I'm trying to run this 2012 iMac until it is inoperable, but I am also not keen on opening this thing just to replace the hard drive, not in the slightest. 20 years ago I would've done this job but I'm old and lazy, so an external will do just fine once the internal inevitably bites the dust. I'd like to be a bit proactive and know my best option beforehand.
Should I be looking for a Thunderbolt powered drive or a USB 3 drive? My preference is an SSD, and I'd love to use Thunderbolt because it leaves me all of my USBs, but if USB is the more realistic option then so be it. In either event, what's a reliable yet cheap option? I have never once booted a Mac from a USB drive, is there anything to know about this? Any caveats? Ideally I will triple boot Mavericks, Sierra, and Monterey with OCLP on this drive.
Should I be looking for a Thunderbolt powered drive or a USB 3 drive? My preference is an SSD, and I'd love to use Thunderbolt because it leaves me all of my USBs, but if USB is the more realistic option then so be it. In either event, what's a reliable yet cheap option? I have never once booted a Mac from a USB drive, is there anything to know about this? Any caveats? Ideally I will triple boot Mavericks, Sierra, and Monterey with OCLP on this drive.
