Boot macOS for a Thunderbolt 4 external SSD?

[camelia]

Hi

I would like to boot macOS Sonoma from an extenal SSD in my MBP 2023 (Running in internal SSD Ventura)

All I know is that I need a ssd case Thunderbolt 4, and a fast SSD but I don't have any idea what could be a good option

Any advice?

Thanks
Camelia

 

[Fishrrman]

You could use a USB3.1 gen2 SSD instead of thunderbolt -- cheaper, and still pretty fast.

I'd suggest something like this:

SAMSUNG T7 Shield 1TB, Portable SSD, up to 1050MB/s, USB 3.2 Gen2, Rugged, IP65 Rated, for Photographers, Content Creators and Gaming, External Solid State Drive (MU-PE1T0R/AM, 2022), Blue

Samsung T7 Shield Portable SSD delivers high performance on-the-go, not matter the terrain. It has an IP65 rating for water1 and dust2 resistance, with Dynamic Thermal Guard to manage heat control. Transfer huge files instantly. USB 3.2 Gen 2 and PCIe® NVMe achieve soaring sequential read/write ...

www.amazon.com

Then, you could install Sonoma onto it.

If you MUST have thunderbolt, it's going to cost you more.
I'd pick the enclosure first, and then a good nvme "blade" SSD.

Hmmmm....
There's another option (since you have a late-model MBP):
USB4.
It's as fast as tbolt4.
But there aren't many USB4 enclosures yet.
There are some, but like the tbolt4 enclosures, they cost more.

 

[camelia]

You could use a USB3.1 gen2 SSD instead of thunderbolt -- cheaper, and still pretty fast.

I'd suggest something like this:

SAMSUNG T7 Shield 1TB, Portable SSD, up to 1050MB/s, USB 3.2 Gen2, Rugged, IP65 Rated, for Photographers, Content Creators and Gaming, External Solid State Drive (MU-PE1T0R/AM, 2022), Blue

Samsung T7 Shield Portable SSD delivers high performance on-the-go, not matter the terrain. It has an IP65 rating for water1 and dust2 resistance, with Dynamic Thermal Guard to manage heat control. Transfer huge files instantly. USB 3.2 Gen 2 and PCIe® NVMe achieve soaring sequential read/write ...

www.amazon.com

Then, you could install Sonoma onto it.

If you MUST have thunderbolt, it's going to cost you more.
I'd pick the enclosure first, and then a good nvme "blade" SSD.

Hmmmm....
There's another option (since you have a late-model MBP):
USB4.
It's as fast as tbolt4.
But there aren't many USB4 enclosures yet.
There are some, but like the tbolt4 enclosures, they cost more.

But the FASTER is going to be always tbolt4 against the others, right?

Because I know there are cheaper thunderbolt enclosures at amazon, I just watch a video

But still need a faster SSD

Thanks
Camelia

 

[picpicmac]

But the FASTER is going to be always tbolt4 against the others, right?

Good question. I'm researching enclosures for the same purpose as you (booting from external drive.)

Be sure to read up on Thunderbolt 3 differences with Thunderbolt 4 and USB 4. It's all very confusing when it comes to performance.

Youtube reviews seem to really like the Acasis TB4 enclosure and it is on my short list.