Advantages or disadvantages to external storage for MBA M1

[targa88]

Notwithstanding the limitations of internal memory along with RAM - that come installed on a MBA M1.
Are there advantages / disadvantages to using external storage?
I would preclude:

1. Not having enough internal storage
2. File transfer speeds when downloading/uploading.
3. Files (shared) via Google Drive, iCloud, etc. (which could be similar to #1)

I have read commentary about different types of external storage, prefer to focus on SSDs.

Appreciate the expertise.

 

[MapleBeercules]

disadvantage is you now have to manage additional devices. That includes what data is on them, how to secure them etc. Advantages of using external storage, you dont put a heavy work load on the internal SSD giving it a bit longer life span.

If you get a USB-C apple compatible SSD devices (NVME PCIE) it will be near as fast as your internal storage.

Consider icloud or google drive your offline storage, should your Macbook Air get stolen or damage beyond repair all your data should be in your icloud account and no need to recover anything on Macbook.

Hope that helps.

 

[Gudi]

Are there advantages / disadvantages to using external storage?

My Download folder sits on an old SATA SSD connected with a cable like this. Advantages of external storage are simple, portable, fast, silent and it keeps my internal storage free for Swap memory and prolonged SSD lifetime. If the internal SSD is almost full, it will wear out faster, because all the write commands always go to the same few cells which are still free.