Hi everyone! I'm a Linux Mint user and I really enjoy the performance and stability it offers. However, I've been struggling with running tools like Excel and Power BI in a VirtualBox VM, as it's been quite slow. I'm hesitant to dual boot because I've heard that Windows updates can interfere with the bootloader, potentially disrupting my Linux setup.
I'm considering installing Windows on an external SSD to use it only when needed. My questions are:
1. Will I get decent performance from Windows running on an external SSD for applications like Excel and Power BI?
2. Is this kind of setup reliable, especially for occasional projects and assessments?
3. Are there any major drawbacks I should be aware of?
I'd really appreciate insights from anyone who's tried something similar. Thanks!
3 Answers
I've been using a dual boot setup with Windows and Linux for ages, and when done right, they work pretty well together. But honestly, running Windows 11 off an external drive isn't the best idea. You might run into performance issues.
Running Windows from an external USB drive is generally not reliable. If you want better performance, consider using eSATA instead—this connects directly to the motherboard and can provide a solid solution. Also, I've seen people recommending SATA to eSATA cables, which can be found online easily. Just a heads-up, though: cross-posting across multiple forums can sometimes lead folks to ignore your questions, so keep that in mind!
Isn't there a tool called Windows To Go that lets you install Windows on portable drives? Would that work? Also, I have only one SSD slot in my laptop, so wouldn't the SATA connection be taken?
I highly recommend learning how to set up dual boot. It could save you a lot of hassle in the long run!
My laptop only has one SSD slot, which complicates things a bit.