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Getting my boot drive to below 256GB for a new MB Pro ?

deckard666

deckard666

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Jan 16, 2007
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Falmouth
Thinking of buying a M1 MacBook Pro but currently on my 2010 cMP my boot drive is just over 512GB which includes a 155Gb Photos Library file which presumably I can rid of now I am using Photos on High Sierra. In terms of getting it down below 256GB to save some money any thoughts ? What is the minimum base level/size for a boot drive ?
 
For just being able to boot the Mac without any problems, have room for updates, and leave room for garbage control, I would say 50 - 60GB. You want to leave 20% of your SSD free so that it performs properly.
 
Just checked my AboutThisMac and it says System is occupying 289GB - I resume I cannot "play" with that to reduce its size as that takes me over the 256 limit on its own !
 
deckard666 said:
which includes a 155Gb Photos Library file which presumably I can rid of now I am using Photos on High Sierra.
Click to expand...
What do you mean by this?

Do you mean you can not include the photos on your new Mac because you are keeping them on your old Mac?
 
deckard666 said:
Just checked my AboutThisMac and it says System is occupying 289GB - I resume I cannot "play" with that to reduce its size as that takes me over the 256 limit on its own !
Click to expand...
If all you are running is MacOS, what you are seeing (size wise) is not just actual system files that are installed with the OS. You have a lot of other files that are being seen as system files.

A fresh install of the OS takes up about 15 GB on the SSD. If I were you, I would back up personal files that are important to you, wipe the drive and reinstall the OS. After that, decide what files you need to keep on your drive on a daily basis, and then take a look at the total amount used on the SSD. Make sure to account for extra pace for updates and SSD control when you compute your total space.
 
My advice:
Pay the extra $$$$ and get the 512gb drive.
Sooner or later, you're gonna need it.
Probably... sooner.
 
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