Would an external SSD give great gains? On MBP

[MrMister111]

I have a MBP 2019 and use it mainly for the app Photos. I have all my photos and videos in the Mac app now, but as my library is large it’s on an external USB 2Tb drive.

I upgraded from an old iMac that I also used the external USB (a different desktop type) and was hoping that my new MBP would be faster.

However, I know my library is large at 1.1Tb 40’000+ items but I’m a little disappointed in the speed. Sometimes get hangs, spinny wheels, blank items in library etc. (I have the library set to download all original’s, and use iCloud Photo Library). Was hoping the 2019 MBP would help.

I’m wondering if it’s the external USB drive? Would a external SSD work better? Pretty costly at around £200 for a 2Tb one though.

Others must have this problem as well nowadays with iPhone taking 4K and high resolution pics etc, so tuff photo library only going to get bigger?

Anyone suggest any help please.
Thanks

 

[Fishrrman]

Using an external SSD for your photo library would be faster.

Keep the OS and apps (and basic account) on the internal SSD.

 

[MrMister111]

Using an external SSD for your photo library would be faster.

Keep the OS and apps (and basic account) on the internal SSD.

Ok, even through the USB-C ports it would? Obviously my current 2Tb is a portable spinny drive I imagine so maybe slow?

Trouble is I need a 2Tb one and they are very expensive at moment.

What do others do for large photo library’s? My MBP has 256Gb internal so no good. Prefer to use originals and keep off the internal as imagine even with optimised it would still use a lot of space.