MacBook Pro & external SSDs

 

you can use external SSDs as boot disks for your MacBook Pro A1990 (EMC 3359). This is a safer and more practical alternative to attempting to unsolder and replace the internal SSD. Here's some information about using external SSDs as boot disks:

 

1. Benefits

 

1. Increased storage capacity without internal modifications
2. Ability to boot from multiple operating systems
3. Easy to set up and use

 

2.Requirements

 

1. A compatible external SSD with Thunderbolt 3 or USB-C connection
2. macOS installed on the external SSD

 

3. Process

 

1. Connect the external SSD to your MacBook Pro
2. Install macOS on the external SSD using macOS Recovery
3. Set the external SSD as the startup disk in System Preferences

 

4. Performance Considerations

 

1. Thunderbolt 3 SSDs offer the best performance for boot disks
2. USB-C SSDs are also suitable but may be slightly slower
3. The external boot disk may not be as fast as the internal SSD, but it's still very usable

 

5. Advantages Over Internal Modification

 

1. No risk of damaging your MacBook Pro
2. Maintains warranty and AppleCare+ coverage
3. Easily reversible if you decide to change back

 

Using an external SSD as a boot disk is a safe and effective way to expand your MacBook Pro's storage and functionality without the risks associated with attempting to modify the internal components.

 

< MacOS Recovery >

 

To move macOS Recovery from a 32GB USB drive to a 1TB external SSD, follow these steps:

 

1. Connect both the 32GB USB drive and the 1TB external SSD to your MacBook Pro.
2. Start your Mac and hold down Command + R to boot into macOS Recovery mode.
3. Once in Recovery mode, open Disk Utility from the utilities menu.
4. Select your 1TB external SSD in Disk Utility and click "Erase" to format it. Choose APFS as the format.
5. Exit Disk Utility and return to the macOS Utilities menu.
6. Select "Reinstall macOS" and choose your 1TB external SSD as the destination.
7. Follow the on-screen instructions to install macOS on the external SSD.
8. Once installation is complete, restart your Mac and hold the Option key during startup.
9. Select the external SSD as your startup disk.
10. After booting from the external SSD, you can use Migration Assistant to transfer data from your internal drive or Time Machine backup if needed.

 

This process will create a fresh macOS installation on your external SSD, including the Recovery partition. The 32GB USB drive is not directly involved in this process, as you're creating a new installation on the larger drive. Ensure you have a stable internet connection, as the installer may need to download additional files during the process.