What are the HDDs in the new uMBPs?

[dwmac]

I was wondering, and haven't been able to find any information, about which HDDs Apple is using in the new uMBPs.

I'm about to order a 15", and I'm trying to decide between the 500GB HDD in 5400 RPM or 7200 RPM. Is the 7200 RPM a Seagate Momentus 7200.4? I'm not aware of any other 500 GB 2.5" drives at 7200, but maybe there's something I've missed. And what about the 5400?

Since some reviews have suggested that the 7200.4 doesn't really offer much in the way of performance upgrades, do people think it is worth the extra noise and heat to do the BTO option for the 7200 RPM?

 

[maflynn]

That's because apple doesn't rely on a single source for their hard drives. I think they typically buy from seagate, WD and I believe hitachi.

 

[a13x]

Also, some people claim that the SSDs are from Samsung...the same sold by Crucial.

 

[iLog.Genius]

Based on MacBook's and MacBook Pro's I've been around, they usually have Hitachi HDD's on the base and/or 5400 RPM models. For the 7200 RPM HDD's, I believe Seagate is the only manufacturer to provide those drives.

As for the question of is it really worth it. You will notice a speed difference with the 7200.4 drive but you would have to know who is manufacturing the 500GB 5400 RPM drive. I tried the 7200.4, way too much vibration so I opted for the WD 5400 drive with very similar performance and a lower price. It would also depend which 15-inch model you're considering. If it's the lower or mid model, you could find the 7200.4 drive at a lower price than what Apple has it ($180.00 CDN). If it's the high-end you're looking at, it's up to you by just doing research and looking at benchmarks.

 

[Philflow]

500GB 7200rpm = Seagate 7200.4
500GB 5400rpm = Hitachi 5K500.b

Benchmarks: http://www.techreport.com/articles.x/17010/7

 

[dwmac]

Thanks for the info. The benchmarks on the 7200.4 are pretty mediocre, even compared to the Hitachi....