Old-Timer Needing Help With SSD, Upgrading to Mac Studio, Etc.

[RAILhead]

Long-time Mac user needing to get with the program regarding SSDs, etc., and needing help.

I’m considering replacing my iMac with the Mac Studio — but I’m at a loss when it comes to storage. All I’ve ever used is internal storage (except for backups), and now that I’m doing more video and photography work, I believe I should move to having that data on external SSDs. Add the Mac Studio to the equation, and the cost goes bananas when you go for loads of internal storage.

My current Mac has been okay with 4TB internal, so I think I could get 2TB on the Studio and then keep my Final Cut, Logic, and photo work on an external 2 to 4TB SSD. Right? Or get multiple externals? And if I got a Thunderbolt external, not USB-C, doing 4K video would be good still?

Last, what about Time Machine backups of my internal and external(s)? Can TM backup multiple disks like that if the backup storage is large enough?

Thanks for helping this old guy out!

 

[EugW]

I think I've seen your forum handle before. Were you on MacNN or something before?

[EDIT] Nope. You've been here 20 years, but with only 4 posts before today. Wow! [/EDIT]

Anyhow, it seems most of the YouTuber editors keep their projects off the main machine, on external drives or on NASes, the latter via 10GigE Ethernet. For external drives, some of the USB-C drives may suffice as they've gotten a lot faster and better at keeping that speed for sustained periods. However, Thunderbolt drives are preferred, at much higher cost. As for "4K video" I guess it would have to do with the formats used.

Time Machine can back up external drives if you wish. My current setup is an iMac with 1 TB SSD, and 2 TB external SSD, and both are backed up to a Time Machine drive.

 

[RAILhead]

I think I've seen your forum handle before. Were you on MacNN or something before?

[EDIT] Nope. You've been here 20 years, but with only 4 posts before today. Wow! [/EDIT]

Anyhow, it seems most of the YouTuber editors keep their projects off the main machine, on external drives or on NASes, the latter via 10GigE Ethernet. For external drives, some of the USB-C drives may suffice as they've gotten a lot faster and better at keeping that speed for sustained periods. However, Thunderbolt drives are preferred, at much higher cost. As for "4K video" I guess it would have to do with the formats used.

Time Machine can back up external drives if you wish. My current setup is an iMac with 1 TB SSD, and 2 TB external SSD, and both are backed up to a Time Machine drive.

Oh yeah, I was heavily over in the MacNN Forums back in the day with this handle, haha. I use this over at The Gear Page (music forum) if you happen to be over there, too.

I'll look at various Thunderbolt SSD options. Seems like one could snag several of those for the price of buying more internal storage from Apple for the mac Studio...

 

[vkd]

As you said "the cost goes bananas ", and that Studio thing is a lesson in price gouging for anybody who never saw it so brightly before LOL. If I was you, I'd get a Mac Mini with a non-Apple monitor at a less-gouged price and as you say, turn more towards external Thunderbolt SSD storage for your media files. Speed-wise it'd be more or less invisible to you they go so fast nowadays.

 

[EugW]

As you said "the cost goes bananas ", and that Studio thing is a lesson in price gouging for anybody who never saw it so brightly before LOL. If I was you, I'd get a Mac Mini with a non-Apple monitor at a less-gouged price and as you say, turn more towards external Thunderbolt SSD storage for your media files. Speed-wise it'd be more or less invisible to you they go so fast nowadays.

For Final Cut, Logic + photo stuff, I'd suggest sticking with Mac Studio. @RAILhead will likely want 32 GB (or more) anyway.

Plus Mac Studio provides a plethora of ports for adding peripherals.

 

[RAILhead]

I had this same thought, but my only real hesitation with a Mac mini and my workflow is the memory. I’m editing 15 to 30 minute 4k videos in Final Cut with several effects, color balance, etc. I also work with relatively large Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop files.

Perhaps the upcoming mini will have more memory…

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

You don't need thunderbolt. Probably a waste of money.
USB3 (or USB3.1 gen2) will be fine.

2tb is PLENTY of room on the internal drive.
1tb might even do.

Use your internal drive for "works in progress". The internal SSDs on the new Macs are VERY speedy.

Use your external drive(s) for general storage (stuff that does not get accessed frequently so it would only be "taking up room" on the internal drive), or "archiving" completed and older projects.

BUT BEWARE:
If you are using external drives for primary storage (data that doesn't exist anywhere else), then you must BACK UP these drives as well as backing up the internal drive.
Of course, that means a SECOND backup drive.
Otherwise, the contents of an external SSD could be lost... "just like that"...

 

[EugW]

OP:

You don't need thunderbolt. Probably a waste of money.
USB3 (or USB3.1 gen2) will be fine.

It really depends on the content and workflow, but a lot of content creators recommend Thunderbolt for external drives.

 

[RAILhead]

Thanks for the help, all!