5400 rpm but faster speeds?

[Roy G Biv]

I'm wondering why they found much faster speeds with the hard drive if they're still 5400 rpm. I was worried coming from 7200 rpm would make a Mini feel slow, but this is good. Is it related to improved caching?

http://www.macworld.com/article/201...i-offers-an-attractive-bang-for-the-buck.html

 

[GGJstudios]

I'm wondering why they found much faster speeds with the hard drive if they're still 5400 rpm. I was worried coming from 7200 rpm would make a Mini feel slow, but this is good. Is it related to improved caching?

There is more to drive performance than rotation speed. Many 5400 rpm drives are faster than many 7200 rpm drives, due to higher density.

 

[recursivetom]

I just ran a speed test on my 2012 Mac Mini 5400RPM and I'm getting around 105-110MB/s transfer speeds which is around the same as the 7200RPM drive in my Macbook.

 

[tshrimp]

I'm wondering why they found much faster speeds with the hard drive if they're still 5400 rpm. I was worried coming from 7200 rpm would make a Mini feel slow, but this is good. Is it related to improved caching?

http://www.macworld.com/article/201...i-offers-an-attractive-bang-for-the-buck.html

If you can do it, I would put in an SSD. I did this on my Mid 2011 mini, and it was a different beast when I was done.

 

[Kaloman]

Apple should have used faster 7200 hdd instead of a pokier 5400.

 

[paulrbeers]

Apple should have used faster 7200 hdd instead of a pokier 5400.

Seriously, you really need to understand as previously stated that rpm's mean nothing.... Here's a great article to educate yourself with.

http://hothardware.com/Reviews/1TB-WD-Scorpio-Blue-25-HD-QuickTake/

 

[Kaloman]

So they can get a 5400 hdd drive to be faster at 1 TB, but they can't get a 7200 hdd to be faster?

 

[CausticPuppy]

So they can get a 5400 hdd drive to be faster at 1 TB, but they can't get a 7200 hdd to be faster?

A 2.5" 5400rpm 1TB drive can be had for less than $100.

A 2.5" 7200rpm 1TB can be anywhere from $229-$300.

There may be a negligible performance increase, but not enough to justify the cost difference, especially when you can do a fusion drive instead.

Also, increased heat for the 7200rpm models.

 

[sean barry]

I guess I'm missing something? I did not see in that review that the new 5400 HD was faster than the old 7200 HD? I thought the speed comparisons were about processors?

 

[Kaloman]

I guess I'm missing something? I did not see in that review that the new 5400 HD was faster than the old 7200 HD? I thought the speed comparisons were about processors?

What brand of HDD is Mac using i the new Mini?

 

[dogmusic]

What brand of HDD is Mac using i the new Mini?

I think it's Hitachi.

 

[Roy G Biv]

Yo, can't we all agree? Conflict creates confusion. Respeck.