External Editing: SSD+USB3.0 > 5400RPM+Thunderbolt ?

[chris f]

Hey Guys,

I'm looking to buy a new external drive for when I need to edit projects on the go. Most of this would happen on my new 13" Macbook Air and occasionally on my new iMac at work after hours (so both have Thunderbolt & USB3.0).

It seems that most external thunderbolt drives are 5400rpm which seems like an expensive waste. Would the fastest, best performance be editing off of an external SSD that has USB3.0?

If so, what do you think about this drive: http://www.mydigitaldiscount.com/mydigitalssd-512gb-pocket-vault-superspeed-usb-3.0-portable-external-ssd-mdssd-0512g-pv/

 

[KINOKS]

If you are editing raw or uncompressed then yes, you need it. Othervise a normal 3.5" 7200 external drive that has an USB 3.0 port will suffice.

 

[atarijedi]

The fastest would be Thunderbolt + SSD. Maybe you could find a Thunderbolt enclosure, and put your own SSD in it?

In fact, here is a Buffalo enclosure that has a 500GB HDD in it, and it does both Thunderbolt and USB3, and its $144. http://www.amazon.com/BUFFALO-MiniS..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0ZZQBWT4AC395P4JHEPN

Although they do have a 1TB version if you don't want to buy another SSD and swap the 2 drives.