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    7200 RPM vs 5400 RPM in new 15" MBP?

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by CJK02, Jun 20, 2009.

  1. CJK02

    CJK02 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi,

    I just ordered the new 2.66Ghz 15" UMBP. I just realized after it has shipped from Shanghai, that I forgot to upgrade the HDD from 320GB 5400RPM to 320GB to 7200RPM.

    Will this make much of a difference in terms of performance? Are there any advantages to having the 5400RPM drive?

    Thanks...
     
    CJK02, Jun 20, 2009
    #1
  2. electrosoft

    electrosoft Perpetualist Matrixist

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    Mildly less heat, maybe a bit less noise and consumption, but they are all worth trading off for the speed difference of a good 7200rpm 16mb cache drive.

    The Western Digital 320GB Scorpio Black is a very nice drive. I don't know which model(s) Apple uses, but my goto drives for the 320GB level is the WD's.

    I know, to me, the 320gb stock 5400rpm drive in the MBP is really slow. I've been futzin' around with a couple MBP 17" 2.93ghz models and I thought everything was just slow. Slow to access, copy and general usage.

    Client wanted faster drives for A/V captures (rightfully so), so I swapped out the 320GB 5400 stock drives for a WD 320 and Seagate 500 respectively and the speed difference is noticeable.

    This is comparing two, fresh 10.5 installs and baseline tests for functionality/QC.
     
    electrosoft, Jun 20, 2009
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  3. bikerc

    bikerc Notebook Geek

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    7200 RPM HDDs are faster. It really depends on what you do. If you just surf the net and use email it won't make any difference. However, if you compile files or use apps the trash the HDD the difference might be noticeable.

    I wouldn't sweat about it, though, the 7200RPM laptop hard-drives are cheap these days and I think you can upgrade it if you wish to. I don't know the technical details about UMBP, but in case of other laptops it's something you can do yourself. I am pretty sure you can take it to an Apple store and they can do it before your eyes. Of course you'd have to clone the HDD first.

    Good luck!
     
    bikerc, Jun 20, 2009
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  4. jackluo923

    jackluo923 Notebook Virtuoso

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    You can get $60 320GB 7200RPM 2.5" hdd nowadays so you dont have to worry too much about it
     
    jackluo923, Jun 20, 2009
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  5. electrosoft

    electrosoft Perpetualist Matrixist

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    Yup, it's just a matter of opening 'er up and not shanking it. :)

    Or have a professional pop it in.
     
    electrosoft, Jun 20, 2009
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