OWC ThunderBay 4 Gets a Major Upgrade with Thunderbolt 5 and Up to 128TB Storage

OWC has given its popular ThunderBay 4 storage solution a major upgrade by adding Thunderbolt 5 connectivity and support for up to 128TB of storage. The updated model is designed for photographers, video editors, content creators, and professional studios that need plenty of storage space and faster access to large files.

The new OWC ThunderBay 4 keeps the familiar four-bay aluminium design while bringing improved connectivity and better performance for demanding storage tasks. It also includes RAID protection features to help keep important files safe.

OWC ThunderBay 4 Brings Faster Thunderbolt 5 Connectivity

One of the biggest improvements is the addition of two Thunderbolt 5 ports. Users get a host connection for their computer and an additional downstream port for connecting other Thunderbolt, USB4, and USB-C devices.

This makes it easier to connect multiple devices without using up all the available ports on a computer. The updated ThunderBay 4 also supports storage configurations of up to 128TB, giving professionals plenty of room for video projects, photos, backups, and other large files.

OWC claims real-world transfer speeds of up to 1,268 MB/s with HDD storage configurations. SSD configurations can reach speeds of up to 1,703 MB/s, making the system suitable for demanding editing and content creation workflows.

Multiple RAID Options and Better Data Protection

The OWC ThunderBay 4 ships pre-configured with RAID 5, which provides protection against a single drive failure. Users can also manage their storage through OWC SoftRAID 9 software, which handles RAID setup and continuously monitors drive health in the background.

For different storage requirements, the enclosure supports RAID 0, 1, 4, 5, 6, 6+, 10, and JBOD configurations. This gives users more flexibility to choose between performance, storage capacity, and data protection.

Another useful feature comes from OWC’s partnership with Strada. It allows remote teams to browse, preview, and edit media stored on the ThunderBay 4 without first uploading files to cloud storage.

Larry O’Connor, Founder and CEO of OWC, said the ThunderBay 4 has remained popular with customers for more than a decade. He added that Thunderbolt 5 brings additional connectivity and flexibility for photographers, production studios, and other creative professionals.

OWC ThunderBay 4 Pricing and Availability

The upgraded OWC ThunderBay 4 with Thunderbolt 5 is now available for pre-order. Shipments are expected to begin next week.

Pricing starts at $549.99 for the empty 0TB version. Pre-configured models with storage capacities of up to 128TB will start at $1,499.99.

With faster connectivity, flexible RAID options, and significantly expanded storage capacity, the new ThunderBay 4 offers a useful upgrade for professionals working with large files and demanding creative projects.