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                 How to Choose a Fast External SSD for Your Mac

   Adam Engst

   At The Eclectic Light Company, [1]Howard Oakley writes:

     By now, we should all be thoroughly confused with USB 3.1 Gen 2, 3.2
     Gen 2Ã2, USB4, Thunderbolt 3 and 4. The fact that they can all be
     connected using a Thunderbolt 4 cable to a USB-C port on your Mac is
     of absolutely no help either. Given the[2]lack of supportfor USB 3.x
     SSDs at speeds more than about 1 GB/s, today's quest is for
     something faster, with proper[3]Trim and SMART health indicator
     support.

   I currently rely on inexpensive external SSDs for Time Machine and
   Super Duper backups because they're silent, and I'm willing to trade a
   lower price for more-than-adequate performance. But those in the market
   for the fastest available external storage should read Howard Oakley's
   explanation of the technologies in play and recommendation of SSDs that
   connect using Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, or USB4.

   [4]Read original article

References

   1. https://eclecticlight.co/2024/02/20/shopping-for-a-faster-external-ssd/
   2. https://eclecticlight.co/2024/02/11/last-week-on-my-mac-back-to-usb-basics/
   3. https://eclecticlight.co/2023/04/14/will-your-new-ssd-support-trim-and-smart/
   4. https://eclecticlight.co/2024/02/20/shopping-for-a-faster-external-ssd/

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