The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Someone needs to tell Apple to update their hard drive selection.

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by Homer_Jay_Thompson, Aug 6, 2007.

  1. Homer_Jay_Thompson

    Homer_Jay_Thompson blathering blatherskite

    Reputations:
    228
    Messages:
    1,852
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    The left side represents the current hard drive selection. The right side represents what should be offered instead for about the same price.
    120GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm 120GB SATA 7200 RPM
    160GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm 160GB SATA 7200 RPM
    200GB Serial ATA Drive @ 4200 rpm 250GB SATA 5400 RPM
    160GB Serial ATA Drive @ 7200 rpm 200GB SATA 7200 RPM

    Good 7200 RPM hard drives no longer produce additional noise or heat compared a 5400 RPM hard drive.
     
  2. wave

    wave Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    813
    Messages:
    2,563
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    The only drive that is missing is a 200gb 7200rpm drive. And they are not in good supply yet I think. I dont think Apple uses samsung or wd drives so they cant offer a 250GB drive yet.
     
  3. Homer_Jay_Thompson

    Homer_Jay_Thompson blathering blatherskite

    Reputations:
    228
    Messages:
    1,852
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    I think Apple should make the 120GB 7200 RPM hard drive standard on MacBook Pro laptops.
     
  4. Bona Fide

    Bona Fide Notebook Deity NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    94
    Messages:
    754
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    7200RPM drives will always produce more heat than their 5400RPM counterparts. The drive is spinning 33% faster, which will generate more heat.
     
  5. Homer_Jay_Thompson

    Homer_Jay_Thompson blathering blatherskite

    Reputations:
    228
    Messages:
    1,852
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    I found the additional heat is insignificant. The extra speed is worth it.
     
  6. KelchM

    KelchM Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    109
    Messages:
    360
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    The speed difference between a 120gb 7200rpm drive and say a 200GB PMR drive isn't so big. That, in combination with the added heat, noise, and cost makes it terribly impractical to have as the standard drive.
     
  7. wave

    wave Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    813
    Messages:
    2,563
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Plus Apple would lose out on the extra $ by chargeing 300% more then the real costs of the upgrade.
     
  8. Homer_Jay_Thompson

    Homer_Jay_Thompson blathering blatherskite

    Reputations:
    228
    Messages:
    1,852
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    A 120GB 7200 RPM hard drive does not produce a noticeable difference in heat or noise compared to a 5400 RPM hard drive. I think the 120GB 7200 RPM is a good standard hard drive. The 160GB, 200 GB 7200 RPM and 250GB 5400 RPM hard drive will be extra.
     
  9. KelchM

    KelchM Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    109
    Messages:
    360
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Did you totally ignore what I said?

    The fact is a 120GB 7200 RPM drive [previous generation, non PMR], is not going to be significantly faster than one of the newer PMR 5400RPM drives. This, in combination with the added heat and noise and cost makes it impractical as a standard drive.
     
  10. circa86

    circa86 Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    685
    Messages:
    2,463
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    for the 200gb hitachi drive, Apple probably needs to wait until the price drops and they become more readily available, so they do not need to change any of their upgrade prices.
     
  11. Homer_Jay_Thompson

    Homer_Jay_Thompson blathering blatherskite

    Reputations:
    228
    Messages:
    1,852
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    I disagree because 7200 RPM hard drives only produce more a few more degrees of heat, which is not enough to make a difference. Also, 7200 RPM hard drives are not any louder than 5400 RPM hard drives.

    EDIT: If you want additional speed, you can always add turbo memory.