Text Size
Apple update addresses 3.0Gbps SATA on MacBook Pros
updated 09:25 pm EDT, Mon June 22, 2009
MacBook Pro SATA update
Apple on Monday released an EFI firmware update for the MacBook Pro models launched earlier this month. The update brings back support for the 3Gbps SATA specification, although the company warns that it has not offered or qualified drives running at transfer rates higher than 1.5Gbps. Earlier reports indicated the new systems had switched from 3Gbps specifications down to a 1.5Gbps limit.
A separate EFI firmware update for iMacs addresses a stability issue for systems utilizing ATI Radeon HD 4850 graphics components.Both updates are available from the Apple Support page. The MacBook Pro download weighs 3.35MB, while the iMac firmware is contained in a 1.7MB package.
wow..
06/22, 11:24pm reply
Not surprised that they came out w/ a firmware update, but surprised at how many ppl got so bent about this.
Probably less than 2% of people who buy a MBP will need anything that comes close to topping 1.5Gbps, certainly less than those who use ExpressCards.
JuanGuapo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2008
SATA2
06/23, 12:06am reply
SATA2 does offer increased performance (you can find benchmarks on the internets), and it also supports NCQ which is known to also improve performance in some instances.
afaby
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2005
Re: wow
06/23, 08:35am reply
And yet someone must have determined that it wasn't SATA 3.0, which means someone was able to it.
And I think the concern/complaint was more based on the "Wait! I'm spending $1700 on a NEW laptop, and I'm getting OLD technology?"
That's like saying "Well, we put in there Core Duo chips, because only 2% of the people were maxing out that CPU threshhold..."
testudo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
Apple Don't sell 3.0Gbps!
06/23, 09:51am reply
I need to see more benchmarks I been through Xbench. I don't think Apple sells any HDD that are over 1.5Gbps or 192MBps. The 128GB SSD in the 2.13GHz MacBook Air it states that it is a 3Gbps SATA but the SSD on Samsung's site says its a 1.5Gbps SATA Interface. The results from the benchmarks it looks like SATA 1.5Gbps. I see what Apple is doing by using 1.5Gbps HDDs & SSD on a 3Gbps Interface will drop it down to 1.5Gbps therefore won't consume more power for nothing. The ONLY way it seems is to buy a 3rd Party HDD or SSD. Apple so far to me seem to be 1.5Gbps but I guess everybody gripe that they wanted the option if they do want to go 3Gbps SATA II HDD or SSD.
__________________
LEStudios
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2008