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If you’re on the market to build the fastest possible external storage device, Other World Computing (OWC) today unveiled something that might pique your interest: the OWC Express 4M2 USB4 enclosure.
The new storage device appears to have enough to deliver both flexibility and performance.
OWC Express 4M2 USB4 enclosure: Flexible and fast
As the name suggests, this enclosure is designed to hold up to four NVMe SSDs via four M.2 slots. You can then use them separately or together in a RAID setup to deliver the fastest possible performance via a USB4 (or Thunderbolt) connection.
OWC states that the new Express 4M2 can accommodate SSDs of all standard designs, including 2230, 2242, and 2280 form factors. It also features all standard RAID levels applicable to four drives, including RAID 0, 1, 4, 5, and 10. Depending on the configuration, the enclosure can deliver up to 3200MB/s of real-world speed via a USB4 or Thunderbolt. It also features a USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) mode to be compatible with existing legacy USB standards.
What’s also worth noting is that the new enclosure features an aircraft-grade aluminum shell and includes “smart fans” to maintain a cool and quiet operation. This thermal design is particularly significant if you plan to use PCIe Gen 5 SSDs, which typically generate a significant amount of heat.
To sum up, the new OWC Express 4M2 USB4 enclosure’s highlights include:
- Fast performance: Up to 3200MB/s real-world data rates.
- Highly Compatible: The device supports USB4 (and older USB standard), Thunderbolt, and works with both Windows and macOS.
- Near-Silent Operation: Smart, adaptive fans that activate only when needed or under heavy load.
- DIY Easy: Holds four NVMe SSDs of M.2 2230, 2242, or 2280 designs
- RAID Ready: Supports RAID 0/1/4/5/1+0 (10) tool, Apple Disk Utility RAID, Windows Disk Management RAID, Windows Storage Spaces, and OWC SoftRAID
OWC Express 4M2 USB4 enclosure: Hardware specifications
| OWC Express 4M2 USB4 Enclosure | |
|---|---|
| Chipset / Controller | USB4: Asmedia ASM-2464PDX |
| Dimensions | Height: 13.9 cm (5.5 in) Length: 17.8 cm (7.0 in) Width: 6.0 cm (2.4 in) |
| Weight | 1.8 kg (3.97 lbs) |
| Drive Bays | Four bays supporting M.2 “M-Key” SSDs (2280, 2242, 2230) |
| RAID Levels Supported | RAID 0 RAID 1 RAID 4 RAID 5 RAID 10 JBOD |
| RAID Features | Software RAID |
| Data Transfer Rate (real-world) | 3200MB/s |
| Port | 1x USB-C as Thunderbolt 3, USB4 (40Gbps), or USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10Gbps) |
| Compatibility | macOS 14 or later Windows 10 and later |
| Driver Required | No |
| Power Specs | Input (AC): 100-240V, 50-60Hz, 1.5A Output (DC): +12V, 4A Consumption: 48W |
| Warranty | 2-year |
Availability and pricing
OWC says that the new OWC Express 4M2 USB4 enclosure is now available for pre-order and will begin shipping next week. It’s slated to cost $239.9 (diskless) or $379.99 with 3 years of SoftRAID included. The new enclosure comes with a 2-year warranty and includes a fast USB-C (Thunderbolt) cable to work right out of the box.
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