Base Model Macbook Pro and air
Feb 2, 2023 13:07:49 #
Other World Computing posted an interesting article concerning performance degredation of the new M2 Macbook Pro I do not have any of these new machines so this does not effect me. It also may not effect the majority of users here. This is a PSA for folks getting ready to buy a lower level Macbook Pro or Air. OWC is a very reliable source of info for all things Mac/Apple. Link to follow
Feb 2, 2023 13:08:04 #
Feb 2, 2023 14:43:04 #
I'm a big fan of OWC, having bought numerous storage, memory and Mac products (they specialize in Mac gear). They have also been around forever, so they know their stuff. That said, I have a 2022 M2 MacBook Air with 1TB SSD storage and 24GB RAM, and I haven't found any degradation between it and my 2020 M1 MacBook Pro.
So, one difference is that my M2 is a MacBook Air and not the Pro version. When I bought it, it was touted as being a more complete laptop than the MacBook Pro.
So, one difference is that my M2 is a MacBook Air and not the Pro version. When I bought it, it was touted as being a more complete laptop than the MacBook Pro.
Feb 2, 2023 15:12:42 #
This isn't a degradation of performance. The M2's use 512GB SSD chips and these are fast. The base models (i.e. 512GB) use a single SSD chip while the higher models (1TB+) use multiples of the same chip. Macbooks run the multiple SSD's in parallel greatly improving the read/write speeds.
However, even the single SSD is very fast. For example, my 2104 MBP with 512GB reads at ~650 MB/s and writes at ~700MB/s for the 1GB test. The base M2 reads/writes at ~2700/2850 MB/s, respectively. Running the higher M2 MBP's in parallel obviously reads/writes a lot faster.
This is the same issue with the base Macbook Airs, except they use a slightly slower 256BG SSD chip.
Comparing the SSD speeds to a 128GB USB3 flash drive, the flash drive reads/writes at ~40/300 MB/s.
As the article's analogy said, it's like comparing a car that can do 150mph vs 180mph when you might never go faster than 100mph.
However, even the single SSD is very fast. For example, my 2104 MBP with 512GB reads at ~650 MB/s and writes at ~700MB/s for the 1GB test. The base M2 reads/writes at ~2700/2850 MB/s, respectively. Running the higher M2 MBP's in parallel obviously reads/writes a lot faster.
This is the same issue with the base Macbook Airs, except they use a slightly slower 256BG SSD chip.
Comparing the SSD speeds to a 128GB USB3 flash drive, the flash drive reads/writes at ~40/300 MB/s.
As the article's analogy said, it's like comparing a car that can do 150mph vs 180mph when you might never go faster than 100mph.
Feb 2, 2023 15:48:43 #
In reading the article they are specifically talking about the M2 with a 512 gb ssd compared to the last M1 version with a 512 gb ssd. the M1 Pro model split 512GB of storage between four NAND chips while the new model uses two 256GB NAND chips. Having more NAND chips running in parallel—as the M1 Pro MacBook Pro did with four 128GB NAND chips—results in faster speed. Again as I said in my op this may not effect anyone but if feel like to me it was a surprise. After reading the article I know that if I was purchasing a MacBook Pro it would have the 1 gb ssd to avoid the design issues
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SalvageDiver wrote:
This isn't a degradation of performance. The M2's... (show quote)
Feb 2, 2023 16:57:27 #
johnec
Loc: Lancaster county, PA
kcooke wrote:
After reading the article I know that if I was purchasing a MacBook Pro it would have the 1 gb ssd to avoid the design issues.
That's a pretty tiny ssd.
Feb 2, 2023 17:26:50 #
Feb 3, 2023 08:30:03 #
kcooke wrote:
Other World Computing posted an interesting article concerning performance degredation of the new M2 Macbook Pro I do not have any of these new machines so this does not effect me. It also may not effect the majority of users here. This is a PSA for folks getting ready to buy a lower level Macbook Pro or Air. OWC is a very reliable source of info for all things Mac/Apple. Link to follow
Yes, that is becoming a popular topic, although it's probably not a major concern for most people. Apple's base models perform well, but they have been handicapped to save money. Memory swapping puts more wear on the SSD and shortens its life, although that wouldn't be a concern for most users. At first, I regretted getting upgraded memory and SSD with my M1 Air, but now I'm glad that I did.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bF_Lbdqfowo
Feb 3, 2023 11:42:43 #
I bet you are glad Jerry. When my wife gets ready ro upgrade her Mac we will go for the big Ssd and plenty of memory.
jerryc41 wrote:
Yes, that is becoming a popular topic, although it's probably not a major concern for most people. Apple's base models perform well, but they have been handicapped to save money. Memory swapping puts more wear on the SSD and shortens its life, although that wouldn't be a concern for most users. At first, I regretted getting upgraded memory and SSD with my M1 Air, but now I'm glad that I did.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bF_Lbdqfowo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bF_Lbdqfowo
Feb 3, 2023 11:45:50 #
It appears to be a problem with the 512 Hard drive option. Who would buy a new computer with only 512 GB hard drive size? Like buying a 400 HP SUV with a 10 gallon gas tank. People who do that will get what they paid for.
Feb 3, 2023 11:52:48 #
Yes it appears that way for the 512 gb ssd model. My wife has a 4 year old MacBook Air with a 256 gb hard drive and 8 gb ram. She uses an external 1TB ssd to store photos and catalog for Lightroom. It happily runs just fine.
JD750 wrote:
It appears to be a problem with the 512 Hard drive option. Who would buy a new computer with only 512 GB hard drive size? Like buying a 400 HP SUV with a 10 gallon gas tank. People who do that will get what they paid for.
Feb 3, 2023 12:03:37 #
Just Fred wrote:
I'm a big fan of OWC, having bought numerous storage, memory and Mac products (they specialize in Mac gear). They have also been around forever, so they know their stuff. That said, I have a 2022 M2 MacBook Air with 1TB SSD storage and 24GB RAM, and I haven't found any degradation between it and my 2020 M1 MacBook Pro.
So, one difference is that my M2 is a MacBook Air and not the Pro version. When I bought it, it was touted as being a more complete laptop than the MacBook Pro.
So, one difference is that my M2 is a MacBook Air and not the Pro version. When I bought it, it was touted as being a more complete laptop than the MacBook Pro.
With a 1TB SSD in your M2 Air, you avoid the issue of slow SSD performance entirely. In fact, it is only the base M2 models with just 256GB storage (M2 MacBook Air, 13" M2 MacBook Pro, and M2 Mac mini) that are slow (lacking multiple NAND chips, they cannot be set up as a RAID array). Buying at least 512GB storage in these models will get M2 buyers a fast SSD configuration.
Jump to the M2 *Pro* SOC found in the 14" and 16" M2 Pro MacBook Pros and the M2 Pro Mac mini, and the story is different. You have to buy 1TB on M2 Pro SOC-equipped Macs in order to escape the slow storage issue.
This is a subtle way Apple raises the average selling price well above the starting price. Casual users can buy the base units and probably won't know the difference. Power users should budget for at least 1TB storage and at least 16GB memory.
Feb 3, 2023 14:57:42 #
burkphoto wrote:
With a 1TB SSD in your M2 Air, you avoid the issue... (show quote)
So, Bill, this raises a question I have... (not restricted to Bill - anyone can answer!)
I'm likely going to be away from my 'main' computer (a 16g/1tb M1 Mini w/27" screen, etc) for a several weeks. Rather than take the whole kit and caboodle with me, I have been considering a MacBook Pro. I am certainly not a *power* user, and primarily use my computer for LR work and rarely use PS.
Could I get by with an 'older' M1 MBP with the 16/1 configuration, or should I spend the extra bucks for an M2?
Feb 3, 2023 18:24:45 #
TonyBot wrote:
So, Bill, this raises a question I have... (not re... (show quote)
I have the 14" MBP with the M1Pro chip, w/ 1TB and 32. It's great with LR, and I almost never use my iMac 27, because I much prefer the ergonomics and layout of the <BP. I doubt you'd notice much difference with 16 Gb memory.
Feb 3, 2023 19:49:56 #
TonyBot wrote:
So, Bill, this raises a question I have... (not re... (show quote)
The M1 MBP is a 13", so similar to the M1 Air that I'd just get the Air. I run an M1 Air with 1TB/16GB that, frankly, is all I need. I plug it into a 27" LG calibrated monitor at home in the office. I use a small dock to connect peripherals and download from SDXC cards.
https://www.charjenpro.com/products/ultimatedock
I got my Mac from Apple Refurbished and saved 15%. The only difference was that it came in a plain white box. Same warranty, same quality.
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