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MIFKAP
Inspiring
September 23, 2019
Answered

EXTERNAL DRIVE FOR MBPRO AND IMAC

  • September 23, 2019
  • 2 replies
  • 531 views

Hi.

Im looking for a recommendation.  I have a 2011 IMAC and just purchased a new MBPRO.  I'm looking to use both machines for editing using Lightroom Classic and Photoshop.  Any recommendations on an external ~2TB Solid State drive?

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer JP Hess

    I'm a Windows user, so I can't really make any recommendations. However, if you're considering solid-state for speed purposes, forget it. Having a SSD will not provide any increase in speed for accessing your images. It would if the SSD was the primary internal hard drive where the catalog was stored. But as an external drive containing your images you won't find any benefit at all from spending the extra money for the SSD.

    2 replies

    Geoff the kiwi
    Community Expert
    Geoff the kiwiCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    September 24, 2019

    Now here’s my view and experience..

    Having two MBP’s the easiest option for me is to have the catalog (presets stored with catalog) on a fast external drive and the images on a separate external which doesn’t need to be so fast.

    With this you can plug into any Mac with Lightroom and away you go.

    Having the catalog on the fast drive as access is constant and through a single pipeline as the images are using a different access...

     

    JP Hess
    JP HessCorrect answer
    Inspiring
    September 23, 2019

    I'm a Windows user, so I can't really make any recommendations. However, if you're considering solid-state for speed purposes, forget it. Having a SSD will not provide any increase in speed for accessing your images. It would if the SSD was the primary internal hard drive where the catalog was stored. But as an external drive containing your images you won't find any benefit at all from spending the extra money for the SSD.

    M
    MIFKAPAuthor
    Inspiring
    September 24, 2019
    Thanks Jim, that’s really good guidance. That is why I was considering solid state drives. Your info has me reconsidering and looking at a traditional drive now.
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