OWC Thunderbolt 5 SSD gets first review, and yes, it can reach 48Gbps – making it the fastest portable single-drive SSD you can buy
- The Envoy Ultra Thunderbolt 5 is easy to transport
- The new SSD offers 2x transfer speeds over previous models
- Initial testing shows that OWC’s Envoy Ultra Thunderbolt 5 delivers top performance
The first reviews of OWC’s new external SSD with built-in Thunderbolt 5 connectivity show promising possibilities for users.
The Envoy Ultra Thunderbolt 5 portable SSD, available in 2TB and 4TB sizes, offers ultra-fast transfer speeds of up to 6,000 MB/s, which represents a significant improvement over previous iterations.
All told, the new portable SSD offers transfer speeds up to two times faster than Thunderbolt 4, the company revealed.
Envoy Ultra Thunderbolt 5 SSD: What You Need to Know
In one statement at the launchOWC founder and CEO Larry O’Connor said Thunderbolt 5 technology “sets a new standard for performance and easy connectivity” and will deliver huge performance benefits for business users and professionals.
With a Thunderbolt 5 interface, OWC’s new SSD offers bi-directional bandwidth up to 80 Gbps, which equates to 10,000 MB/s, at the top end of the scale.
The SSD also supports dual 8K monitors in addition to 240W charging options.
Versatility is a big talking point for the new SSD, according to OWC, as it works with Macs, PCs, iPad Pros, Chromebooks and Surface devices. Likewise, the SSD is dustproof, waterproof and shockproof, meaning users can easily transport it while reducing the potential risk of damage.
On that front, it’s also a slim, lightweight SSD, measuring 71 x 198 x 20mm and weighing around 327 grams.
Prices for the new Envoy Ultra Thunderbolt 5 SSD start at $399 and $599 for the 2TB and 4TB models, respectively.
Testing by PC watch highlighted the performance capabilities of OWC’s new SSD. Using a Razer Blade 18 gaming laptop equipped with Thunderbolt 5, testing the recorded sequential read speed of 6,056.81 MB/s, which is better than advertised base speeds.
The sequential write speed was also remarkable, at 4,213.83 MB/s.
Users also don’t have to worry about possible overheating with this model, as the maximum temperatures during use are 42°C/107.6°F.
Testers also noted that the SSD “was only slightly warm to the touch,” and despite being a fanless device, had remarkable heat dissipation.
