I am perplexed by a noticeable difference in streaming performance between sites in Australia (SBS, ABC iview) and the rest of the world. When I stream any content from Oz, it is always a little bit choppy, not bad but like frames are being skipped. From anywhere else in the world, Europe, America, Asia, the stream is always completely smooth.  

I don't have much experience with this and don't understand what might cause this. Logically, I would think Australia quality would be better because it is closer. Can anyone explain this to me?  

My streaming computer is a Pipo mini-pc that has caused me much grief in the past. It seems to be working reasonably ok since I added heat sinks and a fan but it is probably working close to its maximum capacity in terms of processor load and memory. I also have a new Acer Aspire laptop and it seems to work better than the Pipo in the same room under the same conditions. I am using a D-Link router for wi-fi in the room and I consistently get nearly 40 mbps down on Speedtest with the laptop, but only around 15-20 on the Pipo. Both are about the same distance from the router, just a few metres in the same room. All settings on the router are default, except the password.