DIY fusion drive using USB external

[steveOooo]

if getting iMac 27 with 256gb ssd - could I then hang a USB 3 bus powered drive around the back (say 4tb) and use this as my home directory?

So when I plug the USB in, go to system prefs - accounts and choose the USB drive for the home directory?

Also if I did get fusion drive and after 3years and 1 day the drive fails, is there a way to still use the Mac using an external drive? Or a way to get back the 128gb? Ssd module and use a external drive as the home directory

 

[Fravin]

You have to make it with some caution. Follow the steps in this article:

https://www.lifewire.com/move-macs-home-folder-new-location-2260157

Keep in mind that the startup drive must have at least one user account stored in it.

 

[Fishrrman]

My advice:

DON'T "fuse" an external drive with an internal SSD.
Let the external drive "be its own drive".

DO put the OS, apps, and accounts on the internal drive, but...
...put your large libraries of music, pictures and movies on the external drive.

Then, using your apps, "point the way" to the external drive.

If you set up this way, the internal SSD will always run at full speed.
If you keep the SSD "lean, clean, and mean", it will always perform at its best.

There's nothing at all to managing between two (or more) drives.
You'll know where things are.