I just checked my system information and the sata connection is reporting 1.5 Gigabit as the speed. I discovered this when I benchmarked my Vertex 60GB SSD and noticed that the speeds were a lot slower than before (I used to have a 15" umbp). Did apple downgrade the sata connection? This is a huge disappointment and very surprising.
I just spoke with Apple technical support and they said that the controller is 1.5GBits, and it shouldn't bother us because all the HDDs they offer in the Apple Store don't reach that limit, I also asked about the SSDs and they said that their SSDs don't pass that limit.
I'm going to get it with an HDD so it doesn't really bother me.
I don't know if what they said is wright, but it is Apple's opinion on this.
I sure do hope, that that is an Apple employees opinion and not Apples..
Because it sure bothers me. I can't install my SSD because of this. I'm running on the standard 5400RPM drive here - and let me tell you, there's a BIG difference.. Bordering on huge.
Hello all,
Talked to the Swedish division of the Apple Store and they were surprised about the news with the SATA interface. They haven’t received any information whatsoever about this and couldn’t get any additional information since all the computers they had that can be used to verify configurations and such were of the previous version (i.e. the one with the ExpressCard).
Also talked to some guys at a local Apple retailer and he was not aware of this either.
I will buy the new one as soon as I get it confirmed that this 1.5Gbit issue can be fixed with a firmware – if not I will wait until they do the proper thing and add the 3.0Gbit interface again.
I also bought a MBP 13" in Germany. I think it is merely a firmware issue, which will be fixed soon. There is no aperent reason why the engineeres from apple should limit the connection to SATA-I.
Besides the fact that they don't save money (it's the same chipset) the company Apple knows, that if they don't fix this, many users will return their Notebook or won't even buy one in the first place.
This is my first notebook and my first Macintosh. I think it's a great device and really looking good and I hope it isn't spoiled by this ridiculous easy to solve problem.
Please correct me, if I made any grammatical mistakes. (German) 😉
I'm really curious about this case. I've been waiting to trade in my Powerbook (1.67ghz G4) until the PowerPCs were being dropped and this still runs great btw. But anyways, are all of the 15" MBPs affected by this or just the new "cheap" model at $1,699? And I am looking at the $1,999 or $2,299 model in case anyone was wondering because of the upgraded graphics capabilites and faster speeds. Does anyone have any confirmation on this? If not I might stop by an Apple store and see if they have these models in stock and look at the system information to see whether it is all 15" models.
Please...no more questions or complaints about HD's with SATA downgrades.
This only applies to SSD's.
Can ANYONE confirm seeing a NEW 15" with an "Apple installed" SSD and the relevant SATA interface?
For those of you who want to hack their machines, buy a cheap SSD and install it - that is your choice. But for consumers who buy Apple products, that is the real rip off. Configuring the most expensive setup and getting a downgrade on the interface...
I have ordered a 2.8 15" with the 256GB SSD and will not accept it if it has 1.5 SATA !!!!
Those who install SSDs themselves (without paying the "Apple Tax") have every right to be upset too. I have read reports on other sites that even the Apple-supplied SSDs are shipping with 1.5, so the source of the drive doesn't matter.
The macrumours threads are inconclusive and most postings are made by idiots who are concerned about HDs and not SSD's (which are unaffected at SATA speeds).
I have yet to see proof that an "Apple SSD" 15" has been downgraded to SATA.
No screenshots anywhere.
For those who want to install their own SSD's, ***! Why buy a new machine??? Buy the old ones and their net out-of-pocket money is still less and they can keep the express card slot!!!
Paying more for Apple to put in your SSD (or install RAM for that matter) is just foolish--particularly with the latest few models, where hard drive installation is ridiculously easy.
Read what I wrote and don't start flaming. I have no problems with people who want to do their own installations, but they are saving quite a bit of money and have all the options to do and get what they want with a perfectly new machine of 3 months ago. Why should anyone care about their grumblings of buying a VERY new machine which has a downgraded SATA interface when they can get the same machine with SATA II. They save $200 total now because of price cuts? Yes, they get a SD card reader and the new battery....anyway - go post a thread somewhere else if you want to grumble about Apple taxes and what not. Trying to find a new machine, 15" with a 1.5 interface with a pre-installed SSD. If you can't answer the question or help, think twice.
I just bought a brand new 15" and did not order the SSD from Apple, but a separate one from Intel.
It was not to save money - in fact, the price is almost exactly the same and I just get 160GB instead of 256GB.
The reason was for getting a high-performance SSD for a high-performance Macbook Pro (supposedly).
Apple's SSD:s seems to be geared towards high capacity instead of high performance, which is my experience from the Macbook Air - thus I ordered an Intel X-25 instead.
They are almost exactly the same price as Apples (650 USD).
So please stop making the assumption that no one would buy an SSD separately and being concerned about performance - that is in fact the only way to get a high-performance SSD drive into the Macbook Pro - Apple does not sell one.
Thus, the question whether we can access the 270MB/s read speed from these beasts, is a real question.
I'll see what happens on monday when the Macbook Pro is delivered, the SSD is waiting...
The older models are not the same as these. I paid a premium for the faster processor, longer battery life, support for 8GB of RAM, as well as many other minor optimizations that come from a second generation model.
So, when you say I can "get what I want" and "the same machine" with SATA II in an older model, you're incorrect.
Don't presume that what YOU want applies to everyone and don't presume that the only purpose of this thread is to answer YOUR questions. I posted here because it is relevant to others--even if not to you.
