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4200 RPM vs 5400 RPM Laptop HDD speed *UPDATE*

P

PowerMacG5

Diamond Member
I finally decided that I want to get an Apple Powerbook 15 inch Superdrive over a PC laptop. Does anyone know if the 5400 RPM HDD is worth the upgrade price to the 4200 RPM HDD? I don't plan on doing any video editting. Thanks in advance.

UPDATE: See my post below
 
I was looking at PC vs Mac in general for a notebook, and came to the conclusion that the Mac is more worth the money for what it can do. I can get a 15 inch powerbook for $2299 with an educational discount, then if I load it the way I want (1 Gig RAM) it goes to $2659. If I add the extra battery and AppleCare, it goes to $3014. if I add the 5400 RPM HDD with all that it goes to $3126.
 
Originally posted by: GnomeCop
the 5400 is a NOTICABLE increase over the 4200, you will definitely be glad you go it.
Click to expand...

It's only noticeable when you do something HDD intensive (RAR takes forever compared to my SCSI setup).

Modern laptop 4200rpm drives are way faster than the old 4200 rpm desktop drives that people think about. I did a impromptu SiSoft Sandra bench on my 4200 rpm Hitachi Travelstar, and it gets faster than the reference 5400 rpm drive. For normal work, I doubt you'll notice a difference, as long as you keep your system defragged and clean.

Yea the 5400rpm will be better across the board, but if its worth upgrading is your call. As for me, I'm glad I didnt fork over the extra money for the HDD (which would've been ~$80 upgrade from Dell).
 
Originally posted by: dexvx
Originally posted by: GnomeCop
the 5400 is a NOTICABLE increase over the 4200, you will definitely be glad you go it.
Click to expand...

It's only noticeable when you do something HDD intensive (RAR takes forever compared to my SCSI setup).

Modern laptop 4200rpm drives are way faster than the old 4200 rpm desktop drives that people think about. I did a impromptu SiSoft Sandra bench on my 4200 rpm Hitachi Travelstar, and it gets faster than the reference 5400 rpm drive. For normal work, I doubt you'll notice a difference, as long as you keep your system defragged and clean.

Yea the 5400rpm will be better across the board, but if its worth upgrading is your call. As for me, I'm glad I didnt fork over the extra money for the HDD (which would've been ~$80 upgrade from Dell).
Click to expand...

You are right, the newer 4200 are not the old 4200s..... but the same applies to the 5400s. You surely will notice the difference, the systems feels more responsive (lower seek times) and boots faster.
 
Update: I decided to go with the 5400 RPM drive, and also get the 17 inch powerbook because the difference between the 15 and 17 was 200 dollars (I got a nice discount on either one). Thanks for all the help.
 
Originally posted by: KraziKid
Update: I decided to go with the 5400 RPM drive, and also get the 17 inch powerbook because the difference between the 15 and 17 was 200 dollars (I got a nice discount on either one). Thanks for all the help.
Click to expand...

Good choice!
 
Originally posted by: alexruiz
Originally posted by: KraziKid
Update: I decided to go with the 5400 RPM drive, and also get the 17 inch powerbook because the difference between the 15 and 17 was 200 dollars (I got a nice discount on either one). Thanks for all the help.
Click to expand...

Good choice!
Click to expand...

Thanks. I should get the laptop somewhere around Wednesday or Thursday. I'll let you know how it turns out.
 
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