OVERPRICED Apple storage FIX!👉 ULTIMATE Mac External Storage GUIDE 2024

The problem with more than 1 SSD enclosures/NAS is that they don't give all 4 PCIe lanes to each M.2 SSD. For example, this QNAP TBS-h574TX provides PCIe Gen3 x2 for each SSD slot. It means that any single SSD speed in the best-case scenario could be around 750 MB/s x 2. But in real life it will be around 1000 MB/s — basically operational speed of the 10 Gigabit Ethernet Port or 10Gb USB-C. And there is no reason to use RAID to increase speed since limitation is not in SSD or PCIe but in the Ethernet Port. So, it's enough to buy old PCIe 3 SSD. All PCIe 4 SSD cards are overkill.

I have a 2023 M2 Mac Mini 16 GB Ram, 256GB SSD. I went with a WD SN770 1 TB and a Acasis TBU401. Fast! REAL FAST!...But Hot, REAL HOT! I tried adding Heatsinks, just too darn hot. Being an Old timey Field Engineer working on Computers when Dinosaurs walked the earth, I understand well how heat can rob electronic equipment of life and data. I ended up ditching the Acasis and going with a Qwiizlab hub. It took the WD SN770 with no data loss, plus gave me additional USB Ports that I found out I really needed for MIDI Controllers, Cameras, and other peripherals. It's slower, cooling running, but way faster than the storage in internal storage in my old 2012 Mac Mini. I'm happy.

This is exactly what I was looking for! This might be a useful series of videos as prices change and new products come out.

Outstanding video! If you haven't already done it, could you make a video showing how to make an external SSD my boot disk? And I mean everything. The operating system, applications, all folders and files, the whole kit and caboodle. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Thanks Lauri.

is the mac internal ssd at least better in qd1 or IOs ?

Nice Video,..new subs from Bali

This is a master class!

Fantastic breakdown of all the options. All straight to the point with no confusing info. Thank you. Subbed.

I have the ACASIS TBU 401 Pro (40gbps) which was an upgrade from my SABRENT EC-SNVE (10gbps), moved from PCI Gen 3x4 to Gen 4... and 2TB.. way faster in benchmarks (800mbps -> 2800mbps), but honestly I don't notice any speed difference, in any day to day things, from 4k video editing to large projects for programming. Another item to point out, fill up that drive then benchmark, those write speeds tank even with only 1/2 filled up. I was sometimes getting write speeds of 100mbps when having 900GB of 1000GB.

The acasis thunderbolt nvme external enclosure is the best balance between price and performance - it consistently delivers 2800 megabytes/second in both read and write, when used with the included, or an actual thunderbolt 4 cable… the cable makes a huge difference!

Apple prices are stupidly offensive

You could show how to relocate the user’s home folder to the external. Also might be useful to show what happens if you try to boot without the external connected and the home folder missing.

Great info! I added a 1TB Samsung SATA III 6 Gb/s SSD with a USB 3.0 enclosure back in 2019 when I bought my M1 Mac Mini. I only use it for storing music files so speed is not important. After 5 years it still works perfectly and I avoided the outrageous Apple memory tax.

Tech Notice Out Here COOKING With the contents🔥💯...

Wow!!! I am a windows user but this info is super valuable since i have old HDD drives laying around that i can reuse! Thank u so much!

Question regarding format, does exFAT support SSD TRIM?

Hi Lauri, thanks for the video. How about the Satechi M.2 Enclosure 40Gbps. Do you know if it is any good and how does that one compare to the ones you mentioned on L3? Thanks!

Wonder which SSD or HDD brand/manufacturer has better aftersales support

Will I be able to have steam and all of my steam games onto it and will it work properly?