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Apple MacBook Pro M2: 256 GB SSD considerably slower than the M1

28.6.2022

Translation: machine translated

The new 13-inch MacBook Pro M2 is said to have slow read and write rates in the configuration with a 256 GB SSD. Compared with the predecessor, the speed is said to have decreased by 50 percent in reading and 30 percent in writing.

Youtubers Max Tech and Created Tech both tested the SSD of the new MacBook Pro and came to the same conclusion: The entry-level M2 model has a slower 256 GB SSD than last year's M1 model. They used Blackmagic's Disk Speed Test software for the tests. The speed decreased by about 50 percent when reading, and about 30 percent when writing.

While disassembling the new MacBook Pro M2, Max Tech also found the reason for the throttling. The new model has a single memory chip, whereas the M1 has two NAND packages with 128 GB, which ensures more speed due to parallel use. This means 3389 megabytes per second instead of the new 1709 during reading. And 2432 megabytes per second instead of 1642 when writing.

All other new MacBook Pro M2s, with larger SSDs, are not supposed to have any problems in terms of storage speed and are supposed to be fast as usual. Apple has not yet released a statement. A possible thought process of the decision makers responsible for this cost reduction could have been that the users of the entry-level models mostly surf the web or use Office - and thus hardly notice the loss, or they do not need more speed. This would also fit the RAM, which is rather tight for "pro work" with 8 GB in the 256 GB version.

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Martin Jud

Senior Editor

martin.jud@digitecgalaxus.ch

I find my muse in everything. When I don’t, I draw inspiration from daydreaming. After all, if you dream, you don’t sleep through life.

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