AppDelete. Best of all this software is free!
Burn what you want and/or need onto CDs or DVDs. Not everyone has the luxury of purchasing an external HD and/or the system requirements for iCloud to store their "stuff.”
Dropbox is a free storage utility to check out.
You can check with your ISP to see if they offer *free* storage space. Most if not all do now-a-days. There are thousands if not millions of *free* storage facilities on the web also. Use your favorite search engine to search them out as they come in different storage sizes to fit your needs & wants.
Check for duplicate fonts.
Applications>Font Book
Select “All Fonts”
If you see any “black dots” next to any fonts this mean you have duplicates and/or multiple versions of these fonts.
To clean this up, select a “black dotted” font or the Apple + *click* to select multiple dotted fonts;
Edit>Resolve>Duplicates.
What the above does is turns off the duplicates & multiple version fonts. Not delete them.
More than likely the “extras” were installed by other programs and/or other users.
Clear out font caches
Use FontNuke. It does all the work for you. And, best of all it’s *FREE*.
Printer Drivers
Get rid of all the printer drivers you don’t need & use except the ones for your *current* printer(s)/scanner(s).
HD>Library>Printers Folder
If you accidently threw something out that you needed for your printer/scanner it can be easily obtained from the manufacturer’s website and/or from the CD that came w/the printer/scanner.
Garage Band
Has about 1GB of loops stored. Get rid of some some them. You surely don’t use, like and/or need them all.
HD>Library>Audio/Apple Loops>Apple>Apple Loops For GarageBand
Or just get rid of the Garage Band app altogether if you don’t use it.
Get rid of extra languages
Strip your computer down to your “native” tongue.
You can do this with a *FREE* utility called Monolingual. Another app that apparently does all the work for you. I’ve never used it. However, a lot of users here swear by & recommend it highly.
However, there is a warning for *native English speakers*. Make sure you keep BOTH English and English (United States).
Other Resources:
HD Space Checkers:
Disk Inventory X (FREE)
WhatSize (SHAREWARE)
OmniDiskSweeper (FREE)
GrandPerspective (FREE - donation)
==================
Mac Performance Guide
Slimming your hard drive
Rule of thumb: You should never let your hard drive get to where you have only 10-15% of space left.
Quick fix
How To Quickly Free Up Hard Drive Space on Mac OS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fO-mlLApEuk

New iMac wifi slow on Airport network, not on Fastweb

I just replaced our old iMac (Intel Core 2 Duo, 2.33 GHz, Airport Extreme Card 802.11 a/b/g/n - OS 10.6.8) a new refurbished iMac 27-inch (late 2012) (OS 10.8.4). The new computer works great, except with wifi - it is painfully slow on our Airport network, even though the old iMac still runs perfectly fast on that network.
We have two wifi networks in our house (in Rome, Italy). Our internet comes in through the Italian company Fastweb, and its wireless router limits us to only 3 devices. Both computers have fast internet connectivity when we hook up one (or both) to our Fastweb network (802.11g). But that's not a good long-term solution because we need our main computer to talk wirelessly with other devices (like our printer and speakers running off an Airport Express booster).
So for the last three years we have also had an Airport base station (802.11n) based off the Fastweb network. We use the Airport network to connect most of our devices (including iMac, MacBooks, printer, iPads, iPhones,and two Airport Extremes -- one for speakers in the next room, and another to boost the signal throughout the house). For some reason, the new iMac is painfully slow when it connects to our Airport network -- it can take 2 minutes to load a web page on the Airport network, which takes 2 seconds to load on the Fastweb network. I would've thought that the problem lay with our Airport network, except that it's still plenty fast with our other computers. The only problem seems to be the new iMac talking to the Airport network.
Could the problem lie with the Airport Extreme card in the new iMac? It is a refurbished machine, not new. Should I just be taking the machine into the nearest Apple Store? We did buy AppleCare . . . .
Thanks very much for any ideas!
--Bill

Hi RomeBill,
Welcome to the Support Communities!
The article below may be able to help you with this issue.
Click on the link to see more details and screenshots.
Resetting an AirPort Base Station or AirPort Time Capsule FAQ
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3728
iOS and OS X: Recommended settings for Wi-Fi routers and access points
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4199
Cheers,
- Judy

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Hi Dagnabit47,
Welcome to Apple Support Communities.
It sounds like there is an issue adding a wireless printer on your MacBook Air. The article linked below will walk you through the process of adding the printer and ensure the MacBook Air setup correctly.
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http://support.apple.com/kb/PH14143
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MacBook Air slow on airport network?

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