Experience Unprecedented Speed and Flexibility with OWC's New Thunderbolt 5 SSD RAID Enclosure
Unleashing the Power of Thunderbolt 5 with OWC's Express 4M2 Ultra
Other World Computing (OWC) has officially unveiled its groundbreaking Express 4M2 Ultra, an advanced SSD RAID enclosure. This device is specifically engineered to combine NVMe M.2 drives with the blistering speeds of Thunderbolt 5 technology, capable of achieving data transfer rates of up to 6,622MB/s. Positioned as a do-it-yourself (DIY) offering, this product is tailored for high-end filmmakers and creative professionals aiming to fully capitalize on the enhanced bandwidth provided by Thunderbolt 5.
Optimized Performance for Creative Professionals and DIY Enthusiasts
While OWC already provides comprehensive solutions like the ThunderBlade X8 RAID array, which comes as a complete, ready-to-use package, the Express 4M2 Ultra offers a more adaptable alternative. It is an ideal choice for professionals who already possess NVMe M.2 SSDs and have recently upgraded to computers featuring Thunderbolt 5 capabilities. This enclosure presents a cost-effective method to unlock the full potential of their existing hardware, ensuring maximum performance for demanding creative tasks.
The Fastest Compact NVMe RAID Solution on the Market
OWC proudly asserts that the Express 4M2 Ultra stands as the swiftest compact DIY NVMe RAID enclosure currently available. In an era where Thunderbolt 5 adoption is still emerging, this claim underscores the device's pioneering position. The company emphasizes that the Express 4M2 Ultra embodies what creative professionals desire most: the freedom to select any NVMe M.2 drive, the versatility to configure storage precisely to their needs, and a significant boost in workflow efficiency through Thunderbolt 5's superior bandwidth.
Configurable Storage and Daisy-Chain Expansion Capabilities
This innovative enclosure can accommodate up to four M.2 2280 or 2242 NVMe SSDs. Users have the flexibility to configure these drives in various RAID modes, including RAID 0, 1, 4, 5, 10, or as JBOD, utilizing either OWC's proprietary SoftRAID utility or other compatible software. The Express 4M2 Ultra is equipped with two Thunderbolt 5 ports, facilitating daisy-chaining of multiple units. Up to six enclosures can be interconnected, supporting a total storage capacity of 32TB per enclosure, expandable to a massive 128TB as a single volume through this expansion method.
Considerations for Power and Cost in High-Capacity Setups
It is important to note that each Express 4M2 Ultra enclosure necessitates its own dedicated power supply. Therefore, integrating multiple units into a desktop setup will require ample power access. While the enclosure itself is affordably priced at around $400, populating it with high-capacity SSDs, such as four 8TB Lexar NM790 drives, can incur significant costs, potentially reaching thousands of dollars for a single unit and substantially more for a daisy-chained system. This investment highlights the high-performance nature of the solution.
Advanced Cooling and Future Availability
Unlike some of OWC's passively cooled SSD products, such as the ThunderBlade X8, the Express 4M2 Ultra features an active cooling system. This design choice addresses the increased power consumption and heat generation associated with NVMe SSDs and Thunderbolt 5, ensuring optimal performance and longevity. OWC assures that the adaptive fan operates quietly. The OWC Express 4M2 Ultra is currently available for pre-order, with shipping anticipated to commence in Q3 2026, offering both non-SoftRAID and SoftRAID-enabled models at different price points.