M2 13-Inch MacBook Pro With 256GB SSD Appears Slower Than Equivalent M1 in Real-World Speed Tests

[MacRumors]

Benchmark testing has indicated that the 256GB variant of the 13-inch MacBook Pro with M2 chip offers slower SSD performance than its M1 equivalent, and now real-world stress testing by YouTuber Max Yuryev of Max Tech suggests that the 256GB SSD in the 13-inch MacBook Pro is also underperforming in day-to day-usage.

The M2 MacBook Pro with 256GB SSD and 8GB RAM was slower than the M1 MacBook Pro with 256GB SSD and 8GB RAM across multiple usage tests involving Photoshop, Lightroom, Final Cut Pro, multitasking, and file transfers. In a multitasking RAM test, the M1 consistently loads content faster with multiple apps open, and in a 50 image export test in Lightroom with apps open, the M1 was again quicker. It was able to export 50 images in 3 minutes and 36 seconds, while the M2 took 4 minutes and 12 seconds.

In these tests, the built-in 8GB unified memory of the MacBook Pro is being used by various processes, with the machine using the SSD for virtual memory. The virtual memory swapping results in slower system performance overall.

These results were consistent across all of the performance stress tests done by Max Tech, and benchmark tests conducted by Max Tech on Saturday demonstrated the same discrepancy. The M2 MacBook Pro's read speeds appear to be around 50 percent slower, while the write speeds appear to be around 30 percent slower.

• 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

Max Tech attributes this performance difference to Apple's choice of NAND flash storage. In the M2 MacBook Pro, there is a single 256GB NAND flash storage chip, while the M1 MacBook Pro has two NAND chips that are likely 128GB each. Multiple NAND chips allow for faster speeds in parallel, which could account for the M2's seemingly disappointing performance.

Slower SSD performance appears to be limited to the 256GB version of the 13-inch MacBook Pro, as higher capacity machines have not demonstrated the same issue. Potential MacBook Pro buyers should be aware of this performance problem as it could impact purchase choice.

It is not clear why Apple opted for a different NAND chip setup in the M2 MacBook Pro, and further testing is required to determine just what is going on. Apple has not responded to our requests for comment as of yet, but we will update this article if we hear back.

Article Link: M2 13-Inch MacBook Pro With 256GB SSD Appears Slower Than Equivalent M1 in Real-World Speed Tests

 

[thadoggfather]

My truth is that quite frankly Im hurt, and I would accept no less than a nice DM from someone there at Apple Retail for a 50% off voucher for the midnight M2 Air to lessen the imminent blow with that one too. Please and thank you.

 

[nvmls]

Gotta squeeze that penny for stockholders, nothing to see here.

PS: Kidding, slower means more "privacy".

 

[thadoggfather]

Gotta squeeze that penny for stockholders, nothing to see here.

PS: Kidding, slower means more "privacy".

My M1 Air is now a SSD-speed demon lioness. I want to get some hot wheel decals for the old bugger.

 

[mikethemartian]

How much impact does the virtual memory swapping have on the life of the SSD?

 

[Think|Different]

Wow, r/conspiracy-dwellers about to peak from around the corner in 3-2-1...

 

[tdar]

I’m gonna guess that Apple didn’t mess up, they got the SSD module that they could.

 

[Juicy Box]

It is not clear why Apple opted for a different NAND chip setup in the M2 MacBook Pro

My guess is that it saves Apple $$$.

 

[citysnaps]

And everyone here complaining about it will have to cancel their 256GB MBP orders; as that's the right amount of storage for them.

 

[Doug183]

I bet the issue is they didn’t Raid0 the SSD, using 2x 128GB drives and instead opted for 1x256 SSD. That’s why the 512 works fine (it’s 2x256 in Raid0) setup. Kind of messy M2 roll out.

 

[minik]

Not sure why there's another post about this. In the past, I remember seeing smaller capacity of SSD has a lower speed rating than larger capacity, SanDisk and Samsung. In this case, I don't really see this as a dealbreaker or issue.

 

[Macative]

Looks like something that will be fixed in an update. Bet on it.

 

[CWallace]

Since it has been confirmed that the 512GB models have two 256GB SSD chips and are delivering the expected high performance, the two most-likely options are:

1. Apple cannot get 128GB SSDs in sufficient quantity so they are using one 256GB SSD because they can get supply of those (you can see the empty second SSD location on the systemboard pictures);
2. Apple can get 128GB SSDs, but their purchase volume on 256GB SSDs means they are similar in price or cheaper than 2x128GB so they are using a single 256GB SSD to save money.

 

[jz0309]

When photoshop, Lightroom, Final Cut Pro are my day to day tools - why do I have a 256GB drive and 8GB RAM? Is that the real world???

 

[Juicy Box]

Not sure why there's another post about this. In the past, I remember seeing smaller capacity of SSD has a lower speed rating than larger capacity, SanDisk and Samsung. In this case, I don't really see this as a dealbreaker or issue.

I think the issue is that the M1 MBP at the same storage size is double the performance of the M2 MBP.

People typically expect an improvement or at least the same performance as the predecessor, not half the performance.

 

[Macative]

Since it has been confirmed that the 512GB models have two 256GB SSD chips and are delivering the expected high performance, the two most-likely options are:

1. Apple cannot get 128GB SSDs in sufficient quantity so they are using one 256GB SSD because they can get supply of those (you can see the empty second SSD location on the systemboard pictures);
2. Apple can get 128GB SSDs, but their purchase volume on 256GB SSDs means they are similar in price or cheaper than 2x128GB so they are using a single 256GB SSD to save money.

Whether or not this actually contributes to the speed difference is just a theory at this point, lacking any other information. Wait and see if Apple has any software update to address it. Can't evaluate it at all until you know the software isn't getting in the way.

 

[now i see it]

It’s not like this big speed difference is unknown to them. They designed the damn thing.

 

[nikhsub1]

When photoshop, Lightroom, Final Cut Pro are my day to day tools - why do I have a 256GB drive and 8GB RAM? Is that the real world???

That is not the point at all. You are essentially victim blaming.

 

[haydn!]

Could this just not be a bug in MacOS specific to the new hardware? Wouldn't the first time new Macs have come out with dodgy performance, which was later fixed in an OS patch.

 

[rafark]

This doesn’t make sense. Wtf was Apple thinking?

 

[Pirate!]

How much impact does the virtual memory swapping have on the life of the SSD?

I found this to be informative:

The Apple M1 SSD SwapGate is a Massive Overreaction

I am not here to defend Apple. God knows, they have not given me anything I have not paid for (other than Apple TV+), I haven’t a single…

medium.com

 

[nikhsub1]

Could this just not be a bug in MacOS specific to the new hardware? Wouldn't the first time new Macs have come out with dodgy performance, which was later fixed in an OS patch.

Maybe but the 512GB and up M2s don't apparently exhibit this slow SSD issue.

 

[dmylrea]

I’m gonna guess that Apple didn’t mess up, they got the SSD module that they could.

Always the glass-half-full kind of person, aren't you? And you're probably also going to guess that no one at Apple QA department ran any tests to notice this otherwise they FOR SURE would not have released it?

 

[Svetlin]

I am shocked that there are people defending Apple in this situation, especially since the m2 macbook pro is literally 250 dollars more expensive than the m1 was outside in the US

 

[Carlson-online]

Are you sure this hasn’t been going on for a while in recently made m1 models?

The YouTubers tend to get some of the first run models , they might have changed to this config at some point this year due to component shortages