- OWC Envoy Ultra Thunderbolt 5 8TB SSD reaches speeds over 6,000 MB per second
- Bus-powered operation eliminates the need for external adapters or power supplies
- Compatible with Mac, Windows, tablets and other platforms
OWC has announced an 8TB version of its Envoy Ultra Thunderbolt 5 external SSD, expanding a lineup already focused on high-bandwidth portable storage.
According to OWC, this device is the first Thunderbolt 5 external SSD to achieve this capacity while remaining fully bus-powered, without relying on external adapters.
It offers transfer speeds in excess of 6000MB per second under suitable conditions and supports a wide range of modern computing platforms.
Thunderbolt 5 interface
The Envoy Ultra 8TB leverages an internal PCIe Gen4-class architecture coupled with the Thunderbolt 5 interface, which Intel introduced to ease data transfer constraints for demanding workloads.
OWC claims the drive can also squeeze out the maximum possible bandwidth when connected to Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, or USB4 systems.
However, performance varies depending on host hardware.
“Envoy Ultra is…rugged, reliable, and fast like you actually feel in real work, not just on a spec sheet…you’ll get over 6,000 MB per second without external power, adapters, or noise,” said Larry O’Connor, founder and CEO of Other World Computing (OWC).
“With this first and only 8TB Thunderbolt 5 SSD, professionals no longer have to choose between speed, capacity or portability.” he added.
The Envoy Ultra uses a fanless aluminum chassis that passively dissipates heat, eliminating mechanical noise during sustained operation in quiet work environments.
The enclosure features an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, allowing limited exposure to moisture while remaining vulnerable to full submersion.
However, this portable SSD is designed to withstand physical stress during transport.
Power is drawn directly from the host system via an integrated Thunderbolt cable, eliminating the need for external power supplies or detachable adapters during mobile use.
The drive is compatible with Macs, Windows systems, iPad Pros, Chromebooks and Surface devices, allowing use across multiple platforms without separate hardware variants.
“Thunderbolt 5 was designed to remove bottlenecks, giving creators and power users the freedom to work at full speed, wherever they are,” said Ben Hacker, general manager of Intel’s Client Connectivity business.
“OWC’s 8TB Envoy Ultra is a great example of combining Thunderbolt 5 performance with massive capacity and a truly portable design, enabling workflows that were previously impractical.”
The 8TB Envoy Ultra is priced at $1,699.99, significantly higher than the lesser capacity Envoy Ultra Thunderbolt 5 SSD, which starts at $449.99. It is available on the official OWC store and major retail platforms.
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