The OWC Envoy Ultra 2 TB external SSD is making waves in the tech world with its incredible Thunderbolt 5 compatibility, setting a new standard for speed by breaking the 6 GB/s sequential speed barrier. This places it shoulder to shoulder with renowned PCIe 4.0 X4 solutions such as the Samsung 980 Pro. With its sleek design and rugged case, this device is all about combining style with resilience; however, it does come with a premium price tag.
OWC currently stands as the lone pioneer offering a 2 TB external SSD equipped with Thunderbolt 5 connectivity. In rigorous testing scenarios, the Envoy Ultra has demonstrated its prowess, occasionally outperforming some of the market’s favored internal options like the Samsung 980 Pro. The Thunderbolt 5 connector boasts an impressive theoretical maximum of 80 Gbps for data transfers, also making it compatible with PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSDs. Nonetheless, if used externally, these drives would max out at approximately 10 GB/s, while top-tier internal PCIe 5.0 NVMe SSDs exceed 14 GB/s. As expected, the price point of $399.99 reflects its cutting-edge technology, and future PCIe 5.0 solutions could further increase costs.
In real-world performance tests, the Envoy Ultra excels in sequential reads, surpassing 6 GB/s effortlessly. While sequential write speeds lag slightly, the drive shines in random operations, where read and write speeds are nearly identical during multi-thread loads. Tests such as PCMark 10 storage bandwidth and the latest storage assessments affirm that the Envoy Ultra slightly outpaces even internal PCIe 4.0 solutions. Furthermore, it performs commendably in the new DirectStorage test by 3DMark.
Beyond its astounding speed, the Envoy Ultra flaunts a durable design complete with an IP66 rating, ensuring its metallic case can endure impacts while providing protection against dust and water. The edges are designed with radiator-like grooves that enhance heat dissipation, and during tests, the drive maintained a cool temperature, not exceeding 45°C.
In summary, the Envoy Ultra stands out as an exceptionally fast external SSD with a sleek and rugged design. However, its premium price might not fit every budget. To fully exploit its 6 GB/s capabilities, a Thunderbolt 5 port is essential, which is currently found only on high-end devices.
