SSD in apple macbook air m1 256GB.

BobTheFisherman wrote:

thisisujjawal wrote:

No but we have seen that macbook air m2 256GB speeds are drastically slow as compared to macbook air m1 256 because macbook air m2 256 contain single 256 nand chip whereas in macbook air m1 256 contains 2 nand chips(128+128). I am not asking for add/change.

You are jumping way into the weeds. If your computer is slow, there are many possible resons why without jumping to the conclusion that the design of the chips is the reason. Start the troubleshooting process with the most simple things first.

Actually the OP is correct, the newer M2 256GB SSD is using a single NAND chip which does dramatically decrease the performance of the SSD straight from the factory. Having two NAND chips allows them to be interleaved for faster performance. If the performance is that important to a user, then they should avoid the M2 256GB SSD configuration. this article explains it much better:

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2022/06/m2-macbook-pros-256gb-ssd-is-only-about-half-as-fast-as-the-m1-versions/

I agree this unfortunate and not something you would expect from Apple. I think this is something that Apple should clearly mention on the product configuration page. I would be extremely disappointed to find this model has an SSD with half the speed of the other configurations even if the SSD is fast. I do understand the reasoning, but this information should be clearly stated at time of purchase.

BobTheFisherman wrote:

If someone is negatively impacted by this configuration, they have selected the wrong computer for their computing requirements.

So that's obviously why OP asked the question, so that he doesn't select the wrong computer. As for whether the configuration would meaningfully impact someone's usage, HWTech answered it quite well, that there's a dramatic impact on read-write speeds, which sounds like a big deal. How's that going too deep into the weeds?

If you don't know the answer to OP's question (and you clearly don't), the least you could do is explain why you think the chip configuration wouldn't matter to most users.

@BobTheFisherman is entirely correct that the speed difference will not be noticeable for anyone using this laptop for 99% of workloads. Users will only see it when running a benchmark speed diagnostic on the SSD. The Apple SSDs are already blazing fast, so even half of blazing fast is still more than fast enough especially for a 256GB SSD. As the others have mentioned, if this is an issue, then you are using the wrong computer.

I do agree that not clearly noting the difference is morally wrong and can appear as a bait & switch if it is not clearly noted on the product configuration page for this specific model. The only real downside I can see for users that may actually be an issue is the single NAND based SSD may wear out sooner than if dual NAND chips were used (I honestly don't know how much of an issue this is anyway -- again it may be a technicality). Otherwise the speed issue is only a moral issue and an extreme disappointment for users expecting each model performs the same except due to CPU and GPU differences.

The solution for users is to avoid this 256GB model if it is a concern for the user. Go for the 500GB model instead.

You can also provide Apple with product feedback here:

Product Feedback - Apple

thisisujjawal wrote:

No but we have seen that macbook air m2 256GB speeds are drastically slow as compared to macbook air m1 256 because macbook air m2 256 contain single 256 nand chip whereas in macbook air m1 256 contains 2 nand chips(128+128). I am not asking for add/change.

You are jumping way into the weeds. If your computer is slow, there are many possible resons why without jumping to the conclusion that the design of the chips is the reason. Start the troubleshooting process with the most simple things first.

I think you also are deep into the weeds unnecessarily. I doubt whether the subject chip configuration impact affects 99.99% of Mac users. If someone is negatively impacted by this configuration, they have selected the wrong computer for their computing requirements.

Not necessarily, a complete answer will necessarily include other insights gained by experience for which that experience says the question is just not that simple.

It's like asking how to drive 200 MPH on the Autobahn in Germany. Answer = 1000 brake HP. But the answer by a knowledgable person will likely include cautions and questions as to all sorts of things because it just makes sense to do so.

People answer based on their experience and their intuition. Let's hope the intuition part is never ignored..

orbitmap wrote:

BobTheFisherman wrote:

If someone is negatively impacted by this configuration, they have selected the wrong computer for their computing requirements.

So that's obviously why OP asked the question, so that he doesn't select the wrong computer. As for whether the configuration would meaningfully impact someone's usage, HWTech answered it quite well, that there's a dramatic impact on read-write speeds, which sounds like a big deal. How's that going too deep into the weeds?

If you don't know the answer to OP's question (and you clearly don't), the least you could do is explain why you think the chip configuration wouldn't matter to most users.

A nano second or millisecond here or there does not matter when users are typing, reading, loading, deleting, creating, sending, receiving, viewing email/documents, etc. on a Mac computer. If the user is doing a lot of computational work, such as continuously computing the position of a target galaxies away, they have chosen the wrong computer. I still do not think 99.99% of Mac users are affected by the chip configuration mentioned in this thread.

If the original poster is being affected by speed issues, it is likely he has has another issue other than chip configuration..

I feel I wrote too harshly, so my apologies. I'd actually been looking for the same info as OP and was wondering whether the M2 Air base-model (with the slower, single-chip config) would be noticeably slower than my current M1 Air.

Specifically, my most intensive usage is music production on Logic Pro, which involves simultaneously reading multiple uncompressed audio files/samples for extended lengths of time, among other things. Read somewhere that with the smaller 8 GB RAM config, a faster SSD can help keep things running more smoothly to some extent. Admittedly a task better suited to the Pro than the Air, but I've been doing okay so far on the M1 Air.

Does it sound like something that would benefit from the performance gains provided by the 2-chip configuration?

orbitmap wrote:

I feel I wrote too harshly, so my apologies. I'd actually been looking for the same info as OP and was wondering whether the M2 Air base-model (with the slower, single-chip config) would be noticeably slower than my current M1 Air.

Specifically, my most intensive usage is music production on Logic Pro, which involves simultaneously reading multiple uncompressed audio files/samples for extended lengths of time, among other things. Read somewhere that with the smaller 8 GB RAM config, a faster SSD can help keep things running more smoothly to some extent. Admittedly a task better suited to the Pro than the Air, but I've been doing okay so far on the M1 Air.

Does it sound like something that would benefit from the performance gains provided by the 2-chip configuration?

Until there are speed tests done on both versions, there is no saying at all as to whether one is faster than the other.

Also, a single chip vs. two chip does not obviate one is faster than the other. It is all a matter of how the hardware was designed. Unless anyone here is an Apple hardware engineer on the M2 MacBook Air project (which they would not be allowed to announce because of NDAs), they are the only ones that know how the device is designed and anything else is mere idle speculation.

I have the same question as well. I guess the argument above is not necessary anymore as you can easily found speed test video on youtube. In fact the speed does make a huge difference between single and 2 NAND.

So I am wondering as well, if i purchase a 256gb m1 macbook air or 256gb iMac, or any 256gb apple products now.. Will it be single nand or 2 nand? Have been google for few hours but the closest result is this discussion post.

If anyone came across any discussion or video or any info that helps, will be greatly appreciate your sharing. Thanks

You may find this an interesting read:

Apple Support Communities Use Agreement - Apple Community

Doesn't matter since you cannot do anything about it as you can't change/add them anyway,

+1

Apple makes model improvements all the time and it's generally safe to say as soon as you get used to your new Mac, a new model has come out. That's the nature of all devices now days.