Advantages to running from an external drive?

[GanChan]

In the past I've had good luck boosting my 2012 Mini's performance by booting from an external SSD. I'm getting ready to buy a base-model M2 Mini as a replacement, but I'm wondering whether I would enjoy any particular benefits by booting it off an external SD as well? Not necessarily a speed bump, since I'd only be using it for basic office tasks and watching streaming video, but maybe less stress on the internal drive or some such thing?

 

[MarkC426]

An M2 (or M1) Mini would be like a rocket with the internal Soc chip compared to any external ssd.

 

[Toutou]

No. Literally nothing, don't do it.

 

[Fishrrman]

"I'm getting ready to buy a base-model M2 Mini as a replacement, but I'm wondering whether I would enjoy any particular benefits by booting it off an external SD as well?"

NO.

With the 2012 Mini (I have one, too), with it's slow platter-based internal HDD, booting from an external USB3 SSD "made sense".

BUT...

The NEW Minis have a fast internal SSD.
It no longer "makes sense" to boot externally.

ALSO...
Be aware that the "base model" Mini comes with a 256gb SSD. I believe it will give read speeds around 1,500MBps.
HOWEVER...
If you "bump up" the internal drive size to 1tb (adds $200), it also DOUBLES the speed of the internal drive due to chip design. You should see read speeds around 3,000MBps.

I'd spend the extra $200 for the extra speed.
Your choice.

 

[MarkC426]

ALSO...
Be aware that the "base model" Mini comes with a 256gb SSD. I believe it will give read speeds around 1,500MBps.

This being said, this is 'by no means' slow....😛
This is still 3x faster than any drive on my cMP.