The base model of Apple’s new 13-inch MacBook Pro with M2 chip features significantly slower SSD speeds than its predecessor, according to new benchmarks shared by YouTubers that include Max Tech and Created Tech. The former found that the 256 GB SSD in the new M2 model is only capable of read/write speeds of 1,446/1,463 MB/s, an obvious step back from the SSD that the M1 version employed, which features read/write speeds of 2,900/2,215 MB/s. One of the reasons for this seems to relate to a reduced number of NAND flash storage chips; Yuryev disassembled his new 13-inch MacBook Pro and discovered only a single chip, one less than what can be found in the older model. Additional tests from zollotech have suggested that the base 13-inch MacBook Pro with M2 chip is the only model with a slower SSD (512 GB, 1 TB and 2 TB options are also available in Apple’s configurator).
- 13-inch MacBook Pro (M1/256GB) Read Speed: 2,900
- 13-inch MacBook Pro (M2/256GB) Read Speed: 1,446
- 13-inch MacBook Pro (M1/256GB) Write Speed: 2,215
- 13-inch MacBook Pro (M2/256GB) Write Speed: 1,463
It’s unclear why the new base model 13-inch MacBook Pro is only equipped with a single NAND chip, but costs and/or supply constraints are two possible factors.
Slower SSD speeds can impact common tasks such as transferring files to an external drive, and overall performance can also take a slight hit since Macs temporarily use SSD space as virtual memory when physical RAM is fully used. If you are considering the new 13-inch MacBook Pro and faster SSD speeds are important to you, we recommend ordering a model with at least 512GB of storage (or better yet, wait for the new MacBook Air in July).
Sources: Max Tech, Created Tech, zollotech (via MacRumors)