Using an internal SSD as an external drive

Has anyone here ever used an internal SSD as an external drive, using a SATA-USB adapter?


I am wondering if the housing of the drive is sufficient "protection" for routine handling. I don't mean "drop protected" or anything, just handling and placing in a zipper sleeve for transport.

I am thinking too about hooking up this drive to a Seagate Go-Glex portable Thunderbolt adapter and using it as an alternative to an Elegato SSD.


CT128M4SSD2 - 128GB, 2.5-inch Solid State Drive , from Crucial.com

 

I assume you're talking about standard notebook SSDs like the Crucial in your link and not a bare SDD card like in a MBA or VAIO. If so, the housings are basically the same as a 2.5" notebook HDD. They are more than sufficiently robust, overkill really.

It makes no sense to put an SSD in a USB enclosure, because the performance is terrible. The Seagate Go Flex Thunderbolt adapter is a way better choice. See this link for a performance comparison of internal vs. Thunderbolt vs. USB for an Intel SSD:

Thunderbolt Storage With Any 2.5" Hard Drive or SSD | StorageReview.com - Storage Reviews

 

I wasn't aware that the Seagate TB adapter could accept standard SATA drives. That's really nice not to be limited to using proprietary GoFlex drives.


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Seeing as most SSDs have a full metal casing around them, you should be fine with transporting it around as an external. I sometimes use my Intel 320 as an external (using a Thermaltake eSATA dock) whenever I'm using a mechanical drive in the notebook.

As dmk2 said, a USB enclosure (of any kind) basically makes the SSD's speed a moot point; invest in a decent eSATA enclosure for it.

 

Moot point considering the OP is specifically talking about using Thunderbolt. It's a pricey proposition given that the cable is sold separately (another $50 on top of the price of the adapter). However, it's the absolute best solution for a MacBook Pro given that they don't have eSATA or USB 3.0. Perhaps the latter might be coming in the product refresh though I wouldn't entirely count on it (I hope I'm wrong).


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I don't plan on using USB at all, as long as the Seagate Thunderbolt Adapter works, which I think it will. As far as cost...I already have the Seagate Adapter, and two T-Bolt cables, which i already use on several T-Bolt capable drives I have. I am just looking to expand things a bit using an SSD, instead of Hard Disk Drives. A bit over $100 for 128 GB of wicked fast sounds tasty.

 

UPDATE:

I received the Crucial SSD and hooked it up to my Seagate Portable GoFlex Thunderbolt adapter, and it works flawlessly.

I installed OS X to the drive and booted to it, and ran a myriad of tests. No problems. And is this thing fast! It boots from the external drive from the option menu to login in about 9 seconds. Without benchmarking, it seems as peppy as the internal SSD.

Cost for 128 GB external SSD setup:
$124.00 for the drive
$99.00 for the Thunderbolt adapter
$46.00 for the Thunderbolt cable
$269.00 TOTAL

That's a heck of lot less than Elgato's or La Cie's solution.

Granted, it's not as "pretty" as the Elgato

 

Good to know. Thanks.

 

I'm just wondering, why? Using an SSD as an external drive just seems like a waste of money to me. Not until the prices of SSDs come down some more will I see differently.

 

Nice! Personally, I think it looks better than the Elgato. But maybe thats because I can see how much $ is saved by going your route.