Thunderbolt 2.5" HD (SSD) Enclosure for new iMac?

shenan1982 said:

So I'm upgrading my 27" 2010 to my new 27" 2012 with Fusion. I want to get a Thunderbolt external hard drive enclosure to remove the 512gb SSD from my OLD computer to attach to my new computer.

I'm having a heck of a time finding a thunderbolt enclosure, let alone one that's reasonable cost. I am looking on Amazon and only see one by JBird, and it's $300 just for an enclosure (vs $30 for USB 3)

My understanding is if booting off the drive, Thunderbolt is the way to go. Is this accurate? Suggestions as to an enclosure?

Thanks!

Click to expand...

You may also want to check with OWC (http://www.macsales.com) to see what they have available.

There's a Seagate adapter that's around $100, but it leaves the drive entirely exposed (though I'm not sure if that's an issue, honestly). TB peripherals are still extremely expensive unfortunately.

You don't need TB. Get a USB3 enclosure, it will be more than enough for a single SSD.

Yes , plus depends if you have sata3 or a slower model ssd, if its older probably slower and usb 3 is plenty fast for it

shenan1982 said:

OK, will use one of my USB 3 enclosures for now. Does USB3 run fast enough to support the speeds of SSD?

Click to expand...

LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt/USB enclosure, $199

Comes complete with Thunderbolt cable, USB 3.0 cable, and a free 120GB Micron SSD.

shenan1982 said:

Link?

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http://www.lacie.com/us/products/product.htm?id=10599

Read up on the LaCie drive. You can take it apart and switch ur 512 in for the stock SSD but look for the thunderbolt version

shenan1982 said:

So I'm upgrading my 27" 2010 to my new 27" 2012 with Fusion. I want to get a Thunderbolt external hard drive enclosure to remove the 512gb SSD from my OLD computer to attach to my new computer.

I'm having a heck of a time finding a thunderbolt enclosure, let alone one that's reasonable cost. I am looking on Amazon and only see one by JBird, and it's $300 just for an enclosure (vs $30 for USB 3)

My understanding is if booting off the drive, Thunderbolt is the way to go. Is this accurate? Suggestions as to an enclosure?

Thanks!

Click to expand...

There's a ton of information in this thread, Black Magic Disk Test Thunderbolt Adapter comparisons... including some real-world testing and informed opinion, if that's what you're after.
Good Luck,
Les

shenan1982 said:

It's only 3 months old, either way, good to know USB 3 will suffice. Thanks!

Click to expand...

It doesn't matter. 3Gb/s SATA ssds are still sold today. They were sold 3 months ago as well. They currently coexist with the 6G variants.

Kinda apple to oranges compare,but...

i boot my 2006 2.0ghz imac (snowleopard) off external usb 3 enclosure with a 60 gig ocz agility3 ..now i just use mainly for web,itunes,light photo editing (seashore),but it zips along real fast.

ncix 2.5" usb3 enclosures

my cheapo one $17...but get job done

Arman said:

Read up on the LaCie drive. You can take it apart and switch ur 512 in for the stock SSD but look for the thunderbolt version

Click to expand...

He needs one with a external power supply if he's gonna use a 512gb since the drives power requirements won't support lacie or buffalo with drives bigger than 256gb, his best bet is the go flex desktop version

The LaCie is easy to take apart; the Buffalo is difficult due to a glued case design.

In either case, you'll be limited to max size of 256GB, unless you find a low power larger SSD. Pay close attention to the max power consumed for the mechanism.

shenan1982 said:

Well with this knowledge now I have to return the Buffalo, and the Lacie won't work. I guess I'm stuck with a USB 3.0 drive... :-( Really wanted to be able to thunderbolt my 512GB ssd, but it seems the only way to do so at this point is a big ol desktop drive.

Click to expand...

USB3 should only be illadvised for those who are really pushing their CPU. USB3 has a slightly higher CPU requirement so if you're stressing your CPU, USB3 will disconnect and your computer will shut down(due to no boot-drive connected).

For me though who are not using CPU-intensive applications, it should be perfectly safe to boot from USB3.

"My understanding is if booting off the drive, Thunderbolt is the way to go. Is this accurate? Suggestions as to an enclosure?"

I think you ought to include the latest, fastest USB3 enclosures in your considerations.

They may not offer the "pressing the edge of the envelope" speed that Thunderbolt provides, but the right ones are still VERY fast. In all likelihood, you probably won't notice the difference in day-to-day usage.

Even recent USB3/SATA docking stations are right up there in speed.

Check these:
http://www.barefeats.com/hard161.html

http://fortysomethinggeek.blogspot.com/2012/10/blacx-5g-usb-30-update-fastest-usb-30.html

I have a Crucial M4 512GB on a Seagate GoFlex Thunderbolt adapter. On eBay I found some new GoFLex "disk enclosures" (the plug-on shell) which hold any 2.5" SATA drive and make for a cleaner appearance with my SSD inside.

You could also buy a hard disk GoFlex Thunderbolt, open the shell and replace the hard disk with your SSD, then sell the HD, use it in another laptop, or put it in a cheap USB-3 case and use it for backup (a single hard disk on Thunderbolt is sort of a waste anyway).

My 512GB SSD on the GoFlex seems to be working fine!

NOTE: This arrangement works great for installing/booting Windows externally as well.


-howard