Apple’s Base MacBook Pro 13 With M2 Has a Much Slower SSD Than the Previous Model

Apple boasted at WWDC 2022 in regards to the efficiency of its M2 chip however failed to say something about slower SSD speeds within the refreshed MacBook Pro 13. As MacRumors reports, YouTubers Max Tech and Created Tech found that the bottom mannequin with 256GB of storage has considerably decreased storage speeds in comparison with the earlier M1 MacBook Pro.

And by considerably, I imply that the learn and write speeds are about 50% and 30% slower, respectively, than earlier than. The two YouTuber channels used Blackmagic’s Disk Speed Test app as a efficiency benchmark. Max Tech clocked a 1,463 MB/s write velocity on the M2 MacBook 13, which is down from 2,215 MB/s on the M1 model.

Here are the complete Disk Speed Test outcomes gathered by Vadim Yuryev at Max Tech.

• 13-inch MacBook Pro (M1/256GB) Read Speed: 2,900 MB/s
• 13-inch MacBook Pro (M2/256GB) Read Speed: 1,446 MB/s
• 13-inch MacBook Pro (M1/256GB) Write Speed: 2,215 MB/s
• 13-inch MacBook Pro (M2/256GB) Write Speed: 1,463 MB/s

When I first noticed these numbers, my intuition was in charge the testing software program—benchmark errors aren’t so unusual. But that’s not what is going on right here. Apple is certainly skimping out and we have now proof. Yuryev disassembled the brand new Pro 13 and located that the 256GB mannequin has just one NAND flash storage chip whereas the earlier mannequin had twin 128GB chips. This is a vital distinction, as a result of a number of NAND chips working in parallel can allow quicker speeds.

Apple conveniently despatched us, and most different reviewers, a 1TB unit so we haven’t had an opportunity to confirm these outcomes. We’ll do additional testing after we get our fingers on a base mannequin and can replace this text with extra findings. More costly fashions with 512GB and up obtain related speeds to the earlier variations—solely these attempting to save lots of a buck by shopping for the $1,299 base version are caught with slower storage speeds.

We don’t know why Apple selected to equip the bottom MacBook Pro 13 with just one NAND chip, however decreasing prices (and holding margins excessive) in a approach that isn’t seen to prospects is one idea. Supply chain points that proceed to impression the whole trade is one other one. We’ve reached out to Apple for remark and can replace this text as quickly as doable.

Whatever the case, Apple hasn’t been clear in regards to the decreased SSD speeds, which may considerably impression efficiency when working sure workloads, like when transferring recordsdata to an exterior drive. We can solely hope the corporate didn’t lower any corners with the new MacBook Air, the laptop computer we predict most individuals can buy over the Pro 13 anyway.