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Western Digital Scorpio vs. Seagate Momentus

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feedmeister

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Original poster
Jun 21, 2008
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Hi All,

So I think I've done my research and it pretty much boils down to the Seagate Momentus or Western Digital Scorpio for upgrading my MBP.

Western Digital Scorpio Blue WD5000BEVT 500GB 5400 RPM 8MB Cache 2.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Notebook Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136314

Seagate Momentus 7200.4 ST9500420AS 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache 2.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Notebook Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148374

I'm not sure which one to go with... Obviously one is 7200RPM and the other is 5400RPM, but my main thing is that I don't want my 13" MacBook Pro to run hotter but I also want it to be fast either keep battery life same or improve it. I know the WD will keep my battery life relatively the same and is quite fast and quiet, but I don't want to miss out on the 7200RPM because it is obviously faster. I don't want it to vibrate or be louder than the stock drive that came with my laptop.

Maybe you guys can get me to go in the right direction.. I really want 500GB because I like to have everything in my laptop, and portable externals aren't really that convenient. Also, I'm thinking WD might be coming out with the 7200RPM 500GB soon, but I'm not sure I can wait.. I'm down to 46GB and I'm trying to hold off installing/downloading anything because I don't want to bog down my computer.

Also, what's the difference between buying Retail and OEM. I know OEM is original equipment manufacturer, but how do the two differentiate?

Let me know what you think. Sorry, I know there's a lot of threads that talk about 'em, but I'm just not sure at this point! I'd like to order them by Sunday afternoon, so I can get them early next week.

Thanks for your help!
 
I recommend the Scorpio Blue
Quiet, cool and fast

7200 v. 5400 is not cut and dry

Scorpio Blue and Black Review

The OEM will not come with a fancy box, etc.

Having said that, you can't go wrong with either

Some complain about the Scorpio being loud
Some complain the Seagate vibrates

Just buy one and enjoy, and don't second guess yourself (or pick it to death)

Woof, Woof - Dawg
pawprint.gif
 
i dont know about seagate, i got a 320gb 7200 and it made so much noise i returned it, and im waiting for a wd 500gb 7200.
 
feedmeister said:
Let me know what you think. Sorry, I know there's a lot of threads that talk about 'em, but I'm just not sure at this point! I'd like to order them by Sunday afternoon, so I can get them early next week.
Click to expand...

For overall performance check out the Samsung F1 series of HDD's. For Uber reliability look into the Seagates more. I've never had issues with either of them.
 
One thing I've learned from my IT admin Dad is NEVER go for new drive capacities. The Scorpio Blue comes in bigger capacities, but has 50% less cache (important) than the Scorpio Black. The new 500GB drives are new models, therefore very prone to manufacturing defects/failures than older, proven capacities (320GB and below).

I strongly advise against WD because they usually lack in reliability compared to Hitachi (their hard drive department was bought from IBM) and Seagate. Hitachi is obviously cheaper, but their Travelstar notebook hard drive line is pretty good. My recommendation has to be a Seagate Momentus, reliability and performance.

Oh, and btw, vibration/noise issues are mostly moot because the unibody aluminum absorbs sound and vibrations pretty well. You'll still hear it, but less so than in previous generations of MacBook Pros and MacBooks.
 
MacDawg said:
I recommend the Scorpio Blue
Quiet, cool and fast

7200 v. 5400 is not cut and dry
Click to expand...

Yeah, I've seen comparisons where 5400s out preformed the 7200s, WD uses algorithms and other forms of electronic voodoo to really dump data into the bus.

I'd go with the WD too, I've not heard a lot of good about Seagate's larger drives recently.
 
SnowLeopard2008 said:
One thing I've learned from my IT admin Dad is NEVER go for new drive capacities. The Scorpio Blue comes in bigger capacities, but has 50% less cache (important) than the Scorpio Black. The new 500GB drives are new models, therefore very prone to manufacturing defects/failures than older, proven capacities (320GB and below).

I strongly advise against WD because they usually lack in reliability compared to Hitachi (their hard drive department was bought from IBM) and Seagate. Hitachi is obviously cheaper, but their Travelstar notebook hard drive line is pretty good. My recommendation has to be a Seagate Momentus, reliability and performance.
Click to expand...

"usually lack in reliability compared to..."
Do you have any hard evidence or is this just anecdotal?
Many here disagree and will swap "Seagate" and "WD" in any good/bad comparison
Every drive/company has its fans and its critics based on personal experience


Oh, and btw, vibration/noise issues are mostly moot because the unibody aluminum absorbs sound and vibrations pretty well. You'll still hear it, but less so than in previous generations of MacBook Pros and MacBooks.
Click to expand...

Tell that to all of the threads about noise and vibration here on the board

Woof, Woof - Dawg
pawprint.gif
 
I was leaning towards the WD before I posted this thread but I really thought that it would win on quietness, battery life, and heat dissipation whereas the Seagate would win in speed and well, that's about it.

I've heard a lot of good reviews about the WD, but didn't really hear much about the Seagate.

The issue where I am stuck is that I would want something quick but would hate for it to reduce my great battery life to something less than satisfying. Also, sometimes when I watch HD movies, my fan and hard drive start getting really loud and I was thinking that maybe replacing the HDD and the RAM would make a difference in that situation.

I would just hate to have a warmer, louder, with less battery life MacBook Pro at the end of the day.

Ahh.. I might as well close my eyes and pick one. (Probably the WD because it's cheaper :p)

I've never thought about the Hitachi... I've always thought they were subpar to the WD and Seagate. The Seagate I'm worried will be loud and will drain my battery faster. If it didn't, I'd be sold.

Is anyone using the Seagate? I know a lot of you are using the WD, but I have yet to hear from the people who are using Seagate in their MBP (preferably, Mid-2009 13" so I can compare).

Thanks for your input everyone, it's made my decision easier yet harder at the same time :p
 
clicking noise every 12 or so seconds

apparently, the scorpio blue makes noise in the mid-2009 mbp only. search some of the other threads here. i've actually just bought one, and am thinking about taking it back after reading about the noise.
 
If you do get the Momentus 7200.4, just make sure it's the one WITHOUT the built in G-shock protection (model ST9500420AS, *NOT* the ST9500420ASG).:)
 
If I remember correctly a lot of the issues involved sudden motion sensors that conflict with the one built in to the MBs and MBPs. I'm pretty sure the blues don't have one built in. If it does take it back and get one that doesn't.
 
I have one more vote for the Scorpio Blue. Since I bought mine in late May, I've had no problems it. It's very quiet and I absolutely love the 500GB storage capacity.

But, in reality, either drive would probably be just fine.
 
I got a 320GB Scorpio Blue in my mbp (had it for 13 months now, no hiccups) and my brother has a 500GB in his, both very happy!
 
I only buy Seagate as they have better cache, better speed, 5 Year Warranty, & EVERY WD drive I have ever had lasted less than a year. :(
Even the one in my 250 GB Lacie!
WD Has always had reliability issues.
My wife is a teacher in a Mac Lab & Every year she has several drives die, 9 times out of 10 it's a WD drive. The school will only buy Seagates or samsung.

Have had 4 seagate drives of various sizes for over 8 years, still running, & 4 1 tb drives for 2+ years no problem.

No problems with my Raptor yet, knocks on wood.......
 
MacDawg said:
"usually lack in reliability compared to..."
Do you have any hard evidence or is this just anecdotal?
Many here disagree and will swap "Seagate" and "WD" in any good/bad comparison
Every drive/company has its fans and its critics based on personal experience




Tell that to all of the threads about noise and vibration here on the board

Woof, Woof - Dawg
pawprint.gif
Click to expand...

That applies to WD drives as much as Seagate drives. Many people here on these forums are biased towards Mac. Does that mean Windows is always inferior? We tend to "swap "Microsoft" and "Apple" in any good/bad comparison". So do you have a valid point? Any personal experiences that relate otherwise, or do you just believe every thread on the internet bashing Seagate?

Example thread of a WD Scorpio buyer who regretted his purchase.

https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=8139520#post8139520

So far I haven't seen a Seagate drive buyer who regretted his/her purchase, at least not recently.

mperkins37 said:
I only buy Seagate as they have better cache, better speed, 5 Year Warranty, & EVERY WD drive I have ever had lasted less than a year. :(
Even the one in my 250 GB Lacie!
WD Has always had reliability issues.
My wife is a teacher in a Mac Lab & Every year she has several drives die, 9 times out of 10 it's a WD drive. The school will only buy Seagates or samsung.

Have had 4 seagate drives of various sizes for over 8 years, still running, & 4 1 tb drives for 2+ years no problem.

No problems with my Raptor yet, knocks on wood.......
Click to expand...

Ditto. My friend's external drive which was a WD Passport [to death] just died yesterday. And my 2 year old 120GB Seagate is still chugging along just fine.
 
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