Hello,
My iMAC is a late 2015 running Monterey 12.7.5. OS.
I have experienced several problems mainly slow running and I have decided to install an External SSD (USB 3.1 interface) to improve performance.
Any procedures on how to do it.
How long does it take to copy the existing HDD ? Do I need to download Clone program ?
Thanks in advance
I suggest you use Carbon Copy Cloner to clone the current boot drive to the external SSD. There are two user tips that describe the process:
1 - Using Carbon Copy Cloner to Make a Bootable Clone of Intel Mac
If you haven't already gotten the external SSD I recommend you contact Customer Support at OWC (MacSales.com) and get their recommendation of the best match of their several offerings for your particular model and year iMac, work requirements and budget. OWC is considered the premier hardware supplier for Mac by most of the experienced contributors to these forums.
Jack-19 wrote an excellent user tip that covers the full process.
see > Use an external SSD as your startup disk … - Apple Community
I would use Carbon Copy Cloner seems to accomplish it, Legacy Mode...
http://www.bombich.com/software/ccc.html
Length of time will vary with how much Data you have, here' one example from a fast External TB3 SSD to a Slow External USB3.1 SSD...
Using CCC to make a bootable clone after macOS 11 Big Sur can be a problem.
https://bombich.com/en/kb/ccc/5/help-my-clone-wont-boot
https://bombich.com/en/kb/ccc/6/help-my-clone-wont-boot
Some suggest cloning and then reinstall the macOS over the the top of the CCC clone.
It takes a little longer, but it seems like installing the macOS on the external SSD and then Migrating from the internal drive is the best way to go.
External HD SSD
