2015 iMac and pro audio; what external drive besides 7200rpm FW?

[ambientdaw]

I did some shopping and I see that the TB2 iMac 2015 may have been lost in the shuffle as afar as connectivity goes. Yes there are USB3 SSD external drives, not sure that would be up to speed.

I have beens using FW800 to TB2 and am surprised my next purchase might have to be that same outdated and noisy tech. I just want SSD, but would love to use my TB port since I am using all my USB and hubs are iffy.

Shopping was very frustrating, like a twilight zone. Good grief the iMac is just over 2 years old!

What do you use?

 

[keysofanxiety]

USB 3/TB SSD would be far, far better than a 7200RPM drive. The read speed but also the seek rate of SSDs are very important to load your external content quickly.

USB 3 speeds would be fine, assuming you’ll be using an external SATA SSD. You can pick up a USB 3 enclosure for $15 and SSDs are pretty cheap.

Even if you had an objectively faster interface such as Thunderbolt, it would be wasted on a 7200RPM bottleneck.

Before you ask: Thunderbolt interfaces are considerably more expensive and the performance benefits over USB3 are negliable, if not noticeable whatsoever, for what you’ll be using it for. If your USB ports are dodgy, pick up a TB2 > USB 3 converter and use that.

 

[ambientdaw]

USB 3/TB SSD would be far, far better than a 7200RPM drive. The read speed but also the seek rate of SSDs are very important to load your external content quickly.

USB 3 speeds would be fine, assuming you’ll be using an external SATA SSD. You can pick up a USB 3 enclosure for $15 and SSDs are pretty cheap.

Even if you had an objectively faster interface such as Thunderbolt, it would be wasted on a 7200RPM bottleneck.

Before you ask: Thunderbolt interfaces are considerably more expensive and the performance benefits over USB3 are negliable, if not noticeable whatsoever, for what you’ll be using it for. If your USB ports are dodgy, pick up a TB2 > USB 3 converter and use that.

I should know what an external SATA is. Must be a specific type of USB3 enclosure? and then just get a Samsung EVO or some such?

I thought I checked Apple's site for USB3 to TB2 and didn't see that convertor. I wonder if anyone can vouch for it if it exists?
[doublepost=1539041058][/doublepost]No USB to TB2 adapters.

Can anyone give me some links to these cheap and appropriate enclosures? And suggestions for SSD's? thanks!

 

[keysofanxiety]

I should know what an external SATA is. Must be a specific type of USB3 enclosure? and then just get a Samsung EVO or some such?

I thought I checked Apple's site for USB3 to TB2 and didn't see that convertor. I wonder if anyone can vouch for it if it exists?
[doublepost=1539041058][/doublepost]No USB to TB2 adapters.

Can anyone give me some links to these cheap and appropriate enclosures? And suggestions for SSD's? thanks!

Something like this for your enclosure:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Inateck-Ex...+caddy+2.5&dpPl=1&dpID=31uL4-5amOL&ref=plSrch

Only TB converters I can find are TB3 not TB2... sorry

 

[ambientdaw]

Wow! $377 for 2TB in 2018? https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Inch...id=1539045872&s=Electronics&sr=1-2&ref=sr_1_2

 

[Fishrrman]

Get an external USB3 SSD.
It doesn't necessarily have to be "a large one" -- 500gb will do.

For archiving completed projects, just use a platter-based hard drive.