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External Fast SSD options

P

pierre1610

macrumors regular
Original poster
Feb 3, 2009
185
19
I have several machine ranging from a 2013 Mac Pro to a 2018 Mac Mini. I need more external fast storage that is reliable and can be used constantly throughout the day. Portablity is less important than reliability. I also want something that is to some extent futureproof.
2-4tb is ideal and would depend on price but speed is very important.
Im considering the following 2 options but am open to others if people have experience with them.
Lacie 1big-dock-ssd-pro 2tb = £1149
OWC Express 4M2 4-Slot M.2 NVMe SSD Enclosure = £279 + 2x m2 SSD 1tb = £300 - total = £600
(RAID0)
The OWC is the cheaper option and offers greater expandability later however i have read some bad reviews and it seems to be speed limited unless in RAID0

The Lacie is expensive and is only 1 SSD, but does seem faster than the OWC even when the OWC is in RAID0.

The main machine i use is thunderbolt 2
 
How fast are you needing?

I have not tried it yet, but I was thinking of getting this one, it is a cheaper than the OWC Express:
www.amazon.com

Thunderbolt 3 Two-Slot M.2 NVMe SSD Enclosure Support Thunderbolt 2 Compatible with New M1 CPU

Thunderbolt 3 Two-Slot M.2 NVMe SSD Enclosure Support Thunderbolt 2 Compatible with New M1 CPU
www.amazon.com

The speeds are fast in RAID0, but not bad with a single drive as well.

It is TB3, but you can use it with your TB2 machines with Apple's bidirectional adapter.

What is nice about it is that it is powered from a separate power supply, as almost all NVMe drives I have seen are only bus powered. So, no need for extra equipment such as a TB3 dock to power it.
 
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
i need as fast as i can get really, upwards of 1GB/s ideally on thunderbolt 2
 
vertical smile said:
How fast are you needing?

I have not tried it yet, but I was thinking of getting this one, it is a cheaper than the OWC Express:
www.amazon.com

Thunderbolt 3 Two-Slot M.2 NVMe SSD Enclosure Support Thunderbolt 2 Compatible with New M1 CPU

Thunderbolt 3 Two-Slot M.2 NVMe SSD Enclosure Support Thunderbolt 2 Compatible with New M1 CPU
www.amazon.com

The speeds are fast in RAID0, but not bad with a single drive as well.

It is TB3, but you can use it with your TB2 machines with Apple's bidirectional adapter.

What is nice about it is that it is powered from a separate power supply, as almost all NVMe drives I have seen are only bus powered. So, no need for extra equipment such as a TB3 dock to power it.
Click to expand...
the link was for your search not a specific product i think
 
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
If you want "reliability", I would avoid RAID.

I can't resist asking:
What do you require 1gbps for...?
 
Ifti said:
I guess that adapter could go into the back of the drive, and then a standard TB2 cable from adapter to computer....never tried it, but in theory should work.....
Click to expand...
Yep, that should do the trick.
 
Ifti said:
Im selling this at the moment which would suit you perfectly.

I've been running two of these (8TB versions) for a while now alongside FCPX and they have been flawless - no issues at all.


Don't bother with the OWC 4M2 - I used to have a 4 bay version and didnt like the fan noise!

EDIT - Just realised you need TB2 - the above drive is TB3......
Click to expand...
For some reason it says i don't have permission to view the link
 
vertical smile said:
I think it is because you do not have enough posts.

IIRC, it is 200 or 250 posts to view and post marketplace threads.
Click to expand...
ah, that must be it, i'm way down even though i've been a member here for 10yrs.

Ifti said:
Im selling this at the moment which would suit you perfectly.

I've been running two of these (8TB versions) for a while now alongside FCPX and they have been flawless - no issues at all.


Don't bother with the OWC 4M2 - I used to have a 4 bay version and didnt like the fan noise!

EDIT - Just realised you need TB2 - the above drive is TB3......
Click to expand...
How much are you selling it for, sounds like i don't have enough posts to view the marketplace
 
pierre1610 said:
ah, that must be it, i'm way down even though i've been a member here for 10yrs.


How much are you selling it for, sounds like i don't have enough posts to view the marketplace
Click to expand...

I'll PM you details and images - not sure if I'm OK to post the ad outside of the marketplace etc ;)
 
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