15-Inch MacBook Air With 256GB Storage Has Slower SSD Speeds Than Higher-Capacity Models

[MacRumors]

As expected, the 15-inch MacBook Air with 256GB of storage is equipped with a single NAND chip, according to YouTube channel Max Tech. This will result in the 256GB model having slower SSD read and write speeds compared to 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB models that have multiple NAND chips for faster speeds, but real-world results will vary.

256GB models of the latest 13-inch MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro, and Mac mini also have a single NAND chip, with benchmark results showing a 30% to 50% reduction in SSD speeds compared to previous-generation models. Apple previously used two 128GB chips for 256GB Macs, but it switched to a single 256GB chip for newer models.

Slower SSD speeds can impact tasks such as transferring files to an external drive, and overall system performance can take a slight hit during heavy workloads, as Macs temporarily use SSD space as virtual memory when physical RAM is fully used. However, the average customer purchasing an entry-level 15-inch MacBook Air is unlikely to notice the slower speeds. Customers who need the fastest speeds should configure their 15-inch MacBook Air with at least 512GB of storage, which is a $200 upgrade over the 256GB model.

The 15-inch MacBook Air launched today after orders began last week. The laptop has the same M2 chip and overall design as the 13-inch model, with key new features including a larger display and two additional speakers. Pricing for the 15-inch model starts at $1,299, while the 13-inch model now starts at a lower $1,099.

Article Link: 15-Inch MacBook Air With 256GB Storage Has Slower SSD Speeds Than Higher-Capacity Models

 

[erikkfi]

This is typical, and we've seen time and again that typical end users don't care.

(If you're on this forum, you're not a typical end user).

 

[azentropy]

Apple has to save that $2 per system to go with a single module!

 

[jz0309]

This is typical, and we've seen time and again that typical end users don't care.

(If you're on this forum, you're not a typical end user).

Totally agree and we will both get plenty dislikes
And who really “needs the fastest SSD speeds” is most likely going to need a MBP

 

[boss.king]

I really wish MacRumors would stop amplifying low-quality channels like Max Tech.

 

[Andres Cantu]

If Apple had kept the base model M1 machines to have the same slower SSD speeds as the base M2 models, the backlash would have been lesser.

I wonder why they didn’t do that in the first place? Would have saved on costs, as well.

 

[JPack]

Did anybody expect anything different?

The logic board is a direct copy and paste from the 13-inch model.

 

[nfl46]

Yep. I was aware of this when I got the base 15 inch. I'm not surprised. Lol.

 

[ShivneelSingh]

I knew Apple was going to do this, that's why I didn't pull the trigger.
SOOO glad I'm keeping my 2021 MBP M1 Max. I don't mind the weight of the 16"

 

[jwdsail]

As expected, the 15-inch MacBook Air with 256GB of storage is equipped with a single NAND chip, according to YouTube channel Max Tech. This will result in the 256GB model having slower SSD read and write speeds compared to 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB models that have multiple NAND chips for faster speeds, but real-world results vary.

256GB models of the latest 13-inch MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro, and Mac mini also have a single NAND chip, with benchmark results showing a 30% to 50% reduction in SSD speeds compared to previous-generation models. Apple previously used two 128GB chips for 256GB Macs, but it switched to a single 256GB chip for newer models.

Slower SSD speeds can impact tasks such as transferring files to an external drive, and overall system performance can take a slight hit, as Macs temporarily use SSD space as virtual memory when physical RAM is fully used. The average customer purchasing an entry-level 15-inch MacBook Air is unlikely to notice the slower speeds, but those who need the fastest speeds should configure the laptop with at least 512GB of storage.

The 15-inch MacBook Air launched today after orders began last week. The laptop has the same M2 chip and overall design as the 13-inch model, with key new features including a larger display and two additional speakers. Pricing for the 15-inch model starts at $1,299, while the 13-inch model now starts at a lower $1,099.

Article Link: 15-Inch MacBook Air With 256GB Storage Has Slower SSD Speeds Than Higher-Capacity Models

Sigh.

Apple?

Yes, come here just for a minute, we need to talk.

No, no, your pet turtle didn't go to the farm to be with your hamster...

We need to talk about this SSD thing.. Yes, that.

I'm not mad, I'm just disappointed.

SMFH

 

[Mansu944]

This is normal for Apple, no?

 

[Michael Scrip]

Even at only 1,500MB/s.... the base 256GB SSD still faster than anything I would be copying to or copying from.

My SD cards are rated at 95MB/s and my portable T5 drive is 500MB/s 🤣

But I can see the frustration.

 

[johnrlaporta]

Eh, that's always the deal. For years you had the 5400 RPM HD on the lowest iMac, then the Fusion Drive, then the pure SSD on the high end. Nothing surprising here.

 

[sw1tcher]

No one should be surprised by this. This was to be expected.

 

[mcnallym]

I knew Apple was going to do this, that's why I didn't pull the trigger.
SOOO glad I'm keeping my 2021 MBP M1 Max. I don't mind the weight of the 16"

and if a mba met your needs then congratulations on massively overbuying with MBP with a Max Processor.

 

[Samu25]

I had just seen the video from Max Tech, and boom, the article is here already!

Glad I went with the 16/512 configuration.

 

[sw1tcher]

Eh, that's always the deal.

It wasn't always the deal. The 256GB M1 MacBook Air used two 128GB NAND chips. Apple took a step back and switched to a single NAND chip with the 256GB M2 MacBook Air.

The same goes for the Mac mini and MacBook pro

New 256GB Mac Mini and 512GB MacBook Pro Have Slower SSD Speeds Than Previous Models

While the new Mac mini with the M2 chip has a lower $599 starting price, the base model with 256GB of storage has slower SSD read and write...

www.macrumors.com

 

[Orange Bat]

This is one of those things that makes for good YouTube videos, but I haven’t met anyone with a base MBA that really notices, even those who do more than basic stuff.

 

[CWallace]

If Apple had kept the base model M1 machines to have the same slower SSD speeds as the base M2 models, the backlash would have been lesser.

I wonder why they didn’t do that in the first place? Would have saved on costs, as well.

Purely spit-balling, but my guess is Apple got a great price on the 128GB storage modules - a price for two lower than they would have had to pay for a single 256GB module. Once those deals ran out, they switched to the 256GB module. If this is the case, what would be interesting to know is if Apple is still manufacturing M1 models today, do those models have the 128GB modules or have they also switched to 256GB modules?

It is also possible Apple spent more money to use multiple 128GB modules for the M1 models to help the machine benchmark as high as possible since they were going to be compared to the existing Intel models. Once Apple Silicon was established, they could then move to 256GB modules to save money since even if disk reads/writes were slower, the overall performance was still much better than the Intel models.

 

[fbr$]

Apple has to save that $2 per system to go with a single module!

I don't think it's the $2 they save on the 256GB model that matters, it's the extra $200 they get making people jump to the 512GB model.

 

[sw1tcher]

And who really “needs the fastest SSD speeds” is most likely going to need a MBP

Like the 13" MacBook Pro that also has a slower SSD? 🤣

New 256GB Mac Mini and 512GB MacBook Pro Have Slower SSD Speeds Than Previous Models

While the new Mac mini with the M2 chip has a lower $599 starting price, the base model with 256GB of storage has slower SSD read and write...

www.macrumors.com

 

[boak]

I really wish MacRumors would stop amplifying low-quality channels like Max Tech.

Quickly went through the video and omg there’s just so much fluff to make the video longer

 

[Algus]

I did anticipate this. Which is why I bought a 512 GB upgrade when I could probably get by with a 256 GB machine.

 

[ppj845]

I really wish MacRumors would stop amplifying low-quality channels like Max Tech.

I give them for being really hardworking on always trying to do as many tests as possible and tear down as early as possible. That being said, I can’t stand the way they speak, stretching and slowing down on the last three words of EVERY SENTENCE.

 

[Matsamoto]

I'm shocked😳
Apple wouldn't do this!

Oh wait. They just did.
And the model before. And the model before😂

Actually I'm starting to think that the original M1 256 is the right way to go.