Even on an Intel Mini, USB-C boot takes much longer than internal boot, seemingly due to Apple shenanigans. I have worked with External SSDs on Macs for years.

Even on an Intel Mini, USB-C boot takes much longer than internal boot, seemingly due to Apple shenanigans. I have worked with External SSDs on Macs for years. Partially because to circumvent the Apple Price Tax. But also to just treat storage as something easy to swap.