Is your internet slow, or is it your computer?

A common misconception is that increasing your internet speed plan will speed up your computer. Slow internet speed (below about 500 Kbps) will cause large web pages and downloads to load more slowly, but have no other speed effect on your PC.

You can check your internet speed at various speed test websites such as Speakeasy. Depending on which speed plan you subscribe to, most people with Charter high-speed internet will get about 1,000 – 20,000 Kbps. AT&T high-speed internet customers will get about 500-16,000 Kbps. Comparatively, a dial-up modem connection maxes out at approximately 50 Kbps. Anything above 500 Kbps shouldn’t show noticeable web page load delays.

If your web surfing seems slow even though your speed is above 500 Kbps, likely culprits are your web browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, etc. ), too many web browser tool bars, or overall computer performance (not enough memory, a slow processor or a slow hard drive).

Computer Techs can run various diagnostic test to see what is causing your computer to be slow and tune-up your PC to make it speedier, with no need for extra monthly charges from your internet service provider.