Other World Computing (OWC) has released a new version of its speedy Thunderbolt Shuttle and edition RAID SSD, offering an even faster experience.
The new ThunderBlade X8 is designed to meet the needs of professionals who require high-speed data transfer, such as video editors and photographers. Its predecessor, which is still available for purchase, is considered one of the fastest external SSDs on the market, but the ThunderBlade up to 2826 MB/s.
Delivers a capacity and efficiency increase of more than 16% performance in redundant RAID 4 and 5 configurations with all Apple Silicon computers (M1 and later).
Up to 32TB of storage
The ThunderBlade
Despite its sleek, rugged design, which features a high-quality aluminum casing for durability, the Thunderblade X8 is surprisingly quiet due to its fanless, heat-dissipating design. The integrated cooling system with fin design makes it suitable for use while traveling and even comes with a ballistic hard case for transport.
Thunderblade X8 is available in three capacities: 8TB, 16TB, and 32TB. The top model has room for up to eight 4TB 2242 M.2 NVMe drives. While the maximum capacity of 32TB will be enough for most users, professionals dealing with massive amounts of data may find it limiting.
“OWC set a new standard for external drive capabilities with the original ThunderBlade, with breakthrough speeds, reliability and rugged portability,” said OWC Founder and CEO Larry O'Connor.
“The latest ThunderBlade builds on this legacy, improving performance, total usable storage, and even ruggedness, allowing creative professionals to achieve more with rock-solid data protection.”
In terms of price, the Thunderblade X8 is inevitably on the higher end. The 8TB model is priced at $1,749.99, while the 16TB model will set you back $2,749.99. Pricing for the 32TB model has yet to be announced, but we'd expect it to be a little above $6,000. The corresponding ETA is currently listed as “spring 2024”.
Pre-orders are now open at macsales.com. The product comes with a 3-year OWC limited warranty.
