External ssd upgrade

[posnera]

I have a 2012 mini with the spinning hd and was considering upgrading to an ssd. I don't really want to open it up and would use an external enclosure.
I just saw this deal on newegg for $99:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148694&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL073114&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL073114-_-EMC-073114-Index-_-SSD-_-20148694-L0C

Is there any reason this drive wouldn't work for boot/os/apps?

 

[Cave Man]

It should be fine so long as its in a USB3 enclosure. Alternatively, you can add an eSATA Thunderbolt enclosure, but the difference in speed would be minimal. I have been running Yosemite from an external SSD/USB3 for several weeks now and it runs just fine on the Mini.

 

[fa8362]

The MX100 is faster and only slightly more expensive. Shop around.

 

[drsox]

I have a 2012 mini with the spinning hd and was considering upgrading to an ssd. I don't really want to open it up and would use an external enclosure.
I just saw this deal on newegg for $99:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...73114-_-EMC-073114-Index-_-SSD-_-20148694-L0C

Is there any reason this drive wouldn't work for boot/os/apps?

Put the SSD in one of these : http://www.amazon.com/Optimized-Ina...406835401&sr=8-1&keywords=USB+3+enclosure+2.5

You will get close to SATA data rates with minimal effort and can easily use it as the OS drive.

 

[posnera]

The MX100 is faster and only slightly more expensive. Shop around.

Put the SSD in one of these : http://www.amazon.com/Optimized-Ina...406835401&sr=8-1&keywords=USB+3+enclosure+2.5

You will get close to SATA data rates with minimal effort and can easily use it as the OS drive.

Thanks for the advice. I was looking at that enclosure. This isn't an urgent upgrade. I may wait a while for a better deal on a drive.

 

[Cape Dave]

Thanks for the advice. I was looking at that enclosure. This isn't an urgent upgrade. I may wait a while for a better deal on a drive.

I was looking at that case too. There are some awesome drives out there now. Samsung 850 Pro for one All my predictions abut SSD's are coming to fruition. I am always right

 

[Fishrrman]

You will do far better by buying a bare drive and a USB3 enclosure (or USB3/SATA dock) and putting things together yourself, than you would do by buying a "pre-packaged" drive.

One of the most important issues is "warranty". Don't you get a much longer warranty period on a "bare drive", than with a pre-assembled unit?

Also, VERY important, is that to get the full speeds an SSD is capable of delivering, you need an enclosure or dock that supports UASP (USB Attached SCSI Protocol).

DO NOT buy a drive, enclosure, or dock UNLESS it is specifically stated that the device supports UASP !!!!!!! (shouting intentional).

Here's an enclosure that supports UASP:
http://www.amazon.com/Optimized-Ina...sr=8-1&keywords=inateck+2.5"+USB3+uasp&dpPl=1

Here's a dock that supports it, as well:
http://www.amazon.com/Optimized-Ina...sr=8-2&keywords=inateck+2.5"+USB3+uasp&dpPl=1

(Disclaimer: no financial interest in either of the above products)

Then, get a "bare drive" from the vendor of your choice. You can keep an eye out for SSD sales at dealmac.com.

Putting the drive into the enclosure is a one-minute operation -- doesn't even use screws.
Putting a drive into a dock is even easier -- can you put bread into a toaster?

Use Disk Utility to initialize the drive to HFS+, journaling enabled.

Then, download either CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper and clone the contents of your internal drive to the external.

Then, reboot, and off you go!

 

[robertojorge]

Hi, heres a video i recorded last month with a lot of tests on an external ssd on my mac mini. It might help your decision.

http://youtu.be/YVAp_tUceXs

Al the best
RJ

 

[apfelmann]

You will do far better by buying a bare drive and a USB3 enclosure (or USB3/SATA dock) and putting things together yourself, than you would do by buying a "pre-packaged" drive.

One of the most important issues is "warranty". Don't you get a much longer warranty period on a "bare drive", than with a pre-assembled unit?

Also, VERY important, is that to get the full speeds an SSD is capable of delivering, you need an enclosure or dock that supports UASP (USB Attached SCSI Protocol).

DO NOT buy a drive, enclosure, or dock UNLESS it is specifically stated that the device supports UASP !!!!!!! (shouting intentional).

Here's an enclosure that supports UASP:
http://www.amazon.com/Optimized-Ina...sr=8-1&keywords=inateck+2.5"+USB3+uasp&dpPl=1

Here's a dock that supports it, as well:
http://www.amazon.com/Optimized-Ina...sr=8-2&keywords=inateck+2.5"+USB3+uasp&dpPl=1

(Disclaimer: no financial interest in either of the above products)

Then, get a "bare drive" from the vendor of your choice. You can keep an eye out for SSD sales at dealmac.com.

Putting the drive into the enclosure is a one-minute operation -- doesn't even use screws.
Putting a drive into a dock is even easier -- can you put bread into a toaster?

Use Disk Utility to initialize the drive to HFS+, journaling enabled.

Then, download either CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper and clone the contents of your internal drive to the external.

Then, reboot, and off you go!

Uasp - very interesting!!! Thanks!