apple ssd performance
Best SSD Performance Around $100
03/02/10 20:30 Filed in: Cheap SSD
In a somewhat suprising move after the success of it's 80GB and 160GB XM-25 solid-state drives - Intel released a smaller capacity version to fill a gap at the low end. The Intel 40 GB X25V Value SATA II Solid State Drive
may be a fine MacBook or Mac mini upgrade for those with modest needs. Unlike competitors with SSDs in the 30-32GB or 60-64GB range, Intel's SSD architecture started with an 80 Gigabyte drive, then 160, now down to 40 GB to shore up the low end. This is also a G2 - Second Generation drive with improved firmware - all in all an affordable choice for those who aren't data pigs with videos and tons of music clogging up thier hard drives. With it's SATA II interface, it's compatible with all Serial-ATA based Mac computers - whether with older SATA I - or more recent SATA II controller chips.SSD's For Macs : ATA vs SATA I vs SATA II Support
04/18/09 00:56 Filed in: Sata SSD drives
Still digging for a clear-cut answer to this: Exactly which Apple computers
-10480544" width="1" height="1" border="0"/> support built-in SATA II speeds vs SATA I ? This issue is starting to matter as solid-state flash SSD's maximum peak read speeds and to a lesser degree - the slightly slower write speeds are beginning to encroach on the maximum bandwidth of the current SATA II spec. Fortunately, the backward compatibility of the Serial ATA specs insures your SSD will simply run at the fastest clip your motherboard chipset allows regardless.
Download MACTRACKER - A great reference of Apple system specs to get specific SATA bus speed info for specific models. Apple started using SATA II in Late 2007 only on very select Macs. As of this writing, only the recently revised 2009 'Classic' white MacBook still uses SATA I - and only the newest 5-USB-Port Mac Mini of 2009 finally added SATA II support. MacTracker will also point out the fine distinctions of when and exactly which models made the switch from ATA drive interfaces to SATA I.
It's important to note that the quoted transfer rates of SSD's in Press Releases, Product Listings, or even on this site are PEAK numbers only on SEQUENTIAL types of read/writes - often more theoretical than real world throughput the average user will experience. The RANDOM read/write numbers are markedly lower - especially random writes. Oh but what do you care? Unless you absolutely went out of your way to research and upgrade your existing mechanical hard drive to top of the line models - ANY current-generation SSD is going to feel faster than what your Mac came with.
Be aware, often benchmarking articles and SSD reviews are deceiving: the Tweak Geeks often pit the latest top of the line SSD they're testing against the absolutely fastest platter drives known to man such as Samsung's F1, WD's Velociraptor, or Seagate's Barracuda ultra-high RPM drives that the majority of us do NOT have installed in our computers. That doesn't really show the difference an SSD can make over the stock, often Middle-Of-The-Road performing drive Apple included in your Macintosh.
Download MACTRACKER - A great reference of Apple system specs to get specific SATA bus speed info for specific models. Apple started using SATA II in Late 2007 only on very select Macs. As of this writing, only the recently revised 2009 'Classic' white MacBook still uses SATA I - and only the newest 5-USB-Port Mac Mini of 2009 finally added SATA II support. MacTracker will also point out the fine distinctions of when and exactly which models made the switch from ATA drive interfaces to SATA I.
It's important to note that the quoted transfer rates of SSD's in Press Releases, Product Listings, or even on this site are PEAK numbers only on SEQUENTIAL types of read/writes - often more theoretical than real world throughput the average user will experience. The RANDOM read/write numbers are markedly lower - especially random writes. Oh but what do you care? Unless you absolutely went out of your way to research and upgrade your existing mechanical hard drive to top of the line models - ANY current-generation SSD is going to feel faster than what your Mac came with.
Be aware, often benchmarking articles and SSD reviews are deceiving: the Tweak Geeks often pit the latest top of the line SSD they're testing against the absolutely fastest platter drives known to man such as Samsung's F1, WD's Velociraptor, or Seagate's Barracuda ultra-high RPM drives that the majority of us do NOT have installed in our computers. That doesn't really show the difference an SSD can make over the stock, often Middle-Of-The-Road performing drive Apple included in your Macintosh.
| SATA 1.5 Gbit/s | SATA 3 Gbit/s | |
| Frequency | 1.5 GHz | 3 GHz |
| Bits/clock | 1 | 1 |
| 8b/10b encoding | 80% | 80% |
| bits/Byte | 8 | 8 |
| Real speed | 150 MB/s | 300 MB/s |
