New 7200RPM drive for Macbook Pro?

[PowerMike G5]

Hi guys,

Do you think it is worth it to upgrade my stock 100GB 5400RPM drive in my Macbook Pro 15" to a Seagate 100GB 7200RPM drive? I am so ready to purchase the drive as I am trying to max out the speed of the machine (I have the 2.16 Core Duo with 2GB RAM). I just don't know if there will be a definitive speed increase to justify the cost plus labor to swap the drives. I do use my laptop pretty heavily (Lot's of Final Cut Pro editing and DVD authoring and web-page creation) for work, so I need all the speed I can get. But is this upgrade worth it ... will I see relative gains for the $180 for the new drive?

Thanks,

Mike

 

[WildCowboy]

If it were me who was considering it, I'd say it wouldn't be worth the cost and effort.

But if you're working with rather large files (and it sounds like you are), you might see a fairly decent speed boost that could make it worth it in your eyes.

 

[watchmainspring]

I like it.

 

[Eniregnat]

Before you go an mod you MBP, do you have external FW drives. Best practice is system, apps, and system scratch on your start up drive. Then a drive for media clips and another for saving projects (progressive saving will take space) and final renders. At the very least you will want a drive a clone of your primary system (because when you have to get a project done, you computer will crash at the very most inopportune time).

I moved from a stock 4200 to a 5400 drive with a larger buffer on my PB. There was a noticeable increase in speed, as well as battery life. My 5400 drive was noticeable faster and more power efficient. I wouldn't void the warranty though if your tight on cash.

I'd rather put the money aside for a good rig rental on a long weekend.

This is a good article about 5400 v.s. 7200, and FW400, V.S. FW800. You will see a speed increase. But is it worth the cost ?

 

[PowerMike G5]

Thanks for the advice. Yes, I am torn over what to do ... I do believe I will see a speed boost, but is it worth the money and voiding my warranty???

I can't really lug around external drives ...

 

[Eniregnat]

Your asking you editing computer to do a lot with one drive.

• 
  System
  Applications, library, and support structures.
  System scratch
  Clip storage and spooling
  Clip rendering/application scratch
  Final renders and edits
  Periodic automated project saves

Likely you are already going to carrying around a camera, fire wire cable, power dongle for camera (perhaps external battery charger for lighting), external microphone(s), there is probably room for one tiny little FW400 drive.

You will speed things up more by having at least one external drive, at least for video and audio editing/rendering.

If your just screwing around with video, then it won't matter. If your headed to Borneo or doing field work or editing while in transit, then I can understand the need for minimalism. In the latter case, I would go for the upgrade, if you really can afford to loose your warranty.