External SSD

Jase

Jase

Messages
1,611
Edit My Images
No
I need a new External SSD for my M5 MacBook Pro.

It doesn't need to be portable as it's mainly used at a desk (I already have a small SSD for travel and temporary storage).

Prices of storage have gone through the roof but looking at min 2TB or a 4TB.

What is the best option for currently for performance and value?

I was thinking of getting an OWC Express 1M2 Thunderbolt 5 enclosure and a SSD to put in it but no idea what a good combo would be and if it would actually be any cheaper?

Also if I go the exclosure route are there any options for an enclosure that can take multiple SSD's so that if I got an SSD now I could add another later?

It's used mainly for Photos and Video.

Cheers :)
 
Last edited:
Jase said:
I need a new External SSD for my M5 MacBook Pro.

It doesn't need to be portable as it's mainly used at a desk (I already have a small SSD for travel and temporary storage).

Prices of storage have gone through the roof but looking at min 2TB or a 4TB.

What is the best option for currently for performance and value?

I was thinking of getting an OWC Express 1M2 Thunderbolt 5 enclosure and a SSD to put in it but no idea what a good combo would be and if it would actually be any cheaper?

Also if I go the exclosure route are there any options for an enclosure that can take multiple SSD's so that if I got an SSD now I could add another later?

It's used mainly for Photos and Video.

Cheers :)
Click to expand...
If you would like the option for multiple drives, you'll be wanting a DAS (Direct Attached Storage) a NAS (Network Attached Storage) would be another option.
You could start with a single drive and add more as you require.
The main difference between DAS and NAS these days is mostly that NAS for home use typically have a basic server function as well, you don't get true NAS devices until you get to commercial stuff.
 
I bought the ACASIS TB5 80Gbps enclosure along with 2TB Samsung 990Pro SSD bundle from Flexx Memory for my M4 MacBook Pro nearly a year ago and it's been faultless and I totally recommend it. I have the Sony A7R5 so big files and the combo flies through the photos using LR. I don't use any Video though.
 
If you can't put up with 40Gbs, the Terra-Master D4 SSD looks pretty good, slots for 4 NVMe .

 
Last edited:
Icybox 2 x M.2

ICY Box 2-Way M.2 SSD/NVMe Enclosure, USB 3.2 Gen 2 (20Gbps), Cooling System, Dual PCIe Gen 3x2 Support, USB-C, M-Key, External, NVMe Adapter, Aluminium, Black : Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

ICY Box 2-Way M.2 SSD/NVMe Enclosure, USB 3.2 Gen 2 (20Gbps), Cooling System, Dual PCIe Gen 3x2 Support, USB-C, M-Key, External, NVMe Adapter, Aluminium, Black : Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories
amzn.eu

They all seem crazy expensive really. Then you have to put drives in them.
 
Last edited:
Swanseajack said:
I bought the ACASIS TB5 80Gbps enclosure along with 2TB Samsung 990Pro SSD bundle from Flexx Memory for my M4 MacBook Pro nearly a year ago and it's been faultless and I totally recommend it. I have the Sony A7R5 so big files and the combo flies through the photos using LR. I don't use any Video though.
Click to expand...

That looks pretty decent, at the moment though Flexx have it with a 4TB SSD at £1049 which seems pretty expensive. How is the cooling on it, can you hear the fan?

Delphin said:
If you can't put up with 40Gbs, the Terra-Master D4 SSD looks pretty good, slots for 4 NVMe .
Click to expand...

I'd say that looks ideal, I'm really not sure how much I'd notice the difference between 40Gbs and 80. My guess is 40Gbs would be OK for photo's and that would have been considered quick a couple of years ago.
 
Last edited:
I am using Western Digital NVMe ssds in Acasis enclosures, they are fine but I bought them in 2023/24 before the prices became crazy. They are not very fast compared with modern standards but for photo processing they are more than fast enough. I bought the enclosures directly from Acasis, the prices were much cheaper than the UK even after taxes and delivery was fast.
 
I used the Terra Master D1 plus, single slot enclosure, I got it in November 2025, works perfectly on my iMac. (Really should have gone for the 4 bay) Terra Master are always doing some form of discount too.

Lucky I got my 2tb NVMe before the AI bubble screwed the prices, at around £110 not the very top speed but fast enough.

5774.jpg
 
Last edited:
Jase said:
That looks pretty decent, at the moment though Flexx have it with a 4TB SSD at £1049 which seems pretty expensive. How is the cooling on it, can you hear the fan?



I'd say that looks ideal, I'm really not sure how much I'd notice the difference between 40Gbs and 80. My guess is 40Gbs would be OK for photo's and that would have been considered quick a couple of years ago.
Click to expand...
I don't hear the fan at all on my enclosure .
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top