OWC 8TB Express 1M2 80G USB4 External SSD with USB 4.0 Announced

OWC (Other World Computing) has released the Express 1M2 80G, an 8TB external SSD that targets video professionals working with 8K content and other data-intensive applications. The drive uses USB 4.0 connectivity to achieve transfer speeds up to 6000 MB/s when connected to 80 Gb/s USB 4.0 or Thunderbolt 5 ports.

We all know the drill. Nowadays, cameras can record video at higher resolution and, in many cases, in RAW, too. While this is truly great, the immediate consequence is a requirement for higher storage capacity, and no less important, the recording/storage device needs to be fast. To maintain fast data transfer speeds, good cables are essential. Recently, Nino tested excellent cables from Iodyne (USB 4.0 / Thunderbolt Pro) and from Angelbird (Solid Flex). Those cables ensure that the cables themselves are not the speed bottleneck. Now, OWC comes along and introduces the fast drive itself. Let’s take a closer look at what it can do.

The Express 1M2 80G houses an NVMe M.2 SSD in an aluminum enclosure with passive cooling. The drive maintains backward compatibility with existing systems: 40 Gb/s USB4 and Thunderbolt 4 connections deliver speeds up to 3800 MB/s, while Thunderbolt 3 (Mac only) reaches 2800 MB/s.

Technical specifications

The drive comes preformatted with Apple File System (APFS) for immediate use with macOS 14 and later, plus current iPadOS versions. Windows 11, Chrome OS, and Linux users can reformat the drive as needed. The unit operates on bus power through the included USB4 cable, eliminating the need for external power supplies.

Users can replace or upgrade the internal storage since the enclosure accommodates NVMe SSDs in both 2242 and 2280 form factors. The drive functions as a bootable device on Mac systems only.

Compatibility requirements

Mac systems require Thunderbolt 3/4/5 ports, while iPad Pros need Thunderbolt 4/USB-C connectivity. PC compatibility extends to Windows, Chromebook, and Surface devices with Thunderbolt 4/5 or USB4 ports.

Specific OS requirements vary by connection type. Thunderbolt 5 requires macOS 15.x or later on Mac, and Windows 11 (version 22H2) or later on PC. Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 connections on Apple silicon Macs need macOS 14.x or later, while PC systems require Windows 11. Thunderbolt 3 support remains Mac-exclusive and requires macOS 15.x or later.

Target applications

The Express 1M2 80G addresses workflows in 8K video editing and color grading, high-volume photography, AI/ML development, and game design. The passive cooling design eliminates fan noise while maintaining performance during extended operations like rendering and exports.

OWC positions the drive as suitable for both plug-and-play users and DIY enthusiasts who prefer to install their own NVMe modules. Cross-platform operation between Mac and PC systems is possible using OWC’s MacDrive software, sold separately.

Price and availability

As we can see, the new OWC device is exceptionally flexible as it allows you to choose between a “DIY” (meaning, buy the enclosure only and add storage by yourself) or get up to an 8TB ready-to-run solution. What to expect price-wise? It has all sorts of capacities, and most of them are already available for purchase at B&H. 0TB Enclosure – $219 1TB – $349 2TB – $499, 4TB – $699, 8TB – $1,299

For more information, please visit the OWC site here.

Are you already using the latest technology to benefit from both larger SSD storage and higher transfer speeds? Please share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.