OWC launched an 8TB version of its Envoy Ultra Thunderbolt 5 SSD on Monday. Previously, the rugged portable SSD topped out at 4TB. Thanks to Thunderbolt 5, the external solid-state drive can move files at up to 6,000 MBps, making it up to twice as fast as Thunderbolt 4 and USB4.
After doubling the capacity, this is the first 8TB drive with Thunderbolt 5 support.
Access 8TB of data on this portable SDD at blazing fast Thunderbolt 5 speeds
For creative professionals, time is money. Consumers can get by with slower SSDs, but pros need the fastest gear they can get. That’s why Thunderbolt 5 doubles the speed of its predecessor, with a theoretical max of 10,000 MBps.
And why OWC built OWC built Thunderbolt 5 into its Envoy Ultra SSD, though OWC doesn’t claim its drive hits the theoretical max. It promises up to 6,000 MBps, though. The peripheral works with Macs, PCs, iPad Pros and more. For increased compatibility, the drive is also compatible with earlier standards like Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4 and USB4.
When the portable SSD originally launched in fall 2024, it topped out at 4TB. But starting Monday, an 8TB variant is available. Just what professionals need.
Ready to hit the road
“Envoy Ultra is built for people who do not baby their gear. It is rugged, reliable and fast in ways you actually feel in real-world work, not just on a spec sheet. Throw it in a bag… plug it in anywhere… and you’ll get over 6,000MB per second without external power, adapters, or noise,” said Larry O’Connor, OWC’s founder and CEO. “With this — the first and only 8TB Thunderbolt 5 SSD — professionals no longer have to choose between speed, capacity, or portability. That combination of durability, simplicity, and performance is what professionals expect from OWC. And it is why Envoy Ultra delivers the best of Thunderbolt 5 in the palm of your hand.”
The new 8TB variant of the Envoy Ultra Thunderbolt 5 Portable SSD costs $1,699.99.
The OWC Envoy Ultra Thunderbolt 5 SSD is the first and only Thunderbolt 5 drive in the world to offer 8 terabytes of storage. It delivers unparalleled speed, versatility and portability for professionals and enthusiasts alike.
There are also variants with 4TB and 2TB of capacity.
Ed Hardy has been writing full-time about tech for 25 years, and using it for much longer than that. His intro to Apple was a Macintosh Classic II (which he still has), but now he uses a 13-inch iPad Pro as his primary computer. He’s written for NotebookReview, TabletPCReview, and Brighthand, as well as other sites.
