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New iMac to replace old 2012 model, external ssd recommendations
- Thread starter Orty
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Will this always be sitting on your desk or will you be taking it on the road?
How much storage do you think you'll need?
Do you need blazing speed, or would something more modest do?
Any preference for Thunderbolt or USB?
Do you want something pre-built or would you be able to put one together from parts?
What's your budget for this?
How much storage do you think you'll need?
Do you need blazing speed, or would something more modest do?
Any preference for Thunderbolt or USB?
Do you want something pre-built or would you be able to put one together from parts?
What's your budget for this?
Ok lots of questions, I’ll try and answer them
it will be attached to the iMac most of the time but occasionally I may find it useful for my MacBook Pro
it will be for downloading mainly media files, I.e music and video
Thunderbolt or usb, will speed dictate this?
I want an off the shelf item.
Budget <£120
the Apple Store suggested a Samsung T7, this seems too good to be true for the price
Samsung SSDs are pretty reliable. I don't have a T7 but do have some Samsung 980 Pro 2TB NVMe drives in external bus powered cases and they haven't failed me yet. I don't have any M-series AS Macs (still rocking a few Intel models).
If the T7 looks like it will work for you and is in your budget then you can't go wrong getting one. If you search the forums here you'll see that there are a lot of people that like the drive. If they have a return policy you may want to stress test it before committing. I have read that there are some people having problems with unexpected disconnects with USB, which is why most of mine are Thunderbolt.
If the T7 looks like it will work for you and is in your budget then you can't go wrong getting one. If you search the forums here you'll see that there are a lot of people that like the drive. If they have a return policy you may want to stress test it before committing. I have read that there are some people having problems with unexpected disconnects with USB, which is why most of mine are Thunderbolt.
Samsung t7 "Shield" in 1tb size is what you want:
I have one myself, very nice.
It will serve you well.
Some additional tips:
When you get the new SSD, IMMEDIATELY ERASE IT to the format you will be using.
You DO NOT NEED any manufacturer software that comes on the drive.
If the drive is going to be used FOR DATA STORAGE ONLY (not bootable or not a tm backup), erase it to "Mac OS extended (journaling enabled), GUID partition format".
If you need it to be bootable, or will use for a tm or other backup, then it will need to be erased to APFS, GUID partition format.
One other thing about using an external drive for "primary external storage" for files that ARE NOT on your internal drive:
Now, you have a SECOND drive that needs to be "backed up" to prevent against data loss.
YOUR DATA IS NOT SAFE on only one drive.
This means you also need A SECOND EXTERNAL DRIVE to serve as a backup to the SSD.
You could use a cheap platter-based drive for this job.
I would recommend using either CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper to regularly "update" the backup -- doing so will create AN EXACT COPY of the original.
SAMSUNG T7 Shield 1TB, up to 1050MB/s, USB 3.2 Gen2, Rugged, IP65 Rated, for Photographers, Content Creators and Gaming, Portable External Solid State Drive (MU-PE1T0S/AM, 2022), Black
Samsung T7 Shield Portable SSD delivers high performance on-the-go, not matter the terrain. It has an IP65 rating for water** and dust* resistance, with Dynamic Thermal Guard to manage heat control. Transfer huge files instantly. USB 3.2 Gen 2 and PCIe® NVMe™ achieve soaring sequential read/write...
www.amazon.com
I have one myself, very nice.
It will serve you well.
Some additional tips:
When you get the new SSD, IMMEDIATELY ERASE IT to the format you will be using.
You DO NOT NEED any manufacturer software that comes on the drive.
If the drive is going to be used FOR DATA STORAGE ONLY (not bootable or not a tm backup), erase it to "Mac OS extended (journaling enabled), GUID partition format".
If you need it to be bootable, or will use for a tm or other backup, then it will need to be erased to APFS, GUID partition format.
One other thing about using an external drive for "primary external storage" for files that ARE NOT on your internal drive:
Now, you have a SECOND drive that needs to be "backed up" to prevent against data loss.
YOUR DATA IS NOT SAFE on only one drive.
This means you also need A SECOND EXTERNAL DRIVE to serve as a backup to the SSD.
You could use a cheap platter-based drive for this job.
I would recommend using either CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper to regularly "update" the backup -- doing so will create AN EXACT COPY of the original.
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Keep an eye on the Black Friday deals, last year I picked up a 2 TB Samsung T7 SSD for 150 euros.