Running Mojave from External Drive and Ram Question

[SparkyCanada]

Hi there.

Just trying to understand how this works...

I believe I can run either Mojave or Catalina off an external SSD.

My question is - because some of my software is very RAM demanding - would running one of these operating systems off an M1 be as effective as running one of these off a new 16" MacBook Pro with 64 GB ram?

Thanks,

SparkyCanada

 

[appltech]

If you need more RAM for some specific apps, use the device with more RAM. Computing power will not substitute RAM. If we speak, for example, of an 8GB RAM M1 Mac vs MacBook Pro with 64GB RAM, use the latter 100%.
BUT, if you were to use 64GB M1 Mac (if one exists), here the choice is clear.

 

[Fishrrman]

RAM size isn't affected by the drive you boot from.

Internal SSD or external drive ... doesn't matter.

 

[chabig]

would running one of these operating systems off an M1

Neither Mojave nor Catalina will run on an M1 Mac.

 

[SparkyCanada]

Neither Mojave nor Catalina will run on an M1 Mac.

Interesting... glad I found out now...

Was thinking I could run Mojave or Catalina off an external SSD connected to an M1 - but appears not...

Thanks,

SparkyCanada