Running OS X off an external SSD in a USB enclosure

[MadMonocle]

Hi,


I have a 2013 iMac that I use at work. I want to upgrade the internal HDD to an SSD. I have the SSD, but IT won't let me teardown the Mac and void the warranty, so my only option is to get either a Thunderbolt or USB enclosure.


Thunderbolt enclosures are rare or expensive, so I'm wondering if a USB enclosure would cut it for running the OS. Would it be stable, am I gonna deal with disconnects and dropouts? Will the overall "snappy-ness" of the SSD translate over USB. I'm not to concerned with max transfer rates, just not having to wait a hundred years for programs to open, close and windows to open.


Or should I spring for the Thunderbolt enclosure? Thanks for any suggestions.


-Neil

 

[potemkin]

USB 3 runs at 5 gb/sec... sata iii runs at 6gb/sec... theoretical limits
speed of ssd is limited by usb to less than internal so why would you do this..

Thunderbolt would do the trick but $$$$...

 

[Guard3]

Everything should be good, as long as the external drive is in a stable place
For example, I use an external drive for running Yosemite on my Vaio (so it must have the same stability on a Mac)
So yeah, the only thing you consider is speed, but there's not a big difference, as long as you use USB 3.0

Guard3