How do I increase Mac mini M1 download speed beyond 1 gigabit?

I have a Mac mini M1 running Ventura 13.7.6, and recently upgraded my ISP account that promised a 2-gig download speed. But several speed tests showed the DL speed at less than one gig. An ISP tech told me the Mac mini won't accept a higher DL speed for security reasons, but I've found no independent verification for this. Any help would be appreciated.


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Original Title: Download speed via

Posted on Jun 8, 2025 10:07 AM

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Jun 8, 2025 4:44 PM in response to petethepup

If you run System Information (Applications > Utilities > System Information, or Option- > System Information), and click on "Ethernet" in the sidebar, you should be able to see your Ethernet port's "Maximum Link Speed."


If you have a Gigabit Ethernet port, one option might be to add a Mac-compatible USB-C or Thunderbolt Ethernet adapter.


Looking at SonnetTech – Ethernet Networking, I see

  • A Solo 2.5G adapter for $30, which supports 2.5 Gbps, 1 Gbps, and 100 Mbps speeds
  • A Solo 5G adapter for $40, which supports 5 Gbps, 2.5 Gbps, 1 Gbps, and 100 Mbps speeds


SonnetTech and Other World Computing both have $200 Thunderbolt 10 Gbps adapters with RJ45-style ports that can run at speeds of 10 Gbps, 5 Gbps, and 2.5 Gbps. The SonnetTech one doesn't support running at any speed below 2.5 Gbps. In both cases, you're paying a lot extra for higher speed and AVB (audio video bridging) capabilities that you may never use.

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Jun 8, 2025 3:39 PM in response to petethepup

You did not answer the question of whether you ordered your Mac mini with the standard Gigabit Ethernet port, or paid extra to custom-order one with a 10 Gigabit Ethernet port.


The standard 1 Gigabit Ethernet port will not run at speeds higher than 1 Gigabit per second. If you connect it to equipment capable of higher speeds, either the two will negotiate 1 Gigabit per second speed or less, or you will get no connection at all.

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Jun 8, 2025 3:44 PM in response to petethepup

Re: “An ISP tech told me the Mac mini won't accept a higher DL speed for security reasons”


If your Mac mini has a Gigabit Ethernet port, the first part would be right. The bit about it being due to “security reasons” would have been pure B.S. The reason you get speeds of 1 Gigabit per second or less from a Gugabit Ethernet port is that this is the port’s maximum speed (before overhead).

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Jun 11, 2025 12:06 PM in response to Servant of Cats

Subscribing to a faster ISP plan is pointless if the user's edge device (ISP cable modem/router) is not rated for that throughput, and an internal router, switch, and cabling are under configured for that inbound bandwidth.


My personal cable modem, router, and network switch are all rated at 2.5 Gbps and my cabling is CAT6. That cost some bucks… and my download/uplink speeds quadrupled after this equipment upgrade without changing the ISP plan.

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How do I increase Mac mini M1 download speed beyond 1 gigabit?

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