A decent external ssd for a MacBook Pro m2

Questions & Answers
41

Morning
Long long overdue but today I have an SSD coming, a Sandisk 1TB, it has been many years, probably over ten years since I have had to format an external hard drive to run with a pc,
I’ve watched a couple of tutorials on YT, which I understand but does not really say about just a basic format in whatever format it needs to be just for photo files, it was more aimed at sharing on other computers & backing up other things, this is for ( MACBOOK PRO M2 )

There’s the option for I believe :
APFS
APFS (Encrypted)
APFS (Case-sensitive)
APFS (Case-sensitive, Encrypted )
Mac OS Extended (Journaled )
Mac OS Extended (Case-sensitive, Journaled )
MS - DOT FAT
Ex FAT

So I’m wondering the correct format as above,

I shan’t be plugging the ssd into another pc I wouldn’t have thought, I literally would like to just format it correctly so I can drag & drop my folders of pictures in to it, I’m understanding I can put a password on if I want to as well,
As said many years since I last done one of these, so a point in the right direction of what I’m sure is simple once you know how would be appreciated, thank you :blush:

42

You’ll be using it as an external disk, right? My suggestion is to use the same format as you have on your computer’s disk, and to not use a password.

If ever there’s a chance you’ll be using it to shuttle files between Mac and PC then you would want FAT-32 or exFAT. Else go with the above :crossed_fingers:

43

Yes as an external, I was meant to put that above, just plug & play so to speak to store all pictures.
Thankyou

Edit

How would I find out what that is ? Sorry not that tech savvy …

44
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45

Right click on your MacintoshHD icon (I assume you have it on your desktop) and select Get Info - 5th item on the list displayed is the HD format - probably APFS (which is what I use) :+1:

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46

Brilliant thanks guys, I knew it was simple if you know what your doing ! :blush:

47

Are you going to be plugging it in anything else ?

48

Just the MacBook Chris, unless god forbid that ever encounters a problem, then probably a no,
I’m guessing if it did, I’d have to plug it in to a Mac to read the ssd as that of the format encryption would be the only way readable / useable at an educated guess maybe.

49

Then APFS as above is the way to go

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50

Many thanks !

51

I have one.

I first got rid of the Sandisk password software. Make sure it’s AFPS as you won’t get the fast transfer speeds otherwise. My was exFAT and was really slow. AFPS and it’s nearly as quick as the SSD.

Sorry quick reply. Just on my way out :running_man::running_man::running_man:

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