External HDD as primary storage

[FritzDaCat]

Hey all!

For my next iMac, I'm thinking of going with the 512GB SSD instead of a Fusion Drive. I would use the internal SSD for all system requirements and applications. Then, I would buy an external USB 3.0 HDD for all file storage.

Is this option fairly easy to set up and use on a daily basis? Anything I need to know or watch out for? Any other comments?

Thx!

 

[Raz0rEdge]

You'd have to consciously save files to the external drive, but beyond that this should work.

 

[FritzDaCat]

You'd have to consciously save files to the external drive, but beyond that this should work.

Thank you!

So, referring to the major categories in pic attached...
System (~97GB) would stay on internal storage. And I assume that number includes Applications.
iTunes would stay (automatically saves to internal storage?)
Photos would stay (automatically saves to internal storage?)
iOS, Mail, Messages & Music Creation would stay.

And I would simply save all "Documents" to external HDD.

Does that sound right?

 

[Raz0rEdge]

The Documents there points to your local folder "/Users/<username>/Documents". If you were to create a version of this on the External drive, it would be "/Volumes/<drive name>/Documents" and you can drag that to the Finder sidebar for convenience. Also when you are saving files, you'd want to specific choose the external drive, CMD+shift+g to select the external folder to save/load files.

Another "trick" that you might be able to use if the external drive will always be plugged in is to create a symbolic link between the local Documents folder and the folder on the external drive. You could just as easily create similar links for iTunes ("/Users/<username>/iTunes") as well so that it remains on the external folder.

I'd probably start with the manual approach first to see how you fare before adding the symbolic links into the equation which could potentially give you grief if the external drive isn't available for some reason.

 

[pigoo3]

Was going to mention something similar to Ashwin (manual approach). Users have been using external hard drives as "data drives" for a very long time. Many power users of days gone by could generate far more "data" than a large internal "spinner" HD could hold...so multiple external data drives were used.

Same approach works now with internal SSD's (especially since they typically have smaller capacities).

- Nick

 

[FritzDaCat]

Thank you, Nick & Ashwin!

Fred

 

[chscag]

Hey Fred......

Don't be a stranger. Long time no see.

 

[FritzDaCat]

Hey Fred......

Don't be a stranger. Long time no see.

I know! I'd forgotten how much good stuff is here :Blushing:

 

[MacInWin]

One other thing to be aware of is that some poorly designed applications EXPECT the path to the data to be on the internal drive, not on an external one, so they don't work well with external data drives at all. Calibre is one example that I know of that is in that category. So when I tried the external data drive, I had to keep the internal folders in place so that Calibre would run properly. And it refused to accept any other location for the data it stored.

 

[FritzDaCat]

Thanks, Jake—

That’s exactly the kind of thing that I worry about. Hopefully that type of scenario is fairly isolated. Definitely good to know.

 

[MacInWin]

Well, don't panic about it. Just leave a /Users/you/Documents folder on the boot drive and anything that expects it will find it. Might also leave /Users/you/Applications, and in fact the whole default set of folders there, too. Doesn't take much space, could save a bit of hassle later on.

 

[FritzDaCat]

Thanks, Jake!

 

[albireo13]

I think this is a great idea for storing work files and data. Things like videos, music, and photo files will chew up a lot of storage
and there really isn't any need to have them on your primary boot drive.

 

[ferrarr]

I think this is a great idea for storing work files and data. Things like videos, music, and photo files will chew up a lot of storage
and there really isn't any need to have them on your primary boot drive.

Just be sure to have a backup copy of all important data.

 

[FritzDaCat]

Just be sure to have a backup copy of all important data.

Definitely... always. Thanks!

 

[D'artagnan]

Etiquette seems to favor searching for existing threads on a subject instead of starting a new one. Fritz, I hope you don't mind me tagging onto the bottom of your thread.

I am also looking to move my data to an external drive, especially pictures and iTunes files. I am wondering what downside is of just putting the entire home folder on the external drive ("/Volumes/drivename/<username>").

Thanks,
Jeff

 

[pm-r]

I am also looking to move my data to an external drive, especially pictures and iTunes files. I am wondering what downside is of just putting the entire home folder on the external drive ("/Volumes/drivename/<username>").

My first question would be WHY and followed by what are your reasons for doing so???

And just to add a note: Any external drive/bus/connection will usually be slower than an internal one.






- Patrick
======

 

[IWT]

@D'artagnan

If you feel you must move your Home Folder to an External Hard Drive (EHD), here are a couple of articles outlining why you might want to do this - and how to do this.

Read these very carefully; especially the need to have a solid Backup (BU) in place before you start - a Cloned BU is preferable.

Also note that the initial process actually COPIES your Home Folder to the EHD, which you must test on the EHD before you then DELETE your Mac's Home Folder.

https://www.lifewire.com/move-macs-home-folder-new-location-2260157
https://computers.tutsplus.com/tuto...-folder-to-another-drive-or-volume--mac-48822

Ian