Articles about OWC

Other World Computing has launched the OWC Express 1M2 80G, a portable SSD that brings USB4 80Gb/s performance to creators, mobile professionals, and gamers. The drive delivers real-world peak speeds of over 6000MB/s in a compact fanless design, making it one of the fastest palm-sized storage solutions available today.

The new device offers users two options: a do-it-yourself enclosure that supports standard NVMe drives, or ready-to-run configurations with capacities up to 8TB. Both options are upgradeable, allowing buyers to replace the drive later with larger or faster SSDs.

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Other World Computing (OWC) has announced the general availability of two HDMI display adapters designed to make it easier for users to expand their screen real estate without the performance drawbacks of juggling multiple dongles.

The new OWC USB-C Quad HDMI 4K Adapter and a redesigned OWC USB-C Dual HDMI 4K Adapter are now available, priced at $149.99 and $69.99 respectively.

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If you have a cluttered desktop full of dongles and adapters, OWC might just have your next upgrade. You see, the company has announced its brand-new Thunderbolt 5 Dock, and it’s looking like a an awesome tool for both professionals and home users. For instance, it allows you to connect up to three 8K displays (or two 6K screens on a Mac).

The dock supports Thunderbolt 5, 4, and 3, as well as USB4 and USB-C. So whether you’re using newer gear or hanging on to older devices, it’s got you covered. And with up to 140W of power delivery, it can keep even demanding laptops charged.

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OWC has announced the release of its Envoy Ultra Thunderbolt 5 SSD, which is now available for pre-order and will start shipping in October. This cutting-edge SSD is designed to work seamlessly with Mac and PC devices equipped with Thunderbolt 5, Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, and USB4.

The Envoy Ultra Thunderbolt 5 SSD is engineered for both professionals and enthusiasts. It offers speeds surpassing 6000MB/s, doubling the performance of Thunderbolt 4 and USB4. The device optimizes performance across Thunderbolt 5, Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, and USB4 machines, making it capable of handling both daily tasks and pro-level creative projects.

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Last year, in the beginning of 2021, we told you about the Envoy Pro FX -- an external solid state drive from OWC. What made this particular SSD special was its use of two chipsets to maximize compatibility with both Thunderbolt and regular USB-C. The drive even comes with a dongle to make it compatible with USB-A.

And now, in 2022, OWC is giving the Envoy Pro FX a capacity boost. While the SSD remains the same in all other ways, as of today, it can now be had with a 4TB capacity option. Previously, the drive was limited to 240GB, 480GB, 1TB, and 2TB sizes. As you can see, 4TB is a pretty significant increase.

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Everybody loves USB flash drives, so it's a good thing there's no shortage of them on the market. If you want a flash drive, you can absolutely find one in stores -- unlike baby formula. There are many makes and models of USB flash drives with various capacities and transfer speeds, but of course, not all of them are of good quality.

With all of that said, only one flash drive can truly be the coolest ever. Today, OWC launches a drive that could be the one. Called "Envoy Pro mini," it is a tiny portable SSD that offers both USB-C and USB-A connectivity. In other words, the high-quality drive will work with pretty much any computer. Best of all, the beautifully engineered USB drive looks to be built like a tank and offers very impressive performance of up to 946MB/s!

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All USB and Thunderbolt cables are not created equally. Since these cables can carry both power and data, it can be quite foolish (and potentially dangerous) to choose one that is low-quality. The problem, however, is it can be hard to know which cables on the market are worth your time. You see, a higher price does not necessarily mean a cable is of good quality or safe to use.

OWC is aiming to solve this dilemma by releasing a premium Thunderbolt 4 / USB-C cable on which consumers can fully depend. In other words, you will be able to buy this cable and be confident that it meets all specifications and certifications. In fact, it is certified for up to 8K video, up to 100 watts power delivery, and up to 40Gb/s data transfer. Yeah, this a very nice cable, folks!

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Do photographers and videographers still use SD cards? Yes. In fact, I would guess that most do. However, the writing is on the wall, and the faster CFexpress Type B memory cards are obviously the future. Those with cutting-edge camera equipment are already enjoying the benefits of these superior cards.

The problem? Most computers, including the newest MacBook Pro laptops, do not come with integrated readers for these cards. And so, consumers must invest in external readers. Today, OWC unveils what it says is the "smallest Thunderbolt CFexpress card reader." Called "Atlas FXR," it connects using Thunderbolt 3/4 to provide insane speeds. It is also compatible with USB-C and comes with a USB-A adapter. In addition, the company is releasing its own line of CFexpress Type B memory cards called "Atlas Pro" and "Atlas Pro Ultra."

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Solid state drives make wonderful internal boot drives for computers, but they are also great options for external storage too. Not only are they often smaller than mechanical hard disk drives, but they also use less power and are much quicker. With that said, sometimes hard disk drives can be a good option for external storage -- depending on your needs and budget, of course.

Today, OWC launches its latest portable storage drive. Called "Mercury Elite Pro mini," this elegant storage solution has a USB-C port and ships with both a USB-C cable and USB-A adapter. In other words, it can be used with any modern computer -- whether it has a USB Type-C port or not. In fact, the company says the drive is compatible with Mac, Windows, and Linux-based operating systems, including Android and Chrome OS.

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Is the newest Mac mini (2020) a good computer? No. Actually, it is a great computer! Thanks to Apple's incredibly efficient ARM-based M1 processor, the low-priced Mac mini is shockingly powerful while being almost entirely quiet. I say "almost" because it technically has a fan that can make noise, but I have personally never heard mine spin up once -- even when pushing it fairly hard. I highly recommend the diminutive desktop.

Is the Mac mini perfect? Well, no. For instance, it is heavily lacking in the ports department. Besides HDMI, 3.5mm audio, and Ethernet, it only has two USB-A and two Thunderbolt 4 ports for expandability. Plug in a wired mouse and keyboard, and you now have zero available USB ports. Ugh. Not to mention, you cannot add additional internal storage drives.

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See that graphics card? Actually, it is not a GPU at all! While it does have a x16 PCIe connector, it is a solid state drive -- sort of. Actually, it technically is not a drive itself, but instead, a card that you plug SSDs into. Called "Accelsior 8M2," it can be had with up to 64TB of storage pre-installed with an insane performance of up to 26,000MB/s.

Yeah, the actively cooled OWC Accelsior 8M2 is an absolute beast. In fact, the company claims it is the "world’s fastest and highest capacity PCIe SSD." With that said, you will need a pretty modern computer to truly take advantage of the high-end performance. You see, a desktop with a PCIe 4.0 x16 slot will be necessary to achieve the promised top speeds. It will be compatible with previous generation PCIe x16 slots, just not at full speed.

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When it comes to Mac accessories, OWC is one of the most respected makers out there. With that said, the company's products are not limited to Apple devices. In other words, if you have a Windows computer, for instance, many OWC offerings will work without issue.

Today, OWC launches a really cool new adapter that converts a single Thunderbolt 3/4 port into dual DisplayPort. This will enable a compatible Mac or Windows computer to output video to two external displays for optimal productivity. Sadly, due to a limitation of Apple's M1 processor, its newest MacBooks powered by that ARM chip will be limited to a single video output. Hopefully the next generation of Mac laptops with the rumored M1X processor will offer better multi-monitor support.

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When disasters happen, such as a flood, it can be devastating to lose belongings -- especially expensive computers. While laptops and desktops can be replaced, the data housed on them often cannot. That's why it can be smart to back up your data to both the cloud and a rugged external drive. Redundancy is key to protecting your cherished photos, videos, and more.

Speaking of rugged external storage, today, OWC launches a very durable new portable solid state drive. Called "Envoy Pro SX," the Thunderbolt 4 SSD is insanely fast and is compatible with both Windows and Mac. More importantly, it is is built like a tank -- OWC says the drive is certified to not only be water resistant, but dustproof and drop-proof too. Nice!

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Buying a cable should be an easy task, but believe it or not, it isn't always. In fact, with USB Type-C and Thunderbolt cables, consumers often buy the wrong things. Even worse, many of these cables are out of spec, meaning they can damage your devices or malfunction. This is why you should avoid "no-name" brands, although even some reputable brands have been known to sell poor cables.

OWC is a brand that I trust very much, and apparently, it has had enough of the nonsense surrounding these cables. You see, the company has launched a high-quality universal Thunderbolt 4 / USB-C Cable that should work with all devices that use the USB-C connector. In other words, you can buy it without worry -- it has full certification for both power and data.

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When Apple revealed its own ARM-based M1 processor, it changed everything. You see, Apple Silicon performance didn't just meet consumer expectations, it exceeded it by far. Yes, the M1 processor is a magic-like chip that is shockingly capable while sipping electricity -- battery life on M1 MacBook laptops is impressive. Apple deserves major props for its willingness to cut ties with Intel and forge its own path.

With all of the hype surrounding the M1 processor, I decided to buy my own Mac mini powered by the chip. It was quite inexpensive, priced under $700, so I felt comfortable diving into this new Apple Silicon world. After all, I am primarily a desktop Linux user -- I wasn't interested in spending thousands of dollars on my own curiosity.

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