When you understand how hot M.2 SSD modules like the ones inside the ThunderBlade can get, keeping it cool is no small feat. Opening the 8TB version of the OWC ThunderBlade reveals the controller, four M.2 form-factor NVMe SSDs, and lots and lots of thermal material to help keep the individual drives cool. I’m not usually a fan of bright LED lights, but I must admit that OWCs implementation is well-thought-out and looks sleek when contrasted with the industrial black chassis. Next to the power input you’ll find an ambient light sensor that allows the unit to dim its LED indicator lights at night. Watch our video above for a demonstration. Each of the four SSDs inside the ThunderBlade are assigned a section of the light bar, and will flash accordingly based on activity. But this is an illusion thanks to the diffusion inside the case. There’s a thin blue activity light bar on the front of the ThunderBlade that appears as one continuous light. On the rear of the unit you’ll find a barrel input for the power connector, along with dual Thunderbolt 3 ports that allow for daisy-chain setups. At less than an inch tall, nearly 5-inches wide, and 7.5-inches long, it’s a low profile, sleek-looking device that’s different from most SSDs out there. The ThunderBlade features an industrial metal design with an all-black chassis and 23 fins going down the length of the unit.
#SOFTRAID REVIEW PORTABLE#
I opted to use my iMac Pro instead of a portable Mac like the MacBook Air because of its dual Thunderbolt 3 bus (more on that later).
Just connect to power and connect the Thunderbolt 3 cable to your Mac. Setting up the ThunderBlade is as easy as it gets. The case includes a single ThunderBlade unit, power supply, power cable, 0.5m Thunderbolt 3 cable, and getting-started documentation. Inside the hard-shell case, you’ll find everything you need nestled comfortably inside protective foam inserts. OWC ships its ThunderBlade in a lockable, custom-fit ballistic hard-shell case, which not only looks awesome, but is handy for portability and protecting the drive while traveling. Subscribe to 9to5Mac on YouTube for more videos OWC ThunderBlade unboxing and set up Special thanks to Skylum, creators of Luminar 3 for sponsoring 9to5Mac on YouTube.
#SOFTRAID REVIEW PROFESSIONAL#
It’s admittedly overkill for some users, but if you’re a creative professional who needs the best of the best, then the OWC ThunderBlade is one of the most impressive external storage offerings available today. The ThunderBlade is OWC’s fastest offering - a single drive provides storage up to 8TB and speeds up to 2800 MB/s read - and they can be daisy chained, set up in a RAID configuration, and they are silent. This is the crème de la crème of fast external storage, and it’s produced by OWC, a company at the forefront of storage and Thunderbolt 3 accessories for Mac. There are external SSDs, and then there is the ThunderBlade.
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