OWC: Thunderbolt 5 SSD including its own stripping
OWC supplies an external SSD with Thunderbolt 5 to match the Mac mini M4 Pro and MacBook Pro M4 Pro and M4 Max. There are also alternatives to Apple's cable.
Envoy Ultra Thunderbolt 5 SSD from OWC: Unfortunately not currently available with 8 TByte.
(Image: OWC)
The new Thunderbolt 5 data transfer standard is coming slowly but mightily: now that Apple will be launching Mac mini M4 Pro and MacBook Pro M4 Pro and M4 Max with the interface from Friday, more and more accessory providers are supplying suitable devices. One of the latest suppliers is the Apple peripherals specialist OWC. It has announced its own SSD with integrated TB5 cable as well as its own TB5 strips, which are already being delivered these days.
Envoy Ultra Thunderbolt 5 SSD: Fast, quiet, only with 4 TByte
The fastest external SSD currently offered by OWC is called the Envoy Ultra Thunderbolt 5 SSD – and the manufacturer proudly announces that it is the first of its kind on the market. It is currently available for pre-order in the USA and is said to deliver twice the maximum throughput of Thunderbolt 4 and USB4: up to 6000 MBytes per second. However, there are only models with 2 TByte (399.99 US dollars plus tax/shipping) and 4 TByte (599.99 dollars plus tax/shipping). It is not yet clear whether there will also be a version with an 8 TByte bar.
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Practical, although problematic in terms of maintainability: A short TB5 cable (20 cm) is already integrated in the aluminum housing, so all you have to do is plug in the SSD. OWC does not provide any information on the weight –. It also remains unclear how hot the housing gets during larger (and above all faster) transfers. Mac & i is currently preparing a test. The Envoy Ultra Thunderbolt 5 SSD, which should also deliver maximum speed with TB3, TB4 and USB4, will be available from mid-November, in line with the availability of the first TB5 Macs.
More choice for Thunderbolt 5 cables
In addition to the first TB5 SSD, OWC also sells its own Thunderbolt 5 cables. The USB-C cables also work with TB3, TB4, USB4 and slower USB-C and can achieve 80 Gb/s gross bidirectionally; the boost is 120 Gb/s as intended for the standard, for example when powering monitors.
OWC supplies three variants: One with 30 cm, one with 80 cm and a 1 m version. The US prices are 19.99, 27.99 and 39.99 dollars (plus tax and shipping). For comparison: Apple wants just under 80 euros for its own TB5 "Pro" cable. The OWC cables are said to be twice as fast as TB4/USB4 cables (with the right hardware), charge up to three 8K displays and transmit up to 240 watts of charging power. Apple's variant is braided, OWC's cable is not. However, a "5" is printed next to the TB lightning symbol so that you can immediately recognize the speed level – Apple's cable is easy to confuse with the TB4 variant if it is not marked.
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