Which HDD should I get?

[SloopJohnB]

Hi fellow mac users!

I'm thinking about upgrading my nvidia whitebook's HDD. I'm considering these options:

Seagate Momentus 7200.3 ST9320421AS 320GB 7200 RPM 2.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Notebook Hard Drive (Bare drive) - OEM

Cache: 16MB
Average Latency: 4.17ms
Parts: 3 years limited
Labor: 3 years limited
Model #: ST9320421AS
Item #: N82E16822148336



Seagate Momentus 7200.4 ST9320423AS 320GB 7200 RPM 2.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Notebook Hard Drive - OEM

Cache: 16MB
Average Latency: 4.17ms
Features: Native Command Queuing Green features: - Lowest-power 7200-RPM laptop hard drive yet - Ramp load features improve idle power consumption State-of-the-art error correction Fluid dynamic bearing motor Support for S.M.A.R.T. drive monitoring and reporting Support for Read Multiple and Write Multiple commands
Model #: ST9320423AS
Item #: N82E16822148446


Western Digital Scorpio Black WD3200BEKT 320GB 7200 RPM 2.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Notebook Hard Drive - OEM

Cache: 16MB
Average Seek Time: 12ms
Average Latency: 5.5ms
Windows Vista: Works with Windows Vista
Features: Desktop-class performance for notebook computers Massive capacity Low power consumption Quiet Reliable and rugged Tested for compatibility
Parts: 5 years limited
Labor: 5 years limited
Model #: WD3200BEKT
Item #: N82E16822136280



Are these the best? Should I look for another brand or model? Which is the best 7200rpm 320gb HDD today for the macbook? (in terms of heat, noise and performance)??


Thanks a lot!

 

[Kingcodez]

I prefer the WD Scorpio's, but the Seagate's are quite good.
Seagate actually just released a 7200RPM 500GB drive on newegg.

Both drives are basically the same, one is a tiny bit better in This, one is a tiny bit better in That, they both are very reliable, reputable brands. They both have drives that are faulty, and are DOA. They both have their respective fanboys, in the end any difference you will hardly notice, unless you are comparing a working drive with one that may have a problem from the factory.

It's like the people that freak out over the uMB's screen, xxxxx6 is brighter than xxxxx5 but xxxxx4 has 4% better color saturation.

Either way if you seriously need the best, you will go buy a external monitor.
It's just making Apple noobs (like me) fret over the smallest stupidest detail.
uMB has a great screen, uMBP has a better one. My external $100 LCD has the best one.

But hard drive wise, their basically the same.

In regards to the Seagate, the 7200.4 is the NEWEST version of the 7200 HDDs, so it should in theory, be slightly faster ect ect as it is newer..

The Scorpios have a harder to understand system, but just lookup up what the newest one is and see if it's the one newegg has.

Just remember that people always get DOA items, and don't connect DOA with that brand, especially if it's a good brand.

I think WD's are faster, and Seagates are slightly cooler or quieter. Yet the differences would be minimal at best.

 

[bozz2006]

+1 for the Seagate 7200.4
I have it in my macbook and I can say it is the best laptop HDD you can buy. But, does it really come in a 320GB version? I thought it was only 250GB and 500GB.

 

[Shawny D]

WD3200BEKT has been running solidly for me, can't say the same about the Seagate 7200.4. (Just look at the mixed reviews on Newegg.)

 

[morrisman1]

check out tomshardware.com

they did a test on a series of 2.5" hard drives. there were some real performers in the 7200rpm range and in some cases they were just as efficient as the 5400rpm drives. 7200rpm drives are sooo much faster than 5400rpm drives and i think that they are a better upgrade than ram in a notebook as they affect everything but upgrading ram only really improves speed when you are running bloatware like photoshop

 

[bozz2006]

check out tomshardware.com

they did a test on a series of 2.5" hard drives. there were some real performers in the 7200rpm range and in some cases they were just as efficient as the 5400rpm drives. 7200rpm drives are sooo much faster than 5400rpm drives and i think that they are a better upgrade than ram in a notebook as they affect everything but upgrading ram only really improves speed when you are running bloatware like photoshop

+1 for this.

 

[GoHack]

+1 for the Seagate 7200.4
I have it in my macbook and I can say it is the best laptop HDD you can buy. But, does it really come in a 320GB version? I thought it was only 250GB and 500GB.

I just installed the 320GB, 7200.4, in my uMB, so yes it is available.

No complaints yet.

.