Recommended Bootable SSD for 2017 i-Mac, 4k

Jack,

Thank you! Yes the LaCie USB 1TB Mobile SSD looks like the way to go.

I have read your article on upgrading to an external SSD and it has been very informative for me!

Since my 2017 i-Mac is Very, very slow with too much old S/W on it (ETRE Report attached) I think I need to do a clean install. I presume the options to do that are clearly presented when I install the latest Monterey S/W on the SSD. Then I would migrate manually only the apps and, data I now need.

Here are a few concerns, questions I have:

1. Should I upgrade to the latest Monterey OS now before upgrading to the external bootable SSD? I'm not sure although I've heard that some SSD's have problems loading Monterey. I have plenty of storage (500gb) so I'm not too concerned about running out of space. Going to the latest Monterey before would mean my HDD disk would be updated before going to the SSD which would be good for backup ops.
2. Before your post I was seriously looking at the T7 Samsung 1 TB SSD but see some have had problems loading Monterey with it. It has a price advantage vs LaCie ($109 vs $150) but quality is important to me. I understand you have an excellent experience using LaCie SSD's.
3. Of course I have Time Machine backup's. Will they be compatible if I go to the latest Monterey?

Thanks Again,

Bill

Jack,

Thanks for the advise.

I'm not sure what happens to the e-mail "Saved on my i-Mac" with a clean install. Do I obtain those e-mails by migrating my Mail app with Migration Assistant after the clean install?

I was able to upgrade to Monterey 12.6 last night with no problems. Will finalize disk selection next week, check prices during Prime day.

The La Cie's 1 TB, SSD's I have found at Best Buy, Amazon are a slightly different model (USB 3.2/Gen 3.2) than the one in the Apple Store and a bit cheaper ($139 vs $219). I gather from the user reviews they will work just as well. The Envo Pro Elektro looks attractive too.

Will keep you updated on progress,

Thanks Again,

Bill

Thanks Jack!

Yes that is the solution in case those e-mails are not installed when I do a clean install. I checked that approach out by dragging a few "On My Mac" e-mail folders to a folder I set up for "Mobile access" within my i-Cloud Mac Mail. It worked fine. After I do the clean install I can move them back to the "On My Mac" folder within the Mail app.

FYI I looked around my Time Machine files and could not find any location where those e-mails might be backed up, no "Mail" app found in any folder's. I wonder how/where they are really stored?????

Thanks ----> Bill

P.S. Next step next week: Purchase LaCie SSD (1TB External USB-C, USB 3.2 Gen 2 Portable SSD with Rescue Data Recovery Services) and install as bootable SSD. I do need to review its specs/reviews with the one in your article just to make sure it will do the job. I aslo need a new TM second BU, would another LaCie be overkill. I have been using WD HDD My Passport 1TB drives for 5 years with no problems. One is about to run out of space.

I received the LaCie USB 1TB Mobile SSD in the mail yesterday. I had hoped the USB 3.2/gen 2 USB cable provided would connect to my mid 2017 i-Mac but it is not compatible to either the Thunderebolt port or the USB ports. I see Best Buy has a Belkin - 3' USB 3.1 Type A-to-USB Type C Cable, 3 feet long. Would that be suffiecient for connecting to my USB ports.????

Disregard my last reply Jack. I am connected ok now. I was not forceful enough on the mate to Thunderbolt. incidently I found the same La Cie 1 TB SSD drive that Apple sells for $219. On Amazon for $149. Am proceeding with installation now.

Bill

Hi Jack, Everyone,

SUCCESS !!! I was able to install Monterey 12.6 on the bootable external hard drive (La Cie 1TB, Mobile) ok as a clean install. I logged in with my Apple ID, PW and saw all the Apple Apps in Montrey came up ok with past data (Mail, Calendar, Contacts Messages, etc)

Jack- Your recommendation to on how to move "On My Mac files" worked great as they were present in the Mail app in my "Mail Mobile files". There were no files as we anticipated from the original "on My Mac" files so that was a great decision..

I did the clean istall by stopping after Monterey was installed and did not proceed with the "Migration Assistant". There was no way to back out so I called Apple and they had me shut down the computer and restart with Option key held down so I could restart on the External drive. From that point on I have been mainly dragging and dropping files from TM external disks to the new Monterey install on the new External drive.

I have not setup TM on the new external drive yet, will wait until everything is moved over. I did try to set it up but it could not let me do it. Maybe because it was still set up on he internal disk.... need to deactivate the 2 external drives running.

Anyway thanks to Everyone for helping me. It is an extended process and takes some time to get things set up again.

Bill S.

Thank You!

Your response answers another question about the cable/connector needed.

I see that the cable provided will work with my 2017 i-Mac with Thunderbolt 2 ports

Bill S.