External SSD for Macbook Pro

External SSD for Macbook Pro

by Niel Ferreira

on Jul 7, 2015 at 12:07:58 pm

Hi

Just looking for some quick advice.
I recently moved from a Mac Pro desktop to a Macbook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2014). I also moved from FCP to FCP X at the same time.

At first I used a slow (5400RPM) external HDD. Editing was painfull!

I was considering a Raid0 SSD external setup as a scratch disk and then also include a HDD evening back-up option of some sort.

Has anybody a similar or near similar setup?
I'm also thinking RAID0 might perhaps be an over kill?

Any different recommendation ?
For starters I'd have about $500 to spend on this.

Kind regard
Niel

Re: External SSD for Macbook Pro

by Tim Jones

on Jul 7, 2015 at 7:27:48 pm

Hi Niel,

On that type of a budget, we use a combination of the "Cable-Matters" USB-3 desktop dock and the SamSung 512GB EVO Pro 850 drives. You'll get around 340MB/sec from a single drive:

Plus, using the desktop dock, it's easy to change disks for different shoots or go to bigger disks as budgets permit.

http://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters®-SuperSpeed-Docking-Station/dp/B0099TX...

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-256GB-2-5-Inch-Internal-MZ-7KE256BW/dp/B00LMX...

Tim
--
Tim Jones
CTO - TOLIS Group, Inc.
http://www.tolisgroup.com
BRU ... because it's the RESTORE that matters!

Re: External SSD for Macbook Pro

by Niel Ferreira

on Jul 8, 2015 at 2:06:28 am

Thanks so much for your reply Tim.

I like the sound of the desktop dock station :)

Best,
Niel

Re: External SSD for Macbook Pro

by Tim Jones

on Jul 8, 2015 at 3:53:49 am

Glad to help, Niel!

The great part is the combination of cost and flexibility. We use these on most of our systems - including Windows and Linux as well as OS X - and we have had great success both from a stability point and a performance point.

We also tend to combine them with this HighPoint Thunderbolt add-on for the Mac Pros (4 ports is just too few for real environments):

http://www.highpoint-tech.com/USA_new/series_rs6324u_overview.htm

Because the USB-3 ports on the 6324 are dedicated and not shared as with other USB hubs, you get the full rated 5GbS bandwidth on all 4 ports.

Tim
--
Tim Jones
CTO - TOLIS Group, Inc.
http://www.tolisgroup.com
BRU ... because it's the RESTORE that matters!

Re: External SSD for Macbook Pro

by Niel Ferreira

on Jul 8, 2015 at 9:36:13 am

Oh my word... I'm getting one!!!

Tim, I'll need you to stay quiet now... otherwise you'll end up costing me a fortune :)