160 meg 5,400 vs 7,200 reliability?

[dmaxdmax]

I was in the local Store this weekend and a genius told me a number of customers had come in with MBP 7,200rpm problems. He was clear that this was not official, just his observation, and recommended the 5,400 drive plus a fast FW800 external. (which I'll have anyway to use as a video scratch drive)

Thoughts? Thanks.

 

[Jamiephofe]

I was in the local Store this weekend and a genius told me a number of customers had come in with MBP 7,200rpm problems. He was clear that this was not official, just his observation, and recommended the 5,400 drive plus a fast FW800 external. (which I'll have anyway to use as a video scratch drive)

Thoughts? Thanks.

Firstly, I wouldn't trust anything an apple "genius" tells you. A lot of the time they just want a sale.

Secondly, if you have any troubles, take it back until Apple get their act together and give you a decent machine.

If you ever decide you want the 7200 drive, unless you want to try installing it yourself then you'll have to buy a whole new machine. I asked the sales rep and he told me Apple didn't add new HD's to their machines after the original sale. Then again who knows if that's true, it was an Apple "genius".

- Jamie

 

[Private Sector]

yea why would you want to listen to someone who services computers all day, and who's job ISN'T to make sales? seriously...

i'm pretty sure apple employees don't work on commission at all. this makes the idea of them trying to screw you on a sale sound a bit preposperous. i actually had an apple employee tell me NOT to get a HDD from them because i could go to compUSA and get it significantly cheaper.

 

[dmaxdmax]

Sorry if I wasn't clear. My purchase will be in a few weeks and the genius (with or without quotes) knew I'd be doing it on-line so he had no ulterior motive based on a sale. (AFAIK he wouldn't get anything but the store would so if he's buddies w/the manager he might prefer an in-store sale. That said, he wasn't in sales-mode)

Is there any reason to think the 7,200 would have a higher fail-rate?

************
2 bonus points:

I've been helped on a few occasions by techs at the genius bar and I'm not a noob. Please don't trash them as a group.

I have no intention of buying a "decent" machine. I'm quite certain I'll be getting an amazing machine.

 

[Gandhi]

Is there any reason to think the 7,200 would have a higher fail-rate?

No.

Buy AppleCare if you are that worried.

 

[dmaxdmax]

No.

Buy AppleCare if you are that worried.

Why didn't I think of that. (no - this isn't a snide comment - it's a head-slap Duh comment)