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I would like to install an external ssd drive to improve speed for my 2014 iMac. Will I be able to transfer my current data, using Time Machine to this new external boot drive? Yes, I am currently using an external drive for backup using Time Machine.
iMac 21.5″, macOS 10.15
In well over 20 years of using a Mac I have used OWC products. To date I have NEVER experienced a failure. I have some enclosures I still use that are over 15 years old. OWC specializes in Macs and everything they sell is well tested and guaranteed to work with your system. In addition they have excellent pre and post sales support and their prices are very competitive.
Samsung does not specialize in Macs, however they do have low prices.
In well over 20 years of using a Mac I have used OWC products. To date I have NEVER experienced a failure. I have some enclosures I still use that are over 15 years old. OWC specializes in Macs and everything they sell is well tested and guaranteed to work with your system. In addition they have excellent pre and post sales support and their prices are very competitive.
Samsung does not specialize in Macs, however they do have low prices.
I recommend the: https://www.apple.com/shop/product/HLRB2VC/A/g-technology-1tb-g-drive-mobile-ssd-r-series-storage?fnode=c706a96b9e64d4d3b9921fa44124ef6f1db714399c3da30f86e1c6d292225518213aa60a903f56c8c355e7e5b138f6fb9d43b5749c1f85c98071834affbf5293b5e594ac646861eca3ab5984392cb1c1c3d291e08d6f9326423b79627c5846c0. It comes in 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB sizes. And Apple sells it, so they trust the product.
You will also need this cable if you choose that drive: https://www.bestbuy.com/site/belkin-3-usb-3-1-type-a-to-usb-type-c-cable-works-with-chromebook-black/9511001.p?skuId=9511001.
Yes, it is absolutely possible. If you are running Catalina or earlier you can use a cloning app such as SuperDuper! or Carbon Copy Cloner to clone your internal HD to the new SSD. Then boot from the SSD and set it as your startup drive and you are done. If you run Big Sur then you can boot from your Recovery Partition on the HD and the install Mac OS on the new SSD and then restore your Time Machine backup to the SSD.
Thanks. I am running Catalina currently (10.15.7). I will look into SuperDuper! or Carbon Copy Cloner. Can you recommend any videos that review this process? I am looking to purchase a Samsung T7 SSD for this project. Good choice? Another recommendation?
You can find many tutorials on Youtube. The SSD I'd recommend is:
https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/firewire/on-the-go and a https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/MOTGPWR/
Personally I am not a fan of Samsung SSDs for Macs as they seem to have a high failure rate.
Thanks rkaufmann87,
Why the OWC Mercury over the Samsung T7? Is it the bus powered design?
I like that you can purchase a power adapter for the unit.
Thanks. The extra dollars for the OWC sound well worth it.
Your welcome and please buy the power supply, you will need it to use the external SSD as a startup drive.
Setup of External SSD Drive as a Boot Drive (2014 iMac)
