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I'm getting the new M4 Mac mini. I'm wanting to get a new external SSD. I'm seeing a lot of USB-C compatible SSDs but not Thunderbolt 4. I know the USB-C and Thunderbolt 4 ports are identical, but will the transmission rates be the same? Would I have to get a TB4 specific cord to use and take advantage of the higher transfer rates?
Mac mini
Please, please note that USB-C is ONLY a connector specification and can be used for anything: USB protocol from USB2 on up, Thunderbolt protocol, Display connection, charging for just about anything, connecting lights to power banks, etc.
With that said, what drive you get high depends on its purpose. Unless you are using it for editing video files that reside on it or anything real time video, Thunderbolt or USB4 devices are what you want. Otherwise a drive based on any USB 3.x spec will suffice and be a lot less expensive. It will be able to stream music files, movies, TV shows without issue.
If you are only using it for backup, then even an SSD is a waste of money and a basic old hard drive will be more that enough.
Please, please note that USB-C is ONLY a connector specification and can be used for anything: USB protocol from USB2 on up, Thunderbolt protocol, Display connection, charging for just about anything, connecting lights to power banks, etc.
With that said, what drive you get high depends on its purpose. Unless you are using it for editing video files that reside on it or anything real time video, Thunderbolt or USB4 devices are what you want. Otherwise a drive based on any USB 3.x spec will suffice and be a lot less expensive. It will be able to stream music files, movies, TV shows without issue.
If you are only using it for backup, then even an SSD is a waste of money and a basic old hard drive will be more that enough.
USB & Thunderbolt transmission rates are often different. Even within one of those standards, speeds can be different.
Note that USB-C is a connector type, it is not USB, Thunderbolt or DisplayPort communication. It's just a common physical connector now used for multiple different communication protocols.
In the Mac Mini M4
The rear USB-C ports support
The front USB-C ports support
In the Mac Mini M4 Pro
The rear USB-C ports support
The front USB-C ports support
In all cases the speed is "up to," it is not guaranteed. It is dependent on the connected device(s), the cable and usage.
And, yes, you need the appropriate USB or Thunderbolt cable for whatever "flavor" you are using.
You do not need specific TB cable unless you plan on using external TB drives and need the speed. If you get the new Mini pro it has TB5 ports but until the new TB5 drives are made it will not matter. I have several TB drives all connected by TB4 or TB3 cables and all perform the same. If you are just using standard SSD drives then any USB type c cord that supports 3.2 or better will work just fine.
I second everything woodmeister50 has said and would advise you not to get too bothered about speeds.
The only time most people will notice drive speeds is when copying massive files (tens of GBs) when obviously a slower drive will take longer but how often do you do that?
For all other purposes you will never know that the drive is slower because it will have no impact on your work.
hcsitas wrote:
external SSDs are more marketing than engineering i.e. they are essentially fake SSDs.
What exactly do you mean by that?
An external SSD's performance will be limited by whatever interface connects it to your Mac but it's still an SSD.
I asked you to clarify what you meant because claiming that external SSDs are somehow "fake" is untrue and misleading to readers.
By your apparent logic, an external hard drive would also be "fake" since it wouldn't be internal.
That's all I have to say at this point.
There are several rough speed levels for external SSDs.
I haven't heard of any Thunderbolt 5 SSD enclosures – yet. Those might be useful for recent M.2 PCIe NVMe SSDs whose transfer rates potentially could be bottlenecked even by a Thunderbolt 3 or USB4 40 Gbps enclosure.
The absolute top speed of 120 Gbps on Thunderbolt 5 seems to be for blasting video to displays.
Intel (September 12, 2023) – Intel Introduces Thunderbolt 5 Connectivity Standard
The cable needs to be rated for the fastest speed you expect to attain with the connected device.
An Apple Thunderbolt 5 cable with USB-C connectors will support Thunderbolt 5 (up to 120Gbps), TB4, TB3 & USB4 (up to 80 Gbps) and USB3 (up to 10Gbps). (Note, however, that the Mac Mini M4 itself only supports UBS4 up to 40Gbps)
+1 and +1 @Woodmeister, and adding that external SSDs are more marketing than engineering i.e. they are essentially fake SSDs. The specs come with lots of fine print. For most purposes, regular USB does just fine with no fuss and more money in pocket (also lasts longer).
You also have to be careful with a drive with USB4 ports. Some USB4 controllers & ports will only operate using USB4 and not be backwards compatible with USB3.x. @MartinR already alluded to this for the rear ports on the on the Mini, but this can be the case on the drive as well. Make sure to product documentation for both the computer & the drive. If you need to use the external drive with another system, make sure the drive supports the data transfer protocols supported by your other computers & devices.
Do not assume the USB4 connection on any computer or device is backwards compatible with USB3.x.
Yes, the USB specification is a complete mess.
Debating external (fake) vs internal SSD (the real thing) is beyond the scope of this discussion and of no interest to me. If it works for you, great, enjoy!
No it’s not, if read in proper context which I have provided.
USB-C or Thunderbolt 4 SSD?
