We’re starting with my weapon of choice, the Plugable Thunderbolt 3 External SSD… If you want your sample libraries to load almost instantly, you’ll definitely want to pick up one of the drives I’ll be recommending. So, I hope that you now understand WHAT you’re looking for and WHY. The best place to find good deals on external Thunderbolt 3 SSDs is going to be on Amazon for the time being. There isn’t enough demand, but that’s going to change VERY soon. That’s one of the reasons you’ll have difficulty finding Thunderbolt 3 drives in stores. That’s mostly because they haven’t compared the two (Thunderbolt 3 vs USB-C) and because most people don’t even have computers with Thunderbolt 3 ports. The thing is… Most consumers wouldn’t even be able to tell the difference. SSDs can perform at read speed of up to 3,200 Mbps (although most average 2,400 Mbps). That’s only as fast as your best performing HDD… The read/write speeds of the drive isn’t always clearly stated, but this is the best indicator.įor example, this LaCie Portable SSD has the keyword “Thunderbolt 3” in its title, but the read speed is only 540 Mbps. Remember, USB-C devices are compatible with Thunderbolt 3 (not the other way around). Some external SSDs ( like this one) mention Thunderbolt compatibility but are actually USB-C. Manufacturers also make it VERY difficult for consumers to make the distinction.

However, it’s the actual cable that makes the difference and whether or not you’re using Thunderbolt 3 ports (which ARE compatible with USB-C) or USB-C ports (which AREN’T compatible with Thunderbolt 3). It’s understandable because they both use the SAME connector.

4+ BEST Macs for Music Production (Mac Mini, Mac Studio, etc.)Most consumers don’t understand the difference between Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C.

Best external hard drive for mac 2018