I'm considering installing Linux on my high-end laptop, but I'm worried about messing up my existing partitions and accidentally losing my data. Would it be a wise move to try using a small external SSD for this? If I install the Linux ISO on it and boot from there, am I still technically doing a bare metal install?
5 Answers
Using an external SSD can work fine, but keep in mind that you might experience slightly worse performance since it's not connected directly to the motherboard. If your laptop allows it, swapping out the internal SSD for a bit might give you better results without risking your files.
That makes sense! I just thought the external connection would bottleneck performance.
An external NVMe SSD in a good enclosure can be a solid short-term solution! Just ensure your enclosure has a good controller to avoid overheating.
I’ve used an external SSD for Linux without issues. Just remember, it’s essential to have a backup of your data, in case things go wrong! If you plan to dual boot, make sure you have everything saved.
Booting from a live ISO on an external SSD is a great way to test Linux without altering your laptop. Though the live ISO is read-only, you can still get a feel for the OS. If you install it on the external drive, you can dive deeper into Linux. Just make sure to pick a distro that suits you, like Ubuntu or Mint!
I'm with you on that! I want to try Arch but can't get it to work in a VM, hence my interest in running it externally.
I've used an external SSD for development tasks without any problems. It’s recommended to follow a tutorial when setting up the OS, though! Also, you’ll need a USB stick for the ISO file, so make sure to account for that too.
Actually, if you’re using USB 3 or Thunderbolt, the speed difference isn’t that drastic. I’ve gamed off an external SSD and didn’t notice much lag.