TL;DR
Yes, you can store data elsewhere on a MacBook besides the internal SSD. Common options include external hard drives/SSDs, USB flash drives, network-attached storage (NAS), and cloud services. However, performance will vary significantly depending on the method used.
How to Store Data Beyond Your MacBook’s SSD
- External Hard Drives & SSDs: This is the most common and practical solution for expanding storage.
- Connection Types: Use USB 3.0 or Thunderbolt ports for faster transfer speeds. Older USB 2.0 will be much slower.
- Formatting: Format the drive as APFS (Apple File System) if you only use it with Macs. ExFAT is a good choice for compatibility with both Macs and Windows PCs. You can format using Disk Utility.
diskutil eraseDisk APFS "Drive Name" /dev/diskX - Performance: SSDs will be significantly faster than traditional hard drives.
- USB Flash Drives: Convenient for small amounts of data, but generally slower and less reliable than external drives.
- Formatting: Similar to external drives – APFS or ExFAT depending on compatibility needs.
- Speed: USB 3.0 flash drives are preferable over older versions.
- Network-Attached Storage (NAS): A good option for central storage accessible from multiple devices.
- Connection: Connect the NAS to your network via Ethernet.
- Protocol: Use SMB (Server Message Block) or AFP (Apple Filing Protocol) to connect from Finder. SMB is generally recommended for better compatibility.
- Performance: Speed depends on your network connection and the NAS hardware.
- Cloud Storage Services: Store data online, accessible from anywhere with an internet connection.
- Providers: iCloud Drive, Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive are popular choices.
- Speed: Depends on your internet speed and the provider’s servers.
- Security: Ensure the service uses encryption to protect your data.
- Target Disk Mode (for older Macs): Allows you to use another Mac as an external drive.
- Requirements: Requires a compatible Mac with Thunderbolt or FireWire ports.
- How To: Connect the two Macs using a suitable cable, then start the target Mac in Target Disk Mode (hold T key during startup). The target Mac’s storage will appear as an external drive on the host Mac.
Important Considerations
- Backups: Always back up your data, regardless of where it’s stored! Use Time Machine or a dedicated backup solution.
- Data Security: Encrypt sensitive data, especially if using external drives or cloud services. FileVault is built-in encryption for Macs.
- Performance Tradeoffs: External storage will generally be slower than the internal SSD. Choose the method that best balances speed, capacity, and cost.