If you just want something for OS X boot drive and use your iMac's internal storage for everything else, even something cheap like this SanDisk Extreme will do the trick. I was amazed at the performance – I bought one so I could have an OS X diagnostics thumb drive. It's like an SSD; apps open instantly and stuff like that. Really impressive performance for USB.
Otherwise if you're looking for something a little larger or better performing, there are a number of external Thunderbolt SSD enclosures, but they're very pricey.
May I confirm why you didn't upgrade to an SSD in the first place on your iMac? If you're buying external SSDs you're going to be paying even more than the BTO would have been.
Just grab either a Samsung EVO 850 or a Crucial MX200 SSD and throw it in a USB3 enclosure that supports UASP like this by Inatech and you will be good to go.Any specific External SSD you guys would recommend for me?
I got iMac 5k
OWC claims their SSDs don't need trim as the drives are configured to keep optimal performance with their controllers. http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other World Computing/MSU3SSD240GB/Just grab either a Samsung EVO 850 or a Crucial MX200 SSD and throw it in a USB3 enclosure that supports UASP like this by Inatech and you will be good to go.
For your described usage there really is no need to spend the extra money for a Thunderbolt SSD enclosure. A USB3 enclosure will be very close to the same speed. The only downside it USB does not support TRIM, but that won't be an issue the way you are using this drive.
That is nothing but marketing BS from OWC.OWC claims their SSDs don't need trim as the drives are configured to keep optimal performance with their controllers. http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other World Computing/MSU3SSD240GB/
A Samsung 850 EVO (do NOT get the 840 EVO even if its cheap, it's got dodgy firmware) inside a USB3 enclosure should do the job nicely.Any specific External SSD you guys would recommend for me?
I got iMac 5k
Get Samsung T1. ITB is about $400-500. No need a separate enclosure
I had although I returned it as I decided to wait for a bigger 2tb version. It worked very well and surely fast not to mention sooo small. Yes, you need to install a driver but I don't see a big deal about it personally. My mac also has a NTFS driver so that it can read NTSF HDD.Do you actually own one? Have you read about the fact that Samsung require you to install software onto your Mac/PC before you can even format the drive? I know it looks sexy and compact, but it's requirement to install a driver, a plugin and an application to format the drive is a big minus to me.