I just bought a Samsung 870QVO SSD on the advice of a friend. However, when I looked at the Samsung website regarding this device it showed only Windows compatibility. Will this device work with my brand new iMac 27" 2020 machine? Thanks in advance.
iMac 27″, macOS 10.13
You will need to reformat it.
https://www.sweetwater.com/sweetcare/articles/how-to-format-external-hard-drives-on-macos/
What are your plans for that external SSD?
(Time Machine backups, Clone backups, Boot Disk, etc..)
You will need to reformat it.
https://www.sweetwater.com/sweetcare/articles/how-to-format-external-hard-drives-on-macos/
What are your plans for that external SSD?
(Time Machine backups, Clone backups, Boot Disk, etc..)
Older Samsung drives had issues with Macs, but haven't heard anything much with Samsung's recent offerings. If you have the drive, and an enclosure for it, and you can plug it into your Mac, then go right ahead and format it via Disk Utility. The worst that will happen is you'll get an error message. I think you'll be okay. Samsungs have to conform to the SATA interface specs just like every other manufacturer so you should be good.
I would recommend returning the Samsung and using the following:
https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/owc-envoy-pro-ex-thunderbolt-3
Macsales.com (OWC) specializes in Macs (unlike Samsung!) and compatibility is guaranteed on your 2020 27" iMac. OWC also provides extremely high quality products as well as providing excellent support. If you want the best performance possible then this is the solution recommended. As you did not indicate how you intend to use the SSD it is possible Macsales.com may have another solution that better suits your needs. Also, I think you find most experienced users on these forums will agree with my assessment.
If you live outside the USA, please advise and we can direct you to OWC's International Distributor page so you don't have to pay international shipping.
You're welcome. Just use Disk Utility on your Mac to format your drive. Select the drive on the left side of the panel, and select "erase" on the top/right-side of the window. Select "APFS" for the format type.
No need to use any 3rd-party programs.
I have 6 different Samsung SSD's that I have used with my 2019 27" iMac running Mojave and Big Sur without any issues. I have not tested the 870 series but I would not expect any issues. The only issue I have had with OWC products is that if you have an issue and return the item they charge(or use to) a restocking fee. Buy from a place like Amazon and no issue on returns.
Samsung SSD's are nice drives.
Look here for an enclosure
https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/MOTGS3U3/
Look here for the external power supply
https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/MOTGPWR/
Check the interface carefully, not sure if you have USB 3.0 or USB C...
Adapters are on Apple
This enclosure is SATA III drive interface...
It would make a decent redundant clone backup drive using CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper.
It is much more expensive as it is the fastest possible, check it's speeds compared to the Samsung. What is critical is how you intend to use it. If you are looking for a just additional storage then I agree the initial recommendation is overkill. In that case I would recommend :
https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/firewire/on-the-go and a https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/MOTGPWR/ which is much more economical and is simple to use and get going, just plug it in and begin using it.
No. If you have your Samsung SSD in an external enclosure with a USB cable, or you have a direct SATA->USB cable, you can plug it into your Mac directly without having to turn on your machine.
When you're ready to disconnect your SSD, make you sure properly eject the drive before you unplug it. You can do that by right-clicking the drive on your desktop and selecting "eject", or open a finder window and click the eject icon to the right of the SSD name.
Doing it a few times and it'll be natural. Good luck.
thanks for the advice. Since the OWC device is $200 ! more than I paid for the Samsung I think I'll keep what I have and talk with a local Mac service guy and ask him if I can use the Samsung on my Mac. There is, by the way, a You Tube guy, Jerry Schultz, who did a video on additions to a new 2020 Mac and the Samsung is what he recommended.
Thank you again for your prompt reply and advice.
I already have an external drive for Time Machine. The other two I have no idea about. I am far from being totally smart re computers. I've heard the term boot disc but not a clue how or why. I will use the Samsung for additional space. After two responses to my query I am thinking maybe I don't even need it.
Thanks for your advice and help.
I am sad to say I haven't a clue what you mean. I do know what a backup drive is but aren't the words redundant and clone the same thing? And I already have an external hard drive using Time Machine. Why would I need another backup drive? Hey, I'm 80 years old and just love computers and wish I had the time left to learn all about them. Thanks again.
The reason redundant backups are useful is backup drives fail, don't laugh I have had it happen. What many experienced users do (based on their degree of paranoia) is use Time Machine on 1 EHD and then use a cloning app (SuperDuper! or Carbon Copy Cloner) to back up the internal drive to a second EHD. The is helpful in the event one of the backup EHDs fail, then you are still backing up and your data is preserved. Years ago, I only had 1 backup, I lost thousands of photos when my internal drive failed and coincidentally my only backup failed too. So I started doing redundant backups. The analogy I like to use is, "Would you trust your bank with all your money if you knew they only had 1 backup of your accounts?"
Thank you again for your sage advice. I am trying to stay away from hard drives and that's why I opted for an SSD for extra storage. I am going to stick with the Samsung because it is less expensive and at this point I would not be able to return it because I have discarded all the packaging material. Cheers
Samsung SSD
