03-19-2025, 11:15 PM
Clear out the internal SSD as much as possible.
The first thing you could do is get a couple of 2.5" SSD, 2 or 4TB.
Apps can stay on the internal SSD, most files can be stored externally.
Make these external storage for all the pics, and any files that aren't accessed often.
Does he do a lot of editing, work with large files, or RAW media?
Then he might benefit from an m.2 NVME which will be faster than 2.5" SSDs.
I'd do a roll my own for that, rather than a 'portable' one.
For an NVMe enclosure, I'd probably go with 40Gbps (theoretical) USB4 or TB3 or TB4 and look for a HiPo m.2 stick.
Again, what his needs and budget will dictate the best path to follow.
As an amateur, maybe speed isn't a big deal and 10Gbps or less is adequate for his use.
I don't recall if the M1 iMac is slower with 128G of storage over 256G.
If it is slower, faster work flow might be achieved with an aforementioned HiPo stick and box.
That's what I'd do.
Although other replies my change my mind.
The first thing you could do is get a couple of 2.5" SSD, 2 or 4TB.
Apps can stay on the internal SSD, most files can be stored externally.
Make these external storage for all the pics, and any files that aren't accessed often.
Does he do a lot of editing, work with large files, or RAW media?
Then he might benefit from an m.2 NVME which will be faster than 2.5" SSDs.
I'd do a roll my own for that, rather than a 'portable' one.
For an NVMe enclosure, I'd probably go with 40Gbps (theoretical) USB4 or TB3 or TB4 and look for a HiPo m.2 stick.
Again, what his needs and budget will dictate the best path to follow.
As an amateur, maybe speed isn't a big deal and 10Gbps or less is adequate for his use.
I don't recall if the M1 iMac is slower with 128G of storage over 256G.
If it is slower, faster work flow might be achieved with an aforementioned HiPo stick and box.
That's what I'd do.
Although other replies my change my mind.