OWC‘s Express 1M2 80G Unleashes Thunderbolt 5 Performance
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The cutting-edge Thunderbolt 5 technology, recently popularized by Apple’s latest MacBook Pro, is now accessible through a new hardware offering. Other World Computing (OWC) has unveiled the Express 1M2 80G, a portable SSD enclosure designed to maximize the speed potential of Thunderbolt 5 while maintaining compatibility with older standards.
Elevated Performance for Creative Professionals
OWC’s Express 1M2 80G enclosure is engineered for professionals and content creators demanding high-speed, on-the-go storage. This bus-powered drive leverages the capabilities of Thunderbolt 5, yet remains fully functional with Thunderbolt 4 and USB4-equipped Macs and PCs, offering a versatile solution for a wide range of systems.
Currently, thunderbolt 5 functionality is exclusive to Apple’s newest M4 Pro and M4 Max MacBook Pro models, the M4 Pro Mac mini, and the mac Studio.Though, the Express 1M2 80G ensures compatibility with a broader spectrum of existing Mac hardware.
OWC advertises real-world transfer speeds exceeding 6,000 MB/s, rivaling the performance of internal SSDs found in recent MacBook Pro models.While sequential transfer tests may still favor internal drives, the Express 1M2 80G demonstrates comparable speeds and can even surpass them in random read and write operations.
Did You Know? Thunderbolt combines PCI Express and displayport into a single serial signal, enabling data transfer and video output through one port [[3]]?
This makes it an ideal solution for offloading large video projects, running applications directly from external storage, or efficiently managing extensive photo libraries.
The enclosure’s all-aluminum construction serves as a heat sink, ensuring sustained performance without the need for active cooling.
Beyond macOS, OWC confirms compatibility with Windows PCs, iPad Pro devices, Chromebooks, and Microsoft Surface products.
Pricing and Availability
The enclosure is available for purchase at $219, allowing users to install their own NVMe M.2 SSDs up to 8TB. Pre-configured versions are also available, starting at $349 for a 1TB drive and scaling up to $1,299 for an 8TB configuration.
The OWC Express 1M2 80G is currently available for purchase directly from OWC and through Amazon.
Pro Tip: Consider the read/write speeds of your chosen NVMe SSD when configuring the enclosure to maximize performance.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Interface | Thunderbolt 5, Thunderbolt 4, USB4 |
| SSD Support | NVMe M.2 SSD (up to 8TB) |
| Enclosure Price | $219 |
| Pre-configured 1TB | $349 |
| Pre-configured 8TB | $1,299 |
Thunderbolt: A History of Innovation
Thunderbolt technology, initially developed by intel in collaboration with Apple, has consistently pushed the boundaries of data transfer speeds and connectivity. From its origins as “Light Peak” in 2011 [[3]], Thunderbolt has evolved through multiple iterations, each doubling bandwidth and expanding capabilities. The introduction of Thunderbolt 5 represents a notable leap forward, offering even greater performance for demanding applications and workflows. As technology advances, Thunderbolt is expected to remain a crucial interface for connecting high-speed peripherals and external storage solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Thunderbolt 5? Thunderbolt 5 is the latest iteration of the Thunderbolt data transfer standard, offering substantially increased bandwidth and performance compared to previous versions.
- Is the OWC Express 1M2 80G compatible with older Macs? Yes, the enclosure is backward compatible with Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 Macs and PCs.
- what type of SSD does the enclosure support? The enclosure supports NVMe M.2 SSDs up to 8TB in capacity.
- What are the benefits of using an external SSD enclosure? External SSD enclosures provide a portable and convenient way to expand storage capacity and access high-speed storage on the go.
- How does Thunderbolt 5 improve performance? Thunderbolt 5 offers increased bandwidth, enabling faster data transfer speeds and improved performance for demanding applications.
Are you considering upgrading your external storage? What are your biggest storage challenges when working on creative projects?
We hope this article has provided valuable insights into the OWC Express 1M2 80G and the benefits of Thunderbolt 5 technology. Share this article with your network and let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
