This summary of the video was created by an AI. It might contain some inaccuracies.
00:00:00 – 00:12:47
The video focuses on the challenges and solutions regarding storage upgrades for Mac users, emphasizing the high cost and limitations of Apple's internal storage options that have been present since 2016 due to soldered SSDs and the T2 chip integration. The speaker advocates for using external SSDs as a viable and cost-effective alternative to enhance storage capacity and protect data against internal drive failures. Various external drives and their compatibilities are discussed, with recommendations such as the Samsung T7 due to reliability issues with other models like the SanDisk Extreme Pro V2.
For those seeking optimal performance, Thunderbolt 3, 4, and USB 4 drives are recommended, though they can be expensive. An alternative is using enclosures with internal NVMe drives, such as Acasis or those featuring the Intel JHL7440 chipset. The Western Digital Black SN770 is highlighted for its value and high-speed performance. Detailed instructions are provided for setting up these drives on a Mac, including formatting options and maintenance tips like using APFS and keeping some storage free to boost performance. The video wraps up by encouraging viewer interaction and promising more tech content.
00:00:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses the high cost of storage upgrades when purchasing a Mac and the limitations, such as the inability to upgrade internal storage after purchase. External solid-state drives (SSDs) are introduced as a cost-effective and fast alternative, with emphasis on the compatibility and functionality of these drives with Macs. The speaker elaborates on the lack of upgradability of Mac storage since 2016 due to Apple’s decision to solder SSDs onto the logic board, and the risks associated with internal drive failures, especially after the introduction of the T2 chip, which integrates the boot system within the internal SSD. External SSDs are presented as a solution to extend the longevity of the Mac and safeguard data, reducing the impact of potential internal drive failures. The speaker then showcases various external SSD options, ranging from inexpensive to premium, and explains their features and uses.
00:03:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses various external drives and their usability for most people. They explain the confusion around USB protocols but simplify the choice by suggesting looking for drives advertised with speeds around 10 GB per second or 1,000 MB per second. The SanDisk Extreme Pro and Samsung T7 are highlighted as popular options; however, the recent SanDisk Extreme Pro V2 models have shown high failure rates, particularly the 4 TB models, making the Samsung T7 a more reliable choice.
The speaker also warns about USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 drives, which offer double the advertised speed but won’t be supported by Apple devices and might not offer better performance on some PCs. For those seeking higher performance, Thunderbolt 3 or 4 and USB 4 drives are recommended, running at 40 GB per second, though these options can be expensive. As an alternative, using a Thunderbolt or USB 4 enclosure with an internal NVMe drive is suggested for better value and performance. The speaker mentions using an Acasis enclosure successfully for over a year.
00:06:00
In this segment, the speaker discusses the performance and value of various Thunderbolt enclosures and internal drives for enhanced read and write speeds. The key point is that the brand of the enclosure is less important than the chipset inside, specifically the Intel JHL7440, which ensures solid performance. The Western Digital Black SN770 is highlighted as a great value with high read and write speeds, comparable to the more expensive Samsung 980 Pro. The speaker emphasizes that these enclosures provide performance close to internal Mac drives and are versatile for tasks like video editing and gaming. The benefits of being able to swap internal drives affordably in the long term are also noted. Furthermore, new enclosures like the Ze Drive USB 4 and Hyper Next Drive with Asmedia ASM 2464 PD chipsets are introduced, offering slightly better performance and unique design features, influencing the choice based on personal preference.
00:09:00
In this part of the video, the speaker discusses important steps to properly set up enclosures with internal drives on a Mac. They address the initial unreadable disk message that appears and how to format the new drive using Disk Utility by selecting the ‘Erase’ option. The speaker explains the different formatting options: APFS, Mac OS Extended, and ExFAT, highlighting APFS as the preferred choice for Mac users due to its efficiency, safety, and performance benefits. They caution against using ExFAT unless cross-platform compatibility is necessary, citing issues like lack of journaling and inefficiency. Additionally, they mention keeping 10-20% of drive storage free to enhance drive health and performance and suggest using tools like CleanMyMac for storage management.
00:12:00
In this part of the video, the presenter recaps the discussion about enhancing storage options for Mac systems, mentioning that links to relevant products can be found in the description. They encourage viewers to share their own experiences with external drives or enclosures mentioned earlier. Additionally, the presenter reminds viewers to like the video if they found it useful, subscribe for more tech content, and teases the possibility of organizing a fun debate on whether unicorns or dragons are better.