Is it possible to install and operate photo editing apps externally?

[AlaskaMoose]

I am trying to choose one out of two Mac Studios Max with the Max 16-core CPU, 40-core GPU chip, and 128GB RAM: One with a 1TB SSD ($3,699), and the other with a 2TB SSD ($4,099).

But first I would like to ask some questions as follows:
a. It is possible for me to install and operate photo editing apps on an a fast external SSD?
b. Are you aware of any drawbacks relating to performance speed, and so on?

The photo editing apps I use are DXO Photo Lab with the NIK software bundle, DXO Photo Raw, and to a lesser degree the latest version of Graphic Converter (Lemke Software). Also, now and then I perform minor or short-duration video edits.

 

[Bigwaff]

But first I would like to ask some questions as follows:
a. It is possible for me to install and operate photo editing apps on an a fast external SSD?
b. Are you aware of any drawbacks relating to performance speed, and so on?

A "fast" external SSD would be a Thunderbolt 4/5 external SSD. No drawbacks if TB 4/5 but make sure to use a well reviewed and tested external enclosure.

 

[!!!]

Apple places no restrictions on launching apps from external drives. In fact, you've been able to move apps over without issue for a long time. Some programs may not support this if they hard code paths.

According to their support website:

• The installer will suggest a default location (Program Files folder on PC, Applications folder on Mac) and indicate the space required and the space available. If you wish to install the Nik Collection in another location, click on Browse; a system dialog box will prompt you to create and/or select another volume. Click on Next to confirm.

 

[AlaskaMoose]

Apple places no restrictions on launching apps from external drives. In fact, you've been able to move apps over without issue for a long time. Some programs may not support this if they hard code paths.

According to their support website:

Thank you for your fast response.

I plan to not migrate apps, files, and folders from the older iMac I use for photo editing. Instead it will do a clean install of OS-X and the other apps that I now have in the 2019 iMac.

A "fast" external SSD would be a Thunderbolt 4/5 external SSD. No drawbacks if TB 4/5 but make sure to use a well reviewed and tested external enclosure.

Thanks!

While I do have several USB-C 2TB SSDs, I will be reading the reviews and learning all I can about external 4TB Thunderbolt 4 and 5 SSDs.

 

[AlaskaMoose]

Just an update:

I decided to buy a Studio M4 Max with plenty of RAM and storage space to avoid wasting time moving folders and files to external SSDs. Yes, while I saved some $ by purchasing under the school discounts, the exorbitant price for it is nothing but robbery. Oh well...at least this thing is quiet and as cold as a cucumber, but let me tell you that designing any computer with the air intake and exhaust ports at the base makes no sense. The least it should come with is a simple stand to elevate it three or four inches from the desk's top. Something like the Spigen stand or similar. I still have to figure out what to place on top of it to avoid scratching it

 

[Apple fanboy]

Just an update:

I decided to buy a Studio M4 Max with plenty of RAM and storage space to avoid wasting time moving folders and files to external SSDs. Yes, while I saved some $ by purchasing under the school discounts, the exorbitant price for it is nothing but robbery. Oh well...at least this thing is quiet and as cold as a cucumber, but let me tell you that designing any computer with the air intake and exhaust ports at the base makes no sense. The least it should come with is a simple stand to elevate it three or four inches from the desk's top. Something like the Spigen stand or similar. I still have to figure out what to place on top of it to avoid scratching it

Did you order it yet? I've been putting off ordering one for a while (photo editing with LR Classic on my ageing 2018 Mac mini is painful).
How are you finding the upgrade?
As for a stand a few have said this is a good option.

 

[AlaskaMoose]

Did you order it yet? I've been putting off ordering one for a while (photo editing with LR Classic on my ageing 2018 Mac mini is painful).
How are you finding the upgrade?
As for a stand a few have said this is a good option.

Yes, I have always purchased Apple devices directly from the Apple Store, and have them shipped to my home. It arrived over a week ago, shipped from China four days after I ordered it. By then I had a BenQ 5k computer monitor at hand, so I am quite happy with both.

I used Adobe CS3 all the way to CS6 for a great number of years. Adobe lost me as a customer the soonest the CCC subscription began. I have settled with apps such as DXO Photo Lab and NIK's Software Bundle, and to a lesser degree OneOne Photo Raw. But I am finding Photo Raw somewhat troublesome when its launches at first, because it takes several seconds for this app to download "updates" (?) before I can use it.

I have a couple of other photo editing apps that I really like, and can tell you all on a private message it you like since I don't want to derail this thread.