PC to Mac - slower internet speed?

Question

I have just purchased my first mac (entry level imac 17"). I love the computer and the operating system. However, the internet speed is extremely slow (almost like dial up). I have a pc and a mac, both running off the same connection. The mac is significantly slower surfing the exact sames sites. It's not a cache issue or anything like that. The mac is just slow. I have tried both the wireless and ethernet connections and it's slow either way. I have tried downloading Firefox and that doesn't seem to make a difference either.
Any help?
Thanks

Answer 1

Clint,
Have you tried using the "Automatic" setting that you first saw after setup? Unless you made changes to it, I'd imagine it's still in effect, just not active since you're now using another "Location:" setting. Or, was that "Automatic" setup too slow as well?
If you'd like to try yet again, using the same basics as included in the Network Setup Assistant, but with more stringent settings:))
There's no need to dump any of your current setups that already work - at System Preferences>Network in the "Location:" selector simply use "New Location..." to name yourself yet another new setup (perhaps "wireless Feb 11") and proceed:
Set the "Show:" selector to "AirPort" and choose the "TCP/IP" pane. Check that "Configure IPv4:" is set as "Using DHCP." No other settings are necessary on that preference pane. If you make any change, be sure to click the "Apply Now" button before leaving that preference pane.
Switching from the "TCP/IP" pane to the "PPPoE" pane, if the isp connection settings are already held within your wireless router, which I think they most likely are, the "Connect using PPoE" box should not be checked. There would also be no need to have checked the box "Show PPPoE status in menu bar." If you make any change, again be sure to click the "Apply Now" button before leaving that preference pane.
Now switching from the "PPPoE" pane to the "AirPort" pane, have the box "Show AirPort status in menu bar" checked, and I suggest setting the "By default, join:" selector to "Preferred networks." Eliminate all other networks listed [remember, you'll only be eliminating them from this new location setup, not from your other, already working "location" setups], then add your wireless network security method, name and password to the preferred networks list, and click the "Apply Now" button.
Then within the "Options..." button, I would set the "If no preferred networks are found:" selector to "Keep looking for recent networks" and check the box "Require administrator password to Change wireless networks." I would definitely NOT check the "Automatically add new networks" box. Click the "OK" button and again the "Apply Now" button.
Now switch the "Show:" selector from "AirPort" to "Network Port Configurations" and drag the activated "AirPort" configuration to the top of the list. Once again click the "Apply Now" button.
Even with this new setup now activated, when you open the menu bar AirPort icon you will continue to see the other wireless networks in your area that are visible to your AirPort - but you won't have to worry about them confusing your Network connection, as it will no longer be considering them.
To return to one of your previous connection setups, simply switch the "Location:" selector to the one you want to use, and click the "Apply Now" button. The new setup just completed will remain unchanged in the "Location:" selector under the new name chosen.
Now, in the "Location:" selector name a second "New Location..." (such as "enet to router Feb 11") - this will be for ethernet access to your router.
Set "Show:" to "Built-in Ethernet" and select the "TCP/IP" pane. Check that "Configure IPv4:" is set as "Using DHCP." No other settings are necessary on that pane. If you make any change, be sure to click the "Apply Now" button before leaving that preference pane.
Switching from the TCP/IP pane to the PPPoE pane, if the isp connection settings are already held within your wireless router, which I think they most likely are, the "Connect using PPoE" box should not be checked. There would also be no need to have checked the box "Show PPPoE status in menu bar." If you make any change, again be sure to click the "Apply Now" button before leaving that preference pane.
Now switching from the "PPPoE" pane to the "Ethernet" pane, check that the "Configure:" selector is set to "Automatically" and if any change is made, click the "Apply Now" button.
Now switch the "Show:" selector from "Built-in Ethernet" to "Network Port Configurations" and drag the activated "Built-in Ethernet" configuration to the top of the list. Then drag the activated "AirPort" configuration to the position immediately under "Built-in Ethernet." Once again click the "Apply Now" button and that new setup is completed and activated. Your iMac will be connected to the router by ethernet and at the same time can use wireless to connect to a wireless printer or to another wireless computer.
After both new setups are in place, I suggest to boot from your Install Disc 1, get past the first (language selection) screen, and (after fully loading) the second screen will contain a "Utilities" pull-down in the menu bar. Open and select Disk Utility. On the left side of the box, select the top-most drive shown, on the right side select "First Aid" and then click the "Verify Disk" or "Repair Disk" button. Allow to run to completion. Run a second time to be sure. Do not run Disk Permissions Repairs, but instead quit the installer version of Disk Utility, quit the installer process, and restart to your usual startup disk, which you can re-select using "Startup Disk" also located in the "Utilities" pull-down where you found Disk Utility. After restarting, Repair Disk Permissions in a similar manner after opening the version of Disk Utility located in your Applications>Utilites folder.
Please don't hesitate to let me know the results of the above series of recommendations.
However, if all that doesn't make for some improvement, I'd think you'd want to check with your router maker's website (or the router supplier's website if it was supplied by your isp) to see if there's a firmware update that might be applied to your router. Such an update might help your router's encryption capabilities, or might provide updated Mac support for the Intel-based Macs.
Beyond that, I'd be calling AppleCare for support with your connection, since you're still within the 90 days of AppleCare phone support that is part of your new Mac purchase.