1TB SSD? and external SSD questions

[jazzer15]

I am considering purchasing a top tier model 2020 iMac. I am currently using a late 2015 with an internal 512GB SSD and an external 2TB Western Digital HDD. My storage is fluid, but the internal currently has around 150GB on it and the external around 900 GB, which includes my iTunes/Music library, Lossless (FLAC) files, Garageband/Logic files, video files, Raw photos other than what I am currently working on and various other things.

a few questions:

1. Since I am clearly going to need an external hard drive in any event, if I buy a 2020 iMac, does it make sense to get a BTO with a 1TB SSD or should I just go with another 512GB internal and buy an external SSD?

2. One thing that annoys me about my current setup is that I often hve to wait to access the external HDD because it goes to sleep (and the setting in Energy Saver doesn't seem to have any effect). Am I correct that this issue will go away if I get an external SSD? (Note: this is not the reason I am considering the new iMac purchase); and

3. What external SSD would you recommend? And does your recommendation change depending on whether I am purchasing the drive for the late 2015 (which has USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt 2) or for the 2020 iMac.

Thanks.

 

[Fishrrman]

I'd get an internal 512gb, unless you can get 1tb internal SSD for a good price.

Otherwise, pick up an EXTERNAL 1tb SSD to supplement the 512gb internal.
Actually, 2tb external SSDs are coming into reasonable price ranges.

You'll want additional external backup drives for BOTH SSDs (of course).
Platter-based is fine for this mission.

 

[pldelisle]

I'd get an internal 512gb, unless you can get 1tb internal SSD for a good price

There is always one price lol.
I‘d recommend a Samsung T7 USB3.2 external drive + 1 TB internal SSD.

 

[getrealbro]

...
1. Since I am clearly going to need an external hard drive in any event, if I buy a 2020 iMac, does it make sense to get a BTO with a 1TB SSD or should I just go with another 512GB internal and buy an external SSD?

2. One thing that annoys me about my current setup is that I often hve to wait to access the external HDD because it goes to sleep (and the setting in Energy Saver doesn't seem to have any effect). Am I correct that this issue will go away if I get an external SSD? (Note: this is not the reason I am considering the new iMac purchase); and

3. What external SSD would you recommend? And does your recommendation change depending on whether I am purchasing the drive for the late 2015 (which has USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt 2) or for the 2020 iMac.

1 - Apple’s internal 512GB - > 1TB upgrade is a good buy. The internal 1TB will be faster than the 512 internal SSD AND as fast or faster than all but the most expensive external NVMe SSDs.

2 - Internal and external SSDs do not have a delay in accessing data like an HDD, which parks it’s head(s) and maybe spins down between uses.

3 - External SSDs come in several speeds with different prices. For example, the Samsung External SSDs come in a T5, T7 and X5. We are booting and running a 2013 iMac from a T5 and using a T7 for an external Data drive on my 2018 i7 Mini which only has a 256Gb internal SSD. SSD’s are limited to the speed of the connection. So it is best to match the speed of the SSD with the speed of the connection (e.g. USB 3.0, USBc, etc)

GetRealBro

 

[MMidnight]

In the end it’s all a matter of preferences or amount of data you move. 512Gb is more than enough for the system now and in a few years from now.

512Gb Internal and using external SSDs is the best option for me .In my case it reminds me to keep my disc in order and my data safe/portable. Besides with the T2 chip in case anything happens I won’t have to worry about my data (yes, I use TimeMachine, but **** happens...)
Also I can move my discs from the iMac to the MBP and have my data available on the go.

 

[jazzer15]

Thanks everyone.

1 - Apple’s internal 512GB - > 1TB upgrade is a good buy. The internal 1TB will be faster than the 512 internal SSD AND as fast or faster than all but the most expensive external NVMe SSDs.

2 - Internal and external SSDs do not have a delay in accessing data like an HDD, which parks it’s head(s) and maybe spins down between uses.

3 - External SSDs come in several speeds with different prices. For example, the Samsung External SSDs come in a T5, T7 and X5. We are booting and running a 2013 iMac from a T5 and using a T7 for an external Data drive on my 2018 i7 Mini which only has a 256Gb internal SSD. SSD’s are limited to the speed of the connection. So it is best to match the speed of the SSD with the speed of the connection (e.g. USB 3.0, USBc, etc)

GetRealBro

Thanks. Honestly, the upgrade to a 1TB internal would probably be a no brainer if there weren't a 3-4 week for them. You would think with a popular upgrade like that that they would have been prepared almost like a stock computer. I imagine many people buying the 3rd tier would spend the extra couple of hundred dollars for the larger drive. In any event, there is no urgency to the purchase, so I might be better off waiting.

 

[jazzer15]

In the end it’s all a matter of preferences or amount of data you move. 512Gb is more than enough for the system now and in a few years from now.

Besides with the T2 chip in case anything happens I won’t have to worry about my data (yes, I use TimeMachine, but **** happens...)

Can you explain a little more what you mean by this? How does the T2 chip play into it? Thanks.

 

[CWallace]

There are somewhat significant shipping delays (weeks) on any storage configuration other than 512GB at the moment. So if you plan to get a large external SSD, it might be a better option to get the 512GB model just because it is available now.

I was considering getting a 2020, but I need 1TB and the shipping delays are such that it is on the edge of the special finance period for my Barclay's Apple Rewards VISA so I am just going to keep my 2017 (it's plenty fine for my needs) and wait for Apple Silicon.