Slower Verizon Fios speeds on Macs when compared to PCs?

We've started receiving reports from users of Verizon's relatively new Fios, service (a high speed fiber optic broadband connection) who are noting slower throughput speeds on systems running Mac OS X when compared with Windows-based PCs.

MacFixIt reader Mike, for instance, writes:

"Last week I received a FIOS connection and discovered that the maximum connection speed is 6-as high as 8 Mbps and not he advertised 15 Mbps."

Meanwhile, a poster to Apple's Discussion boards, Mohammed Shafiq, corroborates:

"Had Verizon come over 4 days ago to install the new fiber optic service. But when the guy sat down to setup the router and realized I had a Mac, he stated "Macs don't allow fast connectivity", only Windows machines do. [...] I attached my Dell laptop with the same ethernet cable, and ran speed test from Miranda and it was receiving 15 MB/s, yet the Mac topped out at 6MB/s. I have tried calling Mac support/Verizon and the usual 'not due to our equipment' story. Each blames the other."

Some users have reported that use of the utility BroadbandOptimizer has resulted in faster connection speeds, though results have been mixed.

If you are a Fios subscriber experiencing a similar speed handicap under Mac OS X, please drop us a line at late-breakers@macfixit.com.

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