Storing VMs on a usb drive

[macrules34]

I have two Mac Pros that I would like to install VMware Fusion 13 Pro on. The only catch his that I need to store the VMs on a USB drive. Will that work?

Specs:
Mac Pro 2013 1x 6-Core Intel Xeon and 32GB of Ram, OS: macOS Monterey

I want to run(not all at once) Windows Server, Windows (Pro, Home, etc.) and various Linux Flavor and version OS’s.

 

[Tech Junky]

Sure, why not?

I would aim for either a real drive in an enclosure or SanDisk extreme pro. The SD pro hits SSD speeds and shows up to the system as an internal drive.

 

[nexox]

USB sticks tend to have awful write performance and life span, other types of drive connected over USB should be alright, so long as your software supports it.

 

[macrules34]

It wouldn’t be on a USB stick, it’s a USB hard disk drive.

 

[gea]

Sandisk Pro tend to fail quite often. I bought two douzens due the 10 years waranty. They did not fail completely but gave many errors so I binned them all. Google "Sandisk SSD problem". Another problem that I have seen with USB are sudden disconnects, not as reliable as Thunderbold, Sata or SAS and often slower due the USB chipsets.

Beside that it should work.

 

[ericloewe]

If you're really intent on using that machine, why not Thunderbolt? Sure, Thunderbolt 1/2 is a bit orphaned, but there should still be disk enclosures out there...

 

[macrules34]

Mainly cost and capacity, I’m on a limited budget and the usb drives are cheaper.