Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Recent M1 MacBook Air with slower SSD?
- Thread starter JPack
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Good question! Look forward to people chiming in with solid empirical data…
As to the answer, my Magic 8 Ball says “Most likely” and “Yes, as I see it”!
Given the recent results with the 13” M2 MBP that would mean going for 512 GB is a smart move.
In the past, 512GB SSD almost always made more sense as the drives were faster. Why, I don’t know, but extensive testing over many years and many models showed that.
Now, some say it has few real world noticeable effects; others disagree.
As to the answer, my Magic 8 Ball says “Most likely” and “Yes, as I see it”!
Given the recent results with the 13” M2 MBP that would mean going for 512 GB is a smart move.
In the past, 512GB SSD almost always made more sense as the drives were faster. Why, I don’t know, but extensive testing over many years and many models showed that.
Now, some say it has few real world noticeable effects; others disagree.
I have 1TB, so I wouldn't know what it feels to have "slower".
MB? Sorry, In just had to. That said, impressive speeds. But where is the 4K Random @ QD1?
Just tested my MacBook Air M1 256GB which I bought last week - manufacture date is 15th May 2022.
I got the pretty much the same as Unixfool above, which is the same as what MaxTech found in their tests against the M2 MacBook Pro 256GB.
It's probably unlikely to see any potential hardware changes in the M1 MacBook Air until Apple are sending out recently manufactured models, I would assume.
I got the pretty much the same as Unixfool above, which is the same as what MaxTech found in their tests against the M2 MacBook Pro 256GB.
It's probably unlikely to see any potential hardware changes in the M1 MacBook Air until Apple are sending out recently manufactured models, I would assume.
Am I reading these results right?
Assuming the last several devices and their screenshots came from M1 MBAs, we're seeing much faster write speeds and slightly faster read speeds with 512GB vs. 256GB.
3438 or 3403 vs. 2280
2948 or 2849 vs. 2703
Bottom line: For many people, the 512GB SSD is a smarter choice — and even more so if the amount of local storage matters.
Assuming the last several devices and their screenshots came from M1 MBAs, we're seeing much faster write speeds and slightly faster read speeds with 512GB vs. 256GB.
3438 or 3403 vs. 2280
2948 or 2849 vs. 2703
Bottom line: For many people, the 512GB SSD is a smarter choice — and even more so if the amount of local storage matters.