Best Thunderbolt accessories for iMac in 2023

All iMacs that are for sale now have two Thunderbolt ports available for use. The M1 iMacs have two Thunderbolt/USB-4 ports, while the remaining Intel iMacs have two Thunderbolt 3 ports. Thunderbolt connections are one of the fastest ways to transfer data. There are many Thunderbolt accessories available on the market today, but which are the best to use with your iMac? Let's explore the best Thunderbolt accessories for iMac.
Thunderbolt and lightning speeds
If you are looking for external storage that can transfer data at lightning speeds, look no further than the Samsung X5 Portable SSD. With read speeds of 2,800 MB/sec and write speeds of 2,300 MB/sec, you will never be waiting for data to transfer. This SSD features a full metal body and is shock-resistant. It's available in 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB sizes.
Rugged speed
The LaCie Thunderbolt SSD is an external drive for anyone who will use their iMac to work at home and transfer files to their MacBook when working in the field. This SSD is IP67 water-resistant, has three-meter drop resistance and two-ton pressure resistance. If you are working in tough terrain, this is the drive for you.
Speedy video
With the Blackmagic Design Ultra Studio HD, you will get 40Gbps capture and playback of video. This is for video professionals looking for the fastest transfer speeds possible. The recorder requires a Thunderbolt 3 connection, so it's perfect for use with an iMac. There is an upgraded model available if you need to work with 4K video.
Double your screens
Your iMac has a beautiful display, but sometimes you need to work on two screens. The LG UltraFine 4K is the perfect second monitor for your iMac. It features two Thunderbolt 3 ports, a 23.7 inch IPS panel, and P3 wide color gamut. It also contains three USB-C downstream ports.
Connect with this
To connect your Thunderbolt device to your iMac, you will need a Thunderbolt cable. If your new accessory does not come with its own cable, purchasing a cable is a must. This official Apple cable supports data transfer speeds over Thunderbolt 3 of 40Mbps.
Extend your Thunderbolt ports
The Plugable Thunderbolt 3 Dock lets you connect multiple devices to your iMac. It features ultra-fast transfer speeds of up to 40Gbps. The dock contains two Thunderbolt 3 ports, 5 USB-A 3.0 ports, a DisplayPort, a gigabit ethernet port, and an audio in/out port. It provides 60 watts of power to your compatible Thunderbolt device.
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Using a Thunderbolt connection on your iMac will allow you to transfer data at breakneck speeds. Many accessories are available to take advantage of the iMac's superfast port, and we have highlighted a few of the best.
If you want a speedy external solid-state drive, you can't go wrong with the Samsung X5, which happens to be our staff pick. It has a full metal body, is shock-resistant, and features read speeds of 2,800 MB/sec and write speeds of 2,300 MB/sec. You can choose your drive size as it comes in 500GB, 1TB, and 2TB varieties. For an even more rugged drive, the LaCie Rugged SSD offers IP67 water resistance, has three-meter drop resistance, and two-ton pressure resistance. And, of course, it's super fast.
The Plugable Thunderbolt 3 Dock allows you to expand the devices you can connect to your iMac and has ultra-fast transfer speeds of up to 40Gbps. With just about every port available, this dock will be a welcome addition to your desk.
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**Mark Goldschmitt** is the father of three boys and loves anything Apple. Born and raised in Queens, NY, and currently residing on Long Island, Mark is a lifelong New York Mets fan. {.end}