Working primarily from external drive to extend computer drive's lifespan?

Discussion in 'Mac Basics and Help' started by GanChan, Apr 28, 2015.

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  1. GanChan, Apr 28, 2015

    GanChan macrumors 6502a

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    #1
    Would it extend the usable life of my Macbook Air's hard drive if I stored most of my files on an external hard drive so that drive would take most of the file read/write burden?

    Probably not, right?
     
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  2. dyt1983, Apr 28, 2015
    Last edited: Jun 2, 2015

    dyt1983 macrumors 65816

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    #2
    edit: to remove personally identifying information not relevant to the thread.
     
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  3. GanChan, Apr 28, 2015

    GanChan thread starter macrumors 6502a

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    #3
    Yeah, I meant a new-ish (2104) model with a SSD. My "master computer" is my Mini, and I regularly back up the Mini's folders to a USB 3.0 thumb drive. I've just been working directly from the thumb drive when I use my Air (instead of transferring those folders onto the Air's SSD), and haven't experienced any meaningful lag in response time....

    I tend to go a looooong time between computer purchases, though, so you could say that I ask significantly more longevity of them than the average "update-every-couple-years" user.
     
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  4. Apple fanboy, Apr 28, 2015

    Apple fanboy macrumors P6

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    #4
    Whether you use your Air's internal drive or not it should still last around 5 years plus. Remember an SSD has no movable parts, so it doesn't wear out like a traditional spinning hard drive.
     
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  5. glenthompson, Apr 29, 2015

    glenthompson macrumors 68000

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    #5
    Right. The external spinning drive will probably die long before you've reached the write limits of the SSD. Most people can expect 10+ years of life out of an SSD if they use it heavily. At my current rate I expect my 840 Pro to last about 50 years.
     
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