7,200 RPM 200GB or 5,400 RPM 250GB for My MacBook?

[Jack Flash]

Which do you think if both were priced the same?

I'm torn between the Hitachi 7K200 and the Western Digital WD2500BEVS

This will be going into my 2.0 GHz Core 2 Duo MacBook.

Side question: Can I install Leopard on my freshly formatted harddrive or do I need to install Tiger first, then upgrade?

 

[Sayewhat]

I just went through the same thing on my Macbook. I decided on the 250gb WD Scorpio. Pretty easy to do. I also put in 2gb of RAM also while I was at it.

When you boot it up from the DVD, once you go get past the language menu, the menu bar pulls up and do to the utilities. Get into the disk utility and format/erase the new hard drive. Then continue on with the install. Not very hard at all.

 

[chrisbeebops]

I'd go with the 7200RPM drive, unless you really need the extra 50GB of internal storage. You will get a faster performing hard drive, and you can always use an external hard drive for storing your extra files.

 

[blueflame]

I did the same

i found it really only makes a difference in movie making. so i chose the scorpio as well. great drive, easy install
A

I just went through the same thing on my Macbook. I decided on the 250gb WD Scorpio. Pretty easy to do. I also put in 2gb of RAM also while I was at it.

When you boot it up from the DVD, once you go get past the language menu, the menu bar pulls up and do to the utilities. Get into the disk utility and format/erase the new hard drive. Then continue on with the install. Not very hard at all.

 

[Sayewhat]

There is a little higher price difference to get the 7600 speed 200gb. The choice is still up to you. If you are satisfied with the speed of your current drive, which is 5600, then it might just be the price difference for your decision.

 

[haoqfu]

I'd go with the 7200RPM drive, unless you really need the extra 50GB of internal storage. You will get a faster performing hard drive, and you can always use an external hard drive for storing your extra files.

Do you find a 7200rpm drive drain the battery faster than a 5400rpm drive? I was thinking of going w/ a 7200 rpm too, but not sure about the power consumption.

 

[Cole Slaw]

Which do you think if both were priced the same?

I'm torn between the Hitachi 7K200 and the Western Digital WD2500BEVS

This will be going into my 2.0 GHz Core 2 Duo MacBook.

Side question: Can I install Leopard on my freshly formatted harddrive or do I need to install Tiger first, then upgrade?

How about Western Digital's new 320 gig 5400 rpm drive?

 

[r88my]

I went for the 250GB WD Scorpio. Installation was pretty straight forward and leopard works fine with a clean install. Guess it depends on how much extra space you need. Bear in mind actual capacity is only 235GB, not 250GB.

 

[joegomolski]

7,200 RPM 200GB or 5,400 RPM 250GB for My MacBook?

"I'm torn between the Hitachi 7K200 and the Western Digital WD2500BEVS"

I have been buying Hitachi hard disks for a long time. I am taken by their reliability, and problem free operation.

And I prefer the faster speed of the Hitachi. Nothing like maxing the RAM, and hard disk speed.

Everybody has a different opinion, I like Hitachi drives.

 

[gr8tfly]

Do you find a 7200rpm drive drain the battery faster than a 5400rpm drive? I was thinking of going w/ a 7200 rpm too, but not sure about the power consumption.

Some of the reviews I've read say it's only a matter of a few minutes less. I haven't run any tests of my own. I just installed the 7k200 Hitachi last week in my MBP 17". The speed increase is noticeable.

 

[RaceTripper]

WD just announced their 5400 RPM 320 GB Scorpio, for $200. I already have a Hitachi 7200 RPM 200 GB drive and I'm tempted by the WD.

BTW: I noticed virtually no difference in battery performance after installing my Hitachi. I had the OEM 5400 RPM 160 GB drive before that.

 

[Sayewhat]

WD just announced their 5400 RPM 320 GB Scorpio, for $200. I already have a Hitachi 7200 RPM 200 GB drive and I'm tempted by the WD.

Dang. I just bought the 250gb for $170 Monday. I'm sure the price will now drop. Wd only has a $10 difference on their site for now.

 

[Bearxor]

I assume you're looking at the BB deal where the 200GB 5400 Hitachi drives are being packaged with 7200rpm drives for $142 and the 250GB WD for $160.

I went through the same decision last week.
The 7200rpm drive is a decent choice but I don't think the speed difference would make a significant impact. I called up two friends while standing at BB and asked them. They both said the 250gb WD. I picked it up and have been happy since.

 

[nuclearwinter]

I bought the Hitachi 200GB drive. It is REALLY fast. In fact, its actually faster than the original 100Gb 7.2K stock drive I had in it. The 16MB cache makes it on par with desktop drives in my opinion. Best thing I ever did to my MBP.