#EXPANDABLE RAID FOR MAC UPGRADE#
#EXPANDABLE RAID FOR MAC PORTABLE#
#EXPANDABLE RAID FOR MAC MAC#
#EXPANDABLE RAID FOR MAC WINDOWS#

You can always turn to the cloud for additional storage space. Better network equipment and Cat 5e cable is a minimum requirement for speeds that top out at 1Gb/sec, while Wi-Fi speeds fall short.

#EXPANDABLE RAID FOR MAC WINDOWS#

Back up Time Machine to a NAS box or Windows PC.īottom line: A mixed bag that's cheap with variable speeds, but only available when you're at home.

#EXPANDABLE RAID FOR MAC MAC#

Repurpose your old Mac as a file server.

If you're interested in this idea, we've covered a few ways to use network storage: You'll only be able to use network storage and its data when you're on the same network. Even if your router is rated for 150Mb/sec, there's no guarantee you'll get that speed. Most of us rely on Wi-Fi around the house for convenience, and the speed you get will depend on signal quality. A wired network will provide the most reliable speeds, though this caps out at 10Gb/sec from Cat 6 cable on the fastest network equipment you can buy. There are some drawbacks with this approach that largely depend on your network setup. This is a cheap way of adding storage, as you might not need to buy anything to use it. Image Credit: CAT5e /Flickr Īside from adding storage to your MacBook directly, you can leverage some of the storage you already have elsewhere in your home. It's an involved but relatively straightforward installation process that rewards you with fast, hassle-free storage that goes everywhere you do.

#EXPANDABLE RAID FOR MAC UPGRADE#

To perform an upgrade, you'll need a new solid-state drive, screwdriver set that matches your laptop, and a spare external drive or enclosure for your old drive so you can clone it.īottom line: This is the fastest storage upgrade you can perform. Some retailers, like Other World Computing, split their kits up by model and year, which makes it difficult to buy the wrong one. This guide on Instructables applies to most Apple laptops, but keep in mind there will be small differences for each model. These include instructions and even video resources.

In many cases, you can buy upgrade kits that include everything you need to upgrade your laptop's storage. This renders upgrades essentially impossible, so check if your model is upgradeable before you commit to a purchase. On the newest MacBook models, the SSD comes soldered to the logic board. Keep in mind that upgrading involves opening your laptop enclosure, which will void any warranty you have on your machine. That's why we recommend buying the biggest capacity you can afford.

#EXPANDABLE RAID FOR MAC PORTABLE#

You can reuse the SSD in other computers or a portable enclosure when your MacBook eventually dies. Samsung SSD 860 EVO 1TB 2.5 Inch SATA III Internal SSD (MZ-76E1T0B/AM) BUY NOW ON AMAZON Whatever you buy, make sure it's at least USB 3.0. Something basic like Western Digital's Elements USB 3.0 drive will do the trick for most external storage needs. While you can span your iTunes library across multiple volumes using an app like TuneSpan, you can't do the same for your ever-expanding photos library without moving the whole thing. You might use them to hold large media files that aren't part of your libraries, archived documents and project files, RAW photos, backups, and disk images. Storing data on external drives works well in certain situations. On a newer MacBook, you'll probably need a USB-C adapter too. You also have to carry them with you, and they occupy one of the few USB ports your MacBook has. External hard drives don't stand up well to drops. Hard disk drives still use an arm-and-platter arrangement, which means they need time to 'spin up' and are prone to mechanical failure. While the physical size and price of external storage has shrunk over the years, these drives are still fragile and slow. Plus, most no longer require separate power supplies. These relatively cheap storage accessories offer high capacities and are much smaller than they once were. They're handy for backing up your Mac using Time Machine, but you can also partition your backup disk and use it as a regular drive too. You may already have an external hard drive. We'll show you both cheap and elaborate options for adding more storage to your MacBook. Fortunately, you don't need to buy a whole new computer to add more storage.Īpple hardware is built to last-there's a good chance your MacBook has many years left in it. You thought you could save some money on your MacBook by opting for a model with less storage, and now you're regretting that decision.

Expandable raid for mac