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External storage for M1 iMac?
- Thread starter edhchoe
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I'd say so. Thumb drives aren't very durable nor are they as speedy. Any decent SSD would be a better choice.
But know that if you attach an external 2.5" USB SSD there will be a significant speed difference between it and the fast, built-in system SSD that comes on the M1 Macs.
But know that if you attach an external 2.5" USB SSD there will be a significant speed difference between it and the fast, built-in system SSD that comes on the M1 Macs.
DON'T buy a thumbdrive. They're trash.
Get something like this, which uses a real SSD controller to ensure performance and longevity:
Get something like this, which uses a real SSD controller to ensure performance and longevity:
SanDisk 1TB Extreme Portable SSD - Up to 1050MB/s - USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2 - External Solid State Drive - SDSSDE61-1T00-G25
Your life’s an adventure. To capture and keep its best moments, you need fast, high-capacity storage that accelerates every move. 1050MB/s read and 1000MB/s write speeds let you store your content and creations on a fast drive that fits seamlessly into your active lifestyle. Up to two-meter drop ...
www.amazon.com
USB3 should be bootable as well as thunderbolt.
DON'T rely on a USB flash drive to store anything that's important to you.
DO get either a USB3 or USB3.1 gen2 drive. Gen2 is faster, but will run warmer.
ALSO:
BE AWARE that if you rely on an external drive for storage, that you ALSO must back that external drive up, as well as backing up your internal drive.
So... when you come down to it, you need TWO drives (primary external and external backup).
My opinion is... might be just as cost-effective to "pay Apple's price" for the extra internal storage...
DON'T rely on a USB flash drive to store anything that's important to you.
DO get either a USB3 or USB3.1 gen2 drive. Gen2 is faster, but will run warmer.
ALSO:
BE AWARE that if you rely on an external drive for storage, that you ALSO must back that external drive up, as well as backing up your internal drive.
So... when you come down to it, you need TWO drives (primary external and external backup).
My opinion is... might be just as cost-effective to "pay Apple's price" for the extra internal storage...
Must have Thunderbolt connector: https://www.macworld.com/article/331916/how-to-start-up-your-m1-mac-from-an-external-drive.html
I'm trying to find if anyone has compiled a list of external housings that are bootable from the M1 Macs. What I've seen so far is individual postings of success and in many instances the housing they've used is currently unavailable. I guess as people find out they work they're getting snatched up.
I also saw some postings speculating that this external bootability pickiness issue may be fixed in a software update.
I also saw some postings speculating that this external bootability pickiness issue may be fixed in a software update.