Other World Computing (OWC) has introduced the Express 4M2 enclosure, designed specifically for creative professionals who require fast and reliable external storage. This new enclosure features USB4 support, superior cooling capabilities, and flexible RAID options, all packed into a compact, near-silent design. It targets users involved in demanding tasks such as 8K video editing, multi-camera offloads, and large batch processing, making it an essential tool for content creators. The Express 4M2 can accommodate up to four NVMe SSDs in formats like 2230, 2242, or 2280.
When connected via USB4 or Thunderbolt 3 or 4 ports, it achieves impressive real-world speeds of up to 3,200 MB/s. To ensure optimal performance while maintaining a quiet operation, the enclosure is equipped with adaptive smart fans that activate only under heavy loads. Combined with a robust aircraft-grade aluminum chassis designed for passive cooling, it minimizes thermal throttling and unwanted noise during lighter workflows. Moreover, the Express 4M2 supports various RAID configurations, including RAID 0, 1, 4, 5, and 1+0, facilitated by OWC’s SoftRAID software, Apple Disk Utility, or Windows RAID tools.
This versatility provides users with options for high-speed data access, redundancy, or a combination of both. Mac users with Apple Silicon or Intel-based systems from 2020 onward can fully leverage the enclosure’s performance. While older Macs with USB 3.2 will still be compatible, they will experience reduced speeds nearing 1,000 MB/s. The OWC Express 4M2 is currently available for preorder, starting at $239.99 for the empty enclosure.
A bundle that includes a three-year license for OWC’s SoftRAID software is priced at $379.99. It supports high-performance NVMe SSDs, like OWC’s Aura series, which can facilitate capacities up to 8TB per module, with support for larger drives expected in the future.
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