Following the launch of Apple’s new 13-inch MacBook Pro with the M2 chip, it has been discovered that the $ 1,299 base model with 256GB of storage has significantly slower SSD read / write speeds compared to the model equivalent of the previous generation.
YouTube channels such as Max Tech and Created Tech tested the 256 GB model with Blackmagic’s Disk Speed Test application and found that the read and write speeds of the SSD are about 1,450 MB / s, which is about 50% slower reading and 30% slower writing compared. on the 13-inch MacBook Pro with the M1 chip and 256GB of storage.
Numbers of disk speed test applications shared by Vadim Yuryev of Max Tech:
- 13-inch MacBook Pro (M1 / 256 GB) Read speed: 2,900
- 13-inch MacBook Pro (M2 / 256 GB) Read speed: 1,446
- 13-inch MacBook Pro (M1 / 256 GB) Write speed: 2,215
- 13-inch MacBook Pro (M2 / 256 GB) Write speed: 1,463
Yuryev disassembled the new 13-inch MacBook Pro and found that the 256GB model is only equipped with a single NAND flash storage chip, while the previous model has two NAND chips that are probably 128GB each. This difference probably explains why the new model has a slower SSD, as multiple NAND chips allow faster speeds in parallel.
It looks like only the base 13-inch MacBook Pro model with M2 chip has a slower SSD. As noted in the MacRumors forums, Aaron Zollo ran the Disk Speed Test application on the 512 GB model and the read / write speeds of the SSD were similar to all M1 models, but to achieve these speeds will require spending at least $ 1,499. This probably means that the 512GB model is still equipped with two 256GB flash storage chips.
It’s unclear why the new 13-inch MacBook Pro base model is only equipped with a single NAND chip, but costs and / or supply limitations are two possible factors. We have contacted Apple for feedback and will update this story if we have a response.
Slower SSD speeds can affect common tasks, such as transferring files to an external drive, and overall performance can also be slightly successful, as Macs temporarily use SSD space as virtual memory when physical RAM is s ‘uses completely. If you think the new 13-inch MacBook Pro and faster SSD speeds are important to you, we recommend ordering a model with at least 512GB of storage (or better yet, wait for the new MacBook Air in July).
The new 13-inch MacBook Pro was unveiled on Friday. The slower SSD speeds of the base model were not mentioned in many (any?) Embargoed reviews of the laptop, as it appears that Apple provided many reviewers with a 1 TB configuration to test.
It remains to be seen whether the new MacBook Air with the M2 chip will also have slower SSD speeds when configured with 256GB of storage.