Overview
OWC Express 4M2: High-Speed, Customisable NVMe RAID for Creatives
Experience unparalleled performance and flexibility with the OWC Express 4M2 Four-Slot USB4 External Storage Enclosure. Designed for creative professionals and tech enthusiasts, this compact powerhouse transforms your workflow by delivering lightning-fast speeds, robust reliability, and versatile compatibility, all tailored to enhance your productivity and peace of mind.
Unleash Blazing-Fast Performance
With real-world speeds reaching up to 3200MB/s, the Express 4M2 ensures your data transfers, backups, and editing tasks are completed in record time. If you're handling 8K RAW video, managing high-resolution photo batches, or performing rapid media card offloads, this enclosure empowers you to work efficiently, keeping you ahead of deadlines and focused on your creative vision.
Seamless Compatibility Across Platforms
The Express 4M2 integrates effortlessly with USB4, Thunderbolt, and USB-C Macs and PCs, offering unmatched versatility for diverse workflows. From filmmakers collaborating on set to a video editors working in a mixed-platform environment, this enclosure adapts to every setup, ensuring smooth cross-platform performance with OWC's MacDrive software (sold separately) for seamless file sharing.
Customise Your Storage with Ease
Take control of your storage needs with the flexibility to use any NVMe M.2 2230, 2242, or 2280 SSDs, including OWC Aura SSDs with up to 8TB per drive. The Express 4M2 supports future upgrades, so when larger-capacity drives become available, you can easily boost your storage to meet evolving demands, ensuring long-term value and adaptability.
Advanced RAID Capabilities with SoftRAID
Included with the Express 4M2, SoftRAID software offers powerful tools to create and manage RAID 0, 1, 4, 5, or 1+0 (10) configurations, optimising speed and data protection. With predictive health monitoring and seamless cross-platform sharing, SoftRAID ensures your data remains secure and accessible.
Built for Reliability and Comfort
Crafted from aircraft-grade aluminium, the Express 4M2 provides rugged protection for your NVMe M.2 SSDs while efficiently dissipating heat to maintain consistent performance. Smart, adaptive fans activate only when needed, delivering near-silent operation, ideal for quiet studios or on-set environments.
- Experience lightning-fast data transfers with up to 3200MB/s real-world performance, enabling you to complete high-resolution video edits and large file backups in minutes
- Customise your storage with any NVMe M.2 2230, 2242, or 2280 SSDs, giving you the freedom to tailor capacity up to 32TB and adapt to future drive upgrades for long-term reliability
- Work distraction-free with near-silent operation, thanks to smart adaptive fans that activate only under heavy load, ensuring your creative focus remains uninterrupted during critical tasks
- Seamlessly integrate with USB4, Thunderbolt, and USB-C Macs and PCs, and make cross-platform workflows effortless for collaborative projects
- Protect your data with SoftRAID’s advanced RAID 0/1/4/5/1+0 configurations and predictive health monitoring, ensuring your irreplaceable files are secure and accessible
- Rely on aircraft-grade aluminium construction for superior heat dissipation, maintaining consistent performance during intensive 8K video editing or media offloads without thermal throttling
- Simplify on-set workflows with a compact design and included stand, allowing stable, high-speed media card backups for filmmakers and DITs under tight deadlines
- Boost productivity with the included USB-C 40Gb/s cable, delivering instant connectivity and maximum throughput for demanding tasks like VFX compositing or batch photo editing
Compatibility
Compatible with the devices listed below.
MacBook Air
MacBook Pro
Mac Pro
iMac
Mac mini
Mac Studio
Specifications
- Drive Bays
-
- 4 bays supporting: M.2 SSDs
- Supports single-sided and double-sided M.2 2280, M.2 2242, M.2 2230 "M Key" drives
- NVMe SSDs with a heatsink are not supported
- Each bay offers PCIe 4.0 x1 performance
- Single drive performance up to 1600MB/s
- Hot Plug Support
-
- Yes
- Boot Support
-
- All four drive bays are bootable on macOS. SSDs with 512 byte sectors require macOS 10.13 or later. Boot Camp is not supported
- RAID Capable
-
- Yes
- RAID Levels Supported
-
- RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 4, RAID 5, RAID 10, JBOD
- RAID Features
-
- Software RAID
- Device Ports
-
- 1 x host port - USB4 (USB-C) up to 40Gb/s (5000MB/s) - USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C) up to 10Gb/s (1250MB/s) backwards compatible
- Data Transfer Rate (Maximum)
-
- USB4: up to 40Gb/s (or 5000MB/s)
- USB 3.2 Gen 2: up to 10Gb/s (or 1250MB/s)
- Chipset / Controller
-
- USB4: Asmedia ASM-2464PDX
- MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures)
-
- Varies depending on drive mechanism installed
- Host Interface Requirements
-
- Works with any USB 3.2 Gen 2 (USB-C) and later
- Thunderbolt 3 and later equipped Mac, PC, or Linux system
- Mac OS Compatibility
-
- macOS 14.x Sonoma
- macOS 15.x Sequoia
- PC OS Compatibility
-
- Windows 10 32-bit Edition
- Windows 10 64-bit Edition
- Windows Server 2019
- Windows Server 2016
- Windows Server 2022
- Windows 11
- Driver Required
-
- No
- Other Requirements
-
- When using one or more SSDs with 512 byte sectors, macOS 10.13 or later is required
- SoftRAID works with macOS 10.14 or later and Windows 10 or later. SoftRAID is licensed per computer. The SoftRAID serial number will work with both Mac and Windows but can only be active on one computer at a time. Additional seats can be purchased. RAID 4/1+0 (10) are currently Mac only at this time
- External Power Adapter
-
- Yes
- Power Supply
-
- External UL-listed universal auto-switching power supply
- AC Input
-
- 100-240V, 50-60Hz, 1.5A
- DC Output
-
- +12V, 4A
- Fans
-
- 2 x 40 mm 4,000RPM cooling fans
- Certifications
-
- CE, FCC, UKCA, ICES, RCM, VCCI
- Dimensions
-
- H: 139 x L: 178 x W: 60 mm
- Weight
-
- 1800 g
What's in the box?
- 1 x OWC Express 4M2
- 1 x 0.7 m USB-C Cable
- 1 x External Power Supply
- 1 x Power Cable
- 1 x 3 Years of SoftRAID Premium Access
Warranty
- 2 Year Limited Warranty
Part Number
- OWCUS4EXP4M2S