7200 rpm HDD in MBP

[setanta5]

First time post on MR but been following for a while, especially the new MBP forums.

Currently saving for a MBP and when i have the cash i have decided i will buy whatever one is available at the time, be it Yonah or Merom.

My question is, would you recommend speccing a 7200 Rpm HDD. Or would i be better going for 120Gig drive instead.

I'm concerned about extra noise and battery consumption of 7200 drive. has anyone any thoughts/experience of this?

 

[WildCowboy]

Most studies have shown that 7200 rpm drives don't use any more energy than 5400 rpm drives. The extra spindle speed is offset by offering quicker access to information, and thus less spin time.

My personal preference is for size over speed, so I would be more apt to go for the bigger, slightly slower drive. But others have the opposite opinion...it's really personal preference.

 

[br0adband]

If you're going for broke, get the Hitachi 160GB 5400 rpm drive. It's about $70 higher in cost than the 120GB models, but it's the first laptop drive to offer perpendicular recording - meaning it's faster.

HardMac did some testing recently and the 160GB Hitachi outperformed a 7200 rpm 100GB drive. You can find the results of that drive swap and informal test here.

Hope this helps...
bb

 

[WildCowboy]

If you're going for broke, get the Hitachi 160GB 5400 rpm drive. It's about $70 higher in cost than the 120GB models, but it's the first laptop drive to offer perpendicular recording - meaning it's faster.

Keep in mind that it appears he is configuring a BTO MBP, so the Hitachi drive isn't an option. He'd have to have it done aftermarket by a certified technician and then he'd after the extra stock drive that he'd have to reuse or get rid of.

Sure, it's doable and it's a great drive from everything I've seen, but it might be more than the OP wants to take on.

 

[merc669]

You buy a USB/Firewire External Disk Enclosure supporting the drive and you reuse the stock drive in that. Makes a great place to store your MP3 or Pictures! Here is an example;

http://www.addonics.com/products/enclosures/ae5idecsu2f.asp

I am looking at the same thing when I upgrade my MBP the next go around!

Bill....

 

[PowerMike G5]

Depends on what you do ... I have a 7200RPM 100GB HD in my Macbook Pro and I do notice a nice speed increase over the 5400RPM I had in my other older notebook ...

I do a lot of video editing, encoding/transcoding so the speed is appreciated since I work with large file sizes.

 

[MikeyWord]

If you're going for broke, get the Hitachi 160GB 5400 rpm drive. It's about $70 higher in cost than the 120GB models, but it's the first laptop drive to offer perpendicular recording - meaning it's faster.

HardMac did some testing recently and the 160GB Hitachi outperformed a 7200 rpm 100GB drive. You can find the results of that drive swap and informal test here.

Hope this helps...
bb

Nice Tip! I'll drop one in my new MB instead of a 7200rpm 100gb