We have conducted a simple experiment at Apple Store today:
Experiment
1. launch iTunes and iPhoto apps at Macbook Pro latest model (with new i5 / i7 processors, Thunderbolt etc
2. do the same at Macbook Air with worse processor (the model hasn’t been updated with latest Intel processors and Thunderbolt yet) but with SSD hard drive (those who don’t know about SSD, well imagine having a USB stick instead of hard drive)
Results
Where for Macbook Pro it takes about 6-7 sec to launch an app, Air launches it in 3 seconds, 2x times faster despite MacBook Pro has a better CPU.
Concusion
It is worthwhile to use SSD, fast files access gives a real performance boost when starting the system or launching apps and obviously when doing all I/O operations.
The prices for SSD are still high, according to Apple UK, when buying a new MacBook Pro, you may choose SSD instead of standard HD, and the prices would be the following:
128 Gb = 240 GBP (standard HD +200) = $380
512 Gb = 1040 GBP (standard HD +1000) = $1660
The trick is that you don’t have to buy SSD from Apple and you can find it cheaper elsewhere.
For example, a quick Google search finds the following:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160569907280&clk_rvr_id=243588984540&item=160569907280
APPLE TOSHIBA 512GB SSD for MACBOOK Pro imac and PC
The cost is 518 GBP = $827, the difference to Apple’s price is $833!
So – SSD is a great thing and must be used where possible. However it is economically justified to purchase SSD elsewhere and replace standard Apple’s drive with it.
Here is a video of how to replace standard HD with an SSD drive in your MacBook Pro:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jd3RS-GGsCI
