I use OWC SSD. I find they work extremely well, avoid TRIM problems and amazing when striped. I will agree however, that back ups are absolutely important. It was an oversight not to mention this and my error.
Every professional has different workflow styles that fits their specific needs. I have been changing my digital gear as the need arises for processing and storage. Getting more storage space is essential even if you cull out the bad shots. I shoot with a Nikon D4 & my older D2h which still works very well. I import my photos and keep the originals,(jpg & raw) on separate drives from my Aperture Libraries.
I then use Aperture to import the images separately or use the File Import to keep the file structure [ Aperture will create this structure for you into projects with the sub-folders and albums with referenced images]. The main reason I do it this way with referenced files with Aperture is for safety of the originals. I can backup the originals ( outside of Aperture ) with duplicate drives. I can also backup the Aperture Libraries separately ( different Library for each type of shooting to keep each with a reasonable size ). I can make my adjustments which don't change the original referenced files. This also takes place if your originals are in Aperture or iPhoto ( non-destructive changes ). I could export those file versions that are adjusted and make new originals as needed & still keep the 1st generation or delete them.
As a side note for Aperture, I am using 3.2.4 still and not 3.3. Visually, I like the GUI color variations and not the monotone look of 3.3, especially with the inspector view for Projects, Folders, and Albums. It easier to quicker see which is which with the colors and my workflow is faster. I also like the highlight/shadow control more with the older version since I can limit the tonal range with a slider as I can with Photoshop without needing to go there. The new version eliminates this and assumes their control over tonal rage is better with you just adjusting the intensity. A warning though, if you upgrade to 3.3, make sure you backup your 3.2.4 libraries and keep those in storage ( good for just sequential safety, too ) When you upgrade, the libraries are also updated and can NOT be used with 3.2.4 any more. The same goes with the iPhoto libraries if you are using them. Because A 3.3 can now show your iPhoto libs within Aperture, they too must be updated along with the upgrades to iPhoto versions. Backward compatibility is lost here.
I can take my MacBook Pro ( mid 2010 ) with me using Aperture and import onto it when I am away from home. I take an external 2.5" drive to duplicate the images. At home, the MBPro was used for a long time( an older 2006 MBP ) with an external Mac 23" display ( matte screen - I've tried the glossy and it changes the look of the photos and what has been said above, lacks the control I need for overall colors ) I haven't upgraded to an Eizo display yet but that will be my next big change.
I went with a Mac Pro with a 6-core 3.33GHz GPU & 24GB memory over a year and half ago. In the long run, I knew I would use this for a long time and I can easily make changes to it as needed. I still have a Mac G4 desktop from 10 years ago that is working great with 10.4.11. If I got an iMac, I would be ok in the short term but limited with the display and would have to spend more eventually. A Mac Mini would have limits right as the beginning with only a 500GB drive. I have recently added a PCI express SSD card with 240GB that is my boot drive and an extra 480GB SSD in the extra optical drive slot for my Aperture Libraries. It is very fast because it uses the internal speed. The SSDs are purchased from OWC - great reputation and Lloyd's [see link below] test's have shown them to be very reliable. My original 4 internal drives are 2TB each. I used RAID to combine those into 2-4TB drives for photos. I use eSATA for fast transfers to external backup drives since the Mac Pro does not have Thunderbolt yet. The rumors with a couple of noteworthy Apple mentions, there is a good chance that a new Mac Pro might coming out in mid to late 2013 from what I have read on this site and others.
To keep this simpler without me explaining my reasoning, this is one place I go for serious research:
http://macperformanceguide.com/
There is great information about gear and software from Lloyd Chambers who does a lot of testing of Macs and OS. He displays and explains the results from a technical and practical standpoint. There is so much information you may need to use the tab at the top to go to the index. Many of my decisions are helped by him. You can make more informed choices at any level of shooting or digital photo work.
Have fun & keep it as simple and as safe as you can for workflow and backups.
