What external SSD should I use to try Linux?
Asked by
MellowOrbit42
I'm thinking about trying Linux while keeping Windows available, so I can test whether my usual activities work before switching fully. I'm studying computer science, play some games, use Discord, code, occasionally draw digitally, and experiment with Unity and Blender. I'd also like the drive to store backups of photos and other files. What should I look for in an external SSD for booting Linux? I'm considering jumping straight into Arch, but I'm open to practical advice.
Answers
If you want an SSD specifically for an operating system, a model with a DRAM cache can be a nice choice, but it isn’t required. Even an older SATA SSD will run most Linux distributions perfectly well, and it will feel much faster than an old hard drive.
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Before buying the SSD, consider making a bootable Linux live USB. You can boot from it without installing anything and check your hardware, Wi-Fi, graphics, applications, and overall workflow. Once you’re comfortable, you can install Linux onto the external SSD.
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Linux can run surprisingly well even from older hardware, so prioritize capacity, reliability, warranty, and the USB enclosure or port rather than chasing the fastest benchmark. For your backups and a full Linux installation, 512 GB or more should give you useful room.
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For Linux, you don’t need anything especially exotic. Almost any reputable SSD will work, and the external USB connection will usually matter more than small differences between drives. A 512 GB model from a reliable brand such as Samsung, Western Digital, Kingston, or SanDisk would be a reasonable starting point.
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MellowOrbit42: That sounds like a good plan. I’ll test a live USB first instead of committing to an installation immediately.