M2 MacBook Pro Speed related to Storage Capacity

[AZdgordon]

I recall reading that tests of the base M2 MacBook Pro showed it to be slower than the predecessor M1 MacBook Pro. And that it was determined that the 512gb base storage capacity was related to that slower speed, since the higher storage capacity models - such as 1Tb, were in fact faster than the M1 models. I know processing speed is relative to what’s being done, so the reference is basically to benchmark testing. I’m closer to making the purchase, so I hope someone could help clear this up for me, and possible direct me to articles or test results addressing this. Thank you.

 

[Tom_N]

I recall reading that tests of the base M2 MacBook Pro showed it to be slower than the predecessor M1 MacBook Pro. And that it was determined that the 512gb base storage capacity was related to that slower speed, since the higher storage capacity models - such as 1Tb, were in fact faster than the M1 models. I know processing speed is relative to what’s being done, so the reference is basically to benchmark testing. I’m closer to making the purchase, so I hope someone could help clear this up for me, and possible direct me to articles or test results addressing this. Thank you.

It appears that the old 512 GB M1 Pro/Max MacBook Pros had their SSDs arranged as (4 x 128 GB), while the new M2 Pro/Max ones have theirs arranged as (2 x 256 GB). The 'slow' 512 GB SSD is about as fast as a Thunderbolt 3 / PCIe NVMe SSD, maybe a bit faster.

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/202...have-slower-ssd-performance-than-m1-versions/

With the 13" notebooks, the M1 versions had their 256 GB SSDs arranged as (2 x 128 GB) while the the M2 versions had theirs arranged as (1 x 256 GB). The 'slow' 256 GB SSD here is much slower than the 'slow' 512 GB SSD above; though it is still faster than any USB/SATA SSD, and faster than USB 3.1 Gen 2.

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/202...s-only-about-half-as-fast-as-the-m1-versions/

 

[Tom_N]

YouTube – ArtIsRight – A Practical Talk about M2 PRO/MAX Generation SSD Speed in Pro Photo & Video Workflow

This is a bit over 32 minutes long and has timings from Llightroom Classic, Capture One, and Photoshop tests. In the end, the guy concludes that (at least for some users), more RAM (32 GB) provides better bang for the buck than a larger SSD.

 

[AZdgordon]

Thank you, Tom.

 

[Abbott Schindler]

There were some articles written about this when the M2 MBPs shipped. It turned out that Apple decided to change the SSD chip configurations in the M2s. The M2 with 512GB SSD has a single connection to the SSD whereas the equivalent M1 MBP has 2 connections—hence twice the maximum data transfer rate.

The 1TB M1 and M2 MBPs both have two SSD transfer paths, so the SSD performance hit's gone with 1TB SSD and larger.

Unless you're working with a lot of large video files, large batches of big camera images or things like that—where huge amounts of data need to be moved as quickly as possible—you probably won't notice a performance difference.

I opted for a 1TB M2 both because I wanted more than 512GB of capacity for various reasons, and because it's less costly to pay for potentially unneeded storage now than to have to replace a machine prematurely because you need more capacity. I know that external SSDs are fast (I carry a couple with me when I travel), but they add bulk to the travel kit and are a bit awkward.

32GB of memory is probably the sweet spot for most users I can think of, unless again you're doing a lot of video work, compositing lots of big images (think focus stacks, panoramas, etc.) or other things that require calculations to big data sets.

 

[AZdgordon]

Thank you. I think what you described is what I recall having read. I’m inclined to get the 1 Tb storage with 16 gb RAM - probably more storage than I need, but it doesn’t hurt to have it, as you note. And, better to have the files on the MBP than an external SSD, in case you forget to pack the external drive.

The DPReview community has been terrific at answering such questions and at providing greater insight to so many issues - both camera and Mac-related. It will be missed.