Can Ubuntu Run Efficiently on an External SSD?

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Booting Ubuntu from a portable SSD on a laptop is feasible, but performance may vary based on the connection type and the laptop's specifications. Using an external SSD connected via USB may result in slower speeds, especially if the laptop lacks USB 3.0 ports. An internal SSD, particularly a SATA SSD, generally offers better performance than an external M.2 device over USB. If the laptop has an M.2 slot, installing an internal M.2 SSD will provide superior speed. For older laptops, replacing the existing hard drive with a standard SATA SSD is recommended for optimal performance. Concerns about running simulations on an external SSD suggest that while it is possible, internal solutions are preferable for speed and reliability. Users should also consider BIOS updates for compatibility with booting from external drives.
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Hi PF!

Can I boot Ubuntu from a portable SSD on a computer, say a laptop? If I run ubuntu from a portable SSD plugged into a usb drive, will it run slow? We have this old computer in my lab, but it's Windows and runs Ubuntu from a VM, so super slow and awful memory. Or should I just buy another SSD, plug it into the motherboard, and go from there? What do you recommend?
 
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joshmccraney said:
Can I boot Ubuntu from a portable SSD on a computer, say a laptop?
Yes.
joshmccraney said:
If I run ubuntu from a portable SSD plugged into a usb drive, will it run slow?
Maybe. How slow is slow?
joshmccraney said:
Or should I just buy another SSD, plug it into the motherboard, and go from there?
That will work too.
 
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Vanadium 50 said:
Yes.

Maybe. How slow is slow?

That will work too.
How slow? I was thinking about using an M.2 SSD with 3400 megabytes/s. I was thinking of mounting to an external mount: M.2 NVME SSD enclosure adapter USB C 3.1 Gen 2 at 10 Gbps, 6 Gbps SATA PCIe. So this SSD mounted externally to this enclosure. I'd be running simulations that can take a few days. Does anything scream "no don't do it" to you?
 
I installed Centos on a USB 3 key. It took ~10x longer to install on it than on a USB 2 spinning disk. Running felt about the same as on the spinning disk. I eventually went with an internal SATA 3 SSD (a $10 bargain basement deal from Microcenter) which was faster than both and entirely acceptable.

My home area is on a remote server.
 
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joshmccraney said:
Can I boot Ubuntu from a portable SSD on a computer, say a laptop?
Probably; you may need to update the BIOS on an old machine.

joshmccraney said:
If I run ubuntu from a portable SSD plugged into a usb drive, will it run slow?
Yes, particularly if the laptop does not have a USB 3 port.

joshmccraney said:
Or should I just buy another SSD, plug it into the motherboard, and go from there? What do you recommend?
This. You will get much better performance from a bog-standard SATA internal SSD (which is all an old laptop is likely to support) than an external M2 device over USB, and the setup will also be cheaper and more convenient.

I've just realized you said plug it into the motherboard. Does this laptop have an M2 port on the mobo? It is not that old then, and an internally mounted M2 drive will blow anything external out of the water.

If it doesn't have an M2 mobo you will instead be replacing the existing spinner installed in the SATA drive bay.
 
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pbuk said:
Probably; you may need to update the BIOS on an old machine.Yes, particularly if the laptop does not have a USB 3 port.This. You will get much better performance from a bog-standard SATA internal SSD (which is all an old laptop is likely to support) than an external M2 device over USB, and the setup will also be cheaper and more convenient.

I've just realized you said plug it into the motherboard. Does this laptop have an M2 port on the mobo? It is not that old then, and an internally mounted M2 drive will blow anything external out of the water.

If it doesn't have an M2 mobo you will instead be replacing the existing spinner installed in the SATA drive bay.
The laptop is a mac, which I don't like tinkering with. I was going to add another SSD to the mobo of a desktop, but then I have to remote access. I think the better option might be to plug an external SSD into the mac and let it do its thing. Would the external SSD run substantially slower when going through a USB-c, thunderbolt, or USB3.0?
 
joshmccraney said:
Would the external SSD run substantially slower when going through a USB-c, thunderbolt, or USB3.0?
Maybe.
 
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