After Apple introduced the new 13-inch MacBook Pro with an M2 chip, it was discovered that the $1,299 base model with 256GB of storage significantly reduced SSD read/write speeds compared to the previous generation model.
Channels like YouTube Channels Extreme Technology and High Tech A 256GB sample test using Blackmagic’s Disk Speed Test app found that the SSD’s read and write speeds were around 1,450MB/s, which is 50% slower read and 30% slower write compared to the MacBook Pro. 13 inches. M1 chip and 256 GB storage.
Disk speed test usage numbers shared by Vadim Yuryev from Max Tech:
- Read Speed for 13-inch MacBook Pro (M1/256GB): 2900
- Read Speed for MacBook Pro 13-inch (M2/256GB): 1446
- 13-inch MacBook Pro (M1/256GB) Write Speed: 2215
- MacBook Pro 13-inch (M2/256GB) write speed: 1,463
Uriyev split the new 13-inch MacBook Pro and found that the 256GB model was equipped with only one NAND flash storage chip, while the previous model had two NAND chips with 128GB each. This difference explains why the newer model has a slower SSD, as many NAND chips allow higher speeds in parallel.
The base model of the 13-inch MacBook Pro with the M2 chip appears to have a slower SSD drive. As mentioned in Macromers Aaron Solo’s 512GB model enables Disk Speed Test and the SSD read/write speed was the same as all M1 models, but it costs at least $1,499 to get that speed. This means that the 512GB model will be equipped with two 256GB flash storage slots.
It’s not clear why the new base model of the 13-inch MacBook Pro will have a NAND chip, but costs and/or distribution limitations are two potential factors. We’ve contacted Apple for feedback and will update this story if we ask again.
Slow SSD speeds can affect common tasks like moving files to an external drive, and overall performance may be affected slightly as Macs use SSD space temporarily as virtual memory. If you think the new 13-inch MacBook Pro and faster SSD speeds are important to you, we recommend ordering the model with at least 512GB of storage (or wait until the new MacBook Air becomes available in July).
The new 13-inch MacBook Pro was revealed on Friday. The base model’s sluggish SSD speed hasn’t been identified in many (any?) Prohibited reviews on the notebook, and Apple apparently provided 1TB of configuration for testing by several reviewers.
It remains to be seen if the new MacBook Air with the M2 chip will have a slower SSD speed when configured with 256GB of storage.
“Beer lovers. Music world. Internet fanatic. continuous. player. Typical food expert. coffee expert.”