MBA 2014 128GB SSD Slower than 256GB?

[jjahshik32]

Hey guys,

Just curious if the 2014 MBA's 128GB SSD drive are slower than the 256GB variant? I remember reading something about the older MBAs or MBPs where the smaller SSDs were getting slower results?

 

[motrek]

Hey guys,

Just curious if the 2014 MBA's 128GB SSD drive are slower than the 256GB variant? I remember reading something about the older MBAs or MBPs where the smaller SSDs were getting slower results?

Probably. That's generally how SSDs work. More memory means more can be accessed in parallel. But the 128GB drive is fast enough that I doubt it makes any meaningful or even perceptible difference when doing almost anything.

Just ran the Black Magic Disk Speed Test on my 128GB drive, ~300 MB/s write speed and ~650 MB/s read speed. That read speed is already right at the maximum theoretical limit for SATA 3 which is how most people connect their SSDs. (Although the MBA uses PCIe for higher performance.)

 

[flowrider]

I have a 2012 11" MBA. I upgraded the SSD from the stock 64GB Unit to a Transcend 480GB replacement. The BlackMagic results are attached. And yes, larger SSDs are generally faster than smaller ones.

Lou

 

[capathy21]

Hey guys,

Just curious if the 2014 MBA's 128GB SSD drive are slower than the 256GB variant? I remember reading something about the older MBAs or MBPs where the smaller SSDs were getting slower results?

Yes and no. More than anything it is based on the brand of ssd in the machine. For example before I got my retina pro, I had a 13 inch 128GB Air. It had a Samsung brand ssd and as a result the write speed was over 650 even though it was a 128.

In comparison, my 128 retina pro and my wife's 128 Air both have SanDisk brand ssd's and as a result, their write speeds are around 300.

From the 2014's I have experienced, it seems Apple has moved to using only SanDisk brand ssd's in their 128's and as a result, the 128's are slower.

I know that the 256's are faster and probably because of the brand. I have not played with enough 256's to know for sure. But I haven't heard anyone who has a 256 and up talk about slow write speeds.

 

[Meister]

There is more to ssd performance than just blackmagic speed test read/write results.
only uses excellent ssds. I would not think about it further.

 

[capathy21]

There is more to ssd performance than just blackmagic speed test read/write results.
only uses excellent ssds. I would not think about it further.

Good point. I forgot to mention to the OP that in everyday use, one cannot tell the difference between the different speeds.

 

[jjahshik32]

Thanks for the good info guys. I'm getting close to picking a macbook something up pretty soon. Still trying to decide between a MBA 13", MBA 11", rMBP 13", or a rMBP 15".

I thought I'd want the 15" but coming from a 2011 15", I kind of want something more portable so now I'm leaning against the MBA or the 13" rMBP.

The 11 incher looks and feels so cool (its like the Apple version of the Sony Vaio TZ model that I've owned in the past) but I'm afraid that when I decide to do some development on the 11", it will be too small. So it all comes down to the 13" MBA or the 13" rMBP. But I'm definitely going to go with the 256GB model, thanks again. 🙂