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Recommendation for Using an External SSD to run iOS for a 2019 iMac

Hello.

I see in an excellent post by user "Jack" (?) that recommends two LaCie external drives to run iOS for a 2019 iMac: LaCie 1TB Rugged SSD Pro External Drive with Thunderbolt 3, and LaCie 1TB Mobile SSD Secure USB-C Drive. The "Rugged" is WAY more expensive than the other.

We do not run large programs on this iMac, but it is INCREDIBLY slow.

Does anyone have similar experience, or could recommend one over the other?

Thanks so much!

Posted on Sep 15, 2022 5:00 PM

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24 replies

OffLeash Author

Level 1

11 points

Oct 8, 2022 4:48 PM in response to Jack-19

Ok, I went ahead to purchase the LaCie 1TB Mobile SSD Secure USB-C Drive. Just seemed the most appropriate for my use, and the device's history with current OS. Thank you again for the tips and advice! Off to migration-land!.....

OffLeash Author

Level 1

11 points

Oct 25, 2022 9:03 AM in response to Jack-19

Hello...again!

Since this thread, I've purchased the LaCie and erased it. I also installed Ventura on the desktop iMac 2019 21". But I can't figure out how to target the Ventura download onto the LaCie. The new System Preferences window is different than Monterey, and I'm not recognizing how to switch from the iMac disc to the LaCie. Do you have any suggestions?! Thanks a lot.....Paul

OffLeash Author

Level 1

11 points

Oct 25, 2022 9:16 AM in response to Jack-19

No, that's what I was attempting to do. Install Ventura on the LaCie. When I click on Startup Disc, the LaCie doesn't appear. So, I tried to click through the prompts to download the Ventura software, and it is downloading....but "appears" to be downloading on the iMac.....which is strange, because I already downloaded Ventura on the iMac. I click on the LaCie (now Macintosh HD) in the Finder, and no activity appears to be occurring.

OffLeash Author

Level 1

11 points

Oct 30, 2022 9:24 AM in response to Jack-19

Hello.....

I installed Ventura on the iMac, then went to download Ventura again, hoping to see the LaCie show up in System Settings StartUpDisc, but it does not show up. Where do I find the "installer" in order to open it up and select the LaCie?

Thanks again for paying attention to this thread!

OffLeash Author

Level 1

11 points

Oct 30, 2022 11:22 AM in response to Jack-19

Ok, I think I'm finally underway. My info is transferring from a backup onto the Lacie, and then I'll configure Time Machine to continue backing up to the other external drive we've been using. So, essentially, what I'm doing here is turning my 2019 iMac into a monitor....is that right?! Thanks again.

Jack-19

Level 8

46,374 points

Oct 30, 2022 1:17 PM in response to OffLeash

OffLeash wrote:

Ok, I think I'm finally underway. My info is transferring from a backup onto the Lacie, and then I'll configure Time Machine to continue backing up to the other external drive we've been using. So, essentially, what I'm doing here is turning my 2019 iMac into a monitor....is that right?! Thanks again.

Remind me, are you using a separate external disk for your backup and currently migrating a copy of it to LaCie SSD, or are you using the NEW LaCie SSD as your backup AND startup disk?

OffLeash Author

Level 1

11 points

Oct 30, 2022 1:50 PM in response to Jack-19

Hi....I'm currently migrating a backup from a separate external disc to the LaCie (its almost finished), and I was going to continue to use that separate external for Time Machine while using the LaCie as the new startup. Would you have a different reccommendation?

OffLeash Author

Level 1

11 points

Oct 8, 2022 12:40 PM in response to rkaufmann87

Brilliant - thank you!

And for OS updates, I just follow the update prompts as usual, correct?

rkaufmann87

Level 10

149,158 points

Oct 8, 2022 12:55 PM in response to OffLeash

Yup.

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Recommendation for Using an External SSD to run iOS for a 2019 iMac