Storage is very important. Your internal storage can be very precious and often limited which is why a lot of people, myself included pick up a few external. SoftRAID for Mac and Windows The Best RAID Solution in the Universe. The powerful and intuitive software RAID utility for macOS and Windows that offers maximum volume capacity, optimum drive performance, data protection, or a combination of attributes with selectable RAID levels. Discover the best external hard drive for your mac for 2019, compare prices, features and top brands. If you want a different option, compare with the best external SSD card too. Mac Pro (2019) Mac Pro (Late 2013) Mac mini (M1, 2020). LaCie 1TB Mobile SSD High‑Performance External SSD USB-C USB 3.0 - Previous Gallery Image; LaCie 1TB Mobile SSD High‑Performance External SSD USB-C USB 3.0 - Next Gallery Image; Only at Apple. I have a 2011 27' iMac with an internal HDD and external SSD. My logic board or PSU seems to have failed. My latest backup is April 2020 (don't know how this happened). Can I take out the internal HDD and use an external enclosure and connect both drives to another computer to get access to the.
In this article, you will learn how to speed up your older iMac by booting to an external solid state drive. For this example, you will discover how you can boot to Mac OS Mojave using a Samsung T5 SSD.
Before we get into how to do it, let's cover a few reasons why you might want to consider booting to an external SSD with Mac OS Mojave installed. This may surprise you, but even in 2019, some iMacs come with a 5,400 RPM spinning hard drive installed.
Hard drives that run at 5,400 RPM or 7,200 RPM are noticeably slower than modern solid state drives. A solid state drive is also slightly faster than Apple's Fusion drives, which are a combination of flash storage and a traditional spinning hard drive.
If you don't upgrade to an SSD when you order your iMac, the only way to upgrade to a solid state drive afterward is to remove the iMac screen. Removing the iMac display screen is the only way to gain access to the inner components of the computer. A more cost effective and less intrusive method is to use an external solid state drive instead, like the Samsung T5.
Booting from a solid state drive like the Samsung T5 should give you a boost in performance, especially if you are running an older iMac with a 5,400 RPM hard drive. On top of booting from an external solid state drive, it is also a good idea to store your media files on another solid state drive separate from your operating system.
Having two solid state drives will speed up your photo and video editing workflow and video rendering times, and as of 2019, the prices on solid state drives have come down considerably. For a step-by-step tutorial on how to set up an external boot drive with Mac OS Mojave, check out the video tutorial in this article.
Mac pc or linux. If you are running a similar setup using solid state drives, let me know in the comment section below.
Best External Ssd For Macbook Pro 2014
We all love saving tons of photos, videos, and even movies on our laptops. So the default in-built storage on a MacBook can quickly run out, especially if you've been using it for a while. That's why it's handy to get an external drive too on which you can easily transfer all your big files. This will ensure your computer always has sufficient space. So without further delay, let's go ahead and find out the best external SSD for Mac.
#1. SanDisk 2TB Extreme Portable External SSD
Enjoy seamless transfers with this USB C SSD that gives up to 550MB/s read speeds. This external SSD for Mac is rugged and resistant to both water and dust with an IP55 rating.
Along with being compact and pocket-sized, it's also durable and shock-proof. So your data can stay safe during minor falls or drops. It comes with a 3-year limited warranty. You can choose from varied capacities from 250 GB to 1 TB, according to your needs.
Pros
- Water and dust resistant
- Shock-proof
- 4 storage capacities available
- Good price
Cons
- Slower read/write speeds
Price: $329.99 for 2TB capacity
Check out on Amazon
#2. Samsung X5 Portable SSD 2TB – Thunderbolt 3
Take your storage to the next level with this SSD. Designed with Thunderbolt 3 ports, the X5 is made for busy professionals who want to render high-resolution content quickly. Its thermal management and password protection features ensure safety and security.
Further, it offers impressive read/write speeds of 2,800/2,300 MB/s. So you can transfer a 20GB 4K UHD video from your computer to the SSD in as little as 12 seconds, depending on your system configurations. The innovative design is inspired by supercars!
Pros
- Thermal management
- Impressive read/write speeds
- 3 storage capacities available
- Sleek look
Cons
- Expensive
Price: $699.99 for 2TB capacity
Check out on Amazon
#3. Seagate STJD1000400 1Tb Solid State Drive
This high-speed, portable solid-state drive is perfect for streaming stored videos directly to your Macbook. It's an excellent choice for backing up your data on the go.
Moreover, its a mini USB 3.0 SSD with a lightweight, minimalist design that's convenient to carry every day Finally, you can enjoy long-term peace of mind with the included three-year limited warranty.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Multiple storage capacities available
- Good price
Cons
- No USB C – you'll need a separate adaptor
Price: $144.99 for 1TB capacity
Check out on Amazon
#4. LaCie Water Resistant Rugged 2TB SSD
For those who want ultimate protection on their external SSD for Mac, this rugged one can withstand the pressures of life! It can survive a 3-meter drop and a two-ton car crash. Moreover, it is IP67-rated dust water-resistant.
You can take advantage of a one-month complimentary membership to Adobe creative cloud apps when you get this drive. Further, it comes with a 5-year limited protection plan so you can have long-term peace of mind about it's functionality.
Pros
- Drop protection
- Multiple storage capacities available
- 5-year protection plan for data recovery
Cons
- Slightly pricey
Mac powder studio fix nc35. Price: $451.99 for 2TB capacity
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#5. Crucial 1TB X8 Portable SSD
Incredible performance with read speeds of up to 1050 MB/s makes this one of the best SSDs for Mac. It has a durable design featuring an aluminum core. It offers drop protection for up to 7. 5 feet, and can also withstand extreme temperature. It's shock and vibration proof so you can carry it around in your bag with ease.
Finally, you can rest assured about quality because this SSD is backed by Micron, one of the well-known storage tech manufacturers in the world. It also includes a 3-year limited warranty.
Pros
- Withstands extreme temperatures
- High-speed
- Sleek design
Cons
- Only available in 2 capacities
Price: $164.95 for 1TB capacity
Check out on Amazon
#6. WD 2TB My Passport Go SSD Cobalt
Check out this pocket-sized SSD for Mac and Windows computers. It's convenient to carry and is also capable of surviving drops up to 2 meters. The protective bumper acts as a cushion and absorbs shocks and bumps.
It offers a transfer rate of 400MB/s which is pretty decent. Further, it comes with a 3-year warranty and you can get it in 2 cool color options namely cobalt blue and amber. All in all, it's an excellent everyday choice for your storage needs.
Pros
- Protective bumper
- Good price
- Color options
Cons
- Transfer rate on slower side
Price: $329.99 for 2TB capacity
Check out on Amazon
#7. Samsung T5 2TB Portable SSD
For the stylish and modern professional, this is one of the best SSDs for your Mac! With a USB 3.1 interface, the T5 provides transfer speeds of up to 540 MB/s depending on your system. So transfers and backups of large-sized data including 4K videos and high-resolution photos will be much quicker and faster.
Furthermore, the impressive performance comes in a compact package that's easy to carry with you. Perhaps the best part is the classy color options such as blue, gold, and red.
Pros
- Good speed
- Value for money
- Color options
Cons
- Looks a bit delicate and may not have drop protection
Price: $319.85 for 2TB capacity
Check out on Amazon
#8. Sabrent Rocket Nano 512GB USB 3.2 SSD
Best External Ssd For Mac
For ultimate portability, check out this ultra-slim SSD. It's sleek and durable – an ideal travel companion whether for work or leisure. Easily transfer your media with the smooth plug-and-play technology.
It provides speeds of up to 1000MB/s, depending on your system configurations. Further, you can get it in 3 convenient storage capacities of 512 GB, 1 TB, and 2TB. You can also choose either black or silver color options.
Pros
- Slim and compact
- Good price
- Color options
Cons
- No drop protection
Price: $299.99 for 2TB capacity
Check out on Amazon Backup mac pro.
#9. G-Technology 2TB G-DRIVE mobile SSD
Carry your data worry-free on this shock and vibration resistant SSD for Mac. The durable design comes with iP67 dust and water resistance.
The USB C connectivity offers transfer rates of up to 560MB/s. Further, you can buy with confidence given the industry-leading 5-year limited manufacturer's warranty.
Pros
- Dust and water-resistant
- Shock-proof
- 5-year warranty
Cons
- Bulky
Price: $329.95 for 2TB capacity
Check out on Amazon
#10. Seagate Barracuda Fast 500GB SSD
With reliable performance and a speed of up to 540MB/s, you can enjoy smooth data transfer on this external SSD for Mac. It features a minimalist design and green LED accent light.
It's a perfect solution for carrying media on the go or even for external Xbox or PlayStation storage. It offers seamless installation and loading. Moreover, you get a limited product protection plan too.
Pros
- Minimalist design
- LED light indicator
- Reliable performance
Cons
- No drop protection
Price: $109.99 for 500 GB capacity
Check out on Amazon
Summing Up!
Well, as you can see, there's a wide variety of external SSDs for Mac. Most come with warranties so are a valuable accessory to get. Let us know in the comments below which one you prefer and why.
I have been writing about tech for over 10 years now. I am passionate about helping people solve their tech problems with easy and practical solutions. At iGeeksBlog, I write and edit how-to guides and accessory reviews for all things Apple. My work has previously appeared in Live IT and Woman's Era magazines. When not working, I love reading and traveling.
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