External Samsung SSD USB 3.0 with Catalina on an iMac late 2013.

Question

External Samsung SSD USB 3.0 with Catalina on an iMac late 2013.

A friend of mine has an iMac late 2013. It has USB 3.0 ports, a 1TB hard drive and runs Catalina. Is it possible to boot and work well from an external SSD? She considers to buy one, but only when there are no problems. I guess this iMac doesn't have Thunderbold 3 ports, so she has to boot from the USB 3.0 port. I have read on MacRumors that a member has problems with booting from his external ssd in this case.

iMac Line (2012 and Later)

Posted on Jan 15, 2021 10:19 PM

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Answer 1

dialabrain

Level 10

135,833 points

Jan 15, 2021 10:26 PM in response to Mac_Hammer_Fan

Shouldn't be a problem. I have a 2TB portable SanDisk SSD drive with Big Sur installed I boot a 2015 27" iMac with using the USB 3.0 port.

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Answer 2

dialabrain

Level 10

135,833 points

Jan 15, 2021 11:41 PM in response to Mac_Hammer_Fan

I see. Well, the SanDisk is plugged into its own USB port but I also have a 7 port USB hub plugged in with 3 other drives and a USB keyboard and mouse without a problem. I can't comment on the MacRumors person.

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