OWC
OWC ThunderBay 4 Four-Bay Thunderbolt 2 RAID Array Enclosure
Best high-capacity storage for professional 4K video editors.
Elevate your workflow with the OWC ThunderBay 4 mini, a powerful four-bay external storage enclosure designed for demanding tasks like 4K video editing. It supports both SSDs and HDDs, offering flexibility for your storage needs. Pre-configured in RAID 5 for a balance of speed and data protection, it can also be optimized for maximum performance in RAID 0. Dual Thunderbolt 2 ports ensure rapid data transfers up to 20 Gb/s and enable daisy-chaining of multiple devices. Its durable aluminum construction and quiet cooling fan ensure reliable operation.
$379.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
14
/ 188
#14 in Hard Drive Arrays
Price vs Category Average
-82%
Below average
Interface Transfer Rate
220
/ Thunderbolt ( Gb/s)
Who it's for
- Video editors requiring rapid data transfer for high-resolution projects
- Data managers needing flexible storage redundancy and performance options
- Power users building expansive, multi-device professional workstations
Who should skip it
- Owners of modern computers wanting a seamless, adapter-free setup
- Audio engineers working in quiet, sound-sensitive recording environments
- Professionals demanding maximum reliability without taxing host CPU resources
Performance breakdown
Data Transfer Speed
Thunderbolt 2 connectivity delivers impressive throughput for demanding 4K video workflows.
Build Quality
The aluminum unibody construction provides excellent heat dissipation and long-term durability.
RAID Versatility
Flexible configuration options balance high-speed performance with essential data redundancy.
Thermal Management
Active cooling and flow-thru venting keep drives stable during intensive tasks.
Software Integration
SoftRAID software simplifies complex array management for Mac-based creative professionals.
Daisy-Chain Capability
Supports up to six devices, making it a scalable storage backbone.
Key Specs
Interface Transfer Rate
Thunderbolt 2 (20 Gb/s)
Bays
Four (Supports SSD or HDD)
RAID 5 Performance
Read up to 1010 MB/s, Write up to 908 MB/s
RAID 0 Performance
Read up to 1346 MB/s, Write up to 1321 MB/s
Material
Heat-dissipating aluminum unibody shell
Cooling
60mm quiet fan with flow-thru venting
Dimensions
7.6 x 3.8 x 4.6" / 19.3 x 9.7 x 11.7 cm
Weight
2.4 lb / 1.1 kg (no drives)
Features
- Four drive bays for SSD or HDD
- RAID 5 for data safety and performance
- RAID 0 for maximum speed
- Daisy-chain up to six Thunderbolt devices
- Quiet cooling fan for drive longevity
- Durable aluminum unibody shell
- Includes SoftRAID 5 software for Mac
- Compatible with Mac and Windows
What customers say
Professionals highly value the OWC ThunderBay 4 for its exceptional reliability and robust build quality. The sturdy aluminum chassis inspires confidence for critical data storage tasks. Users consistently praise its sustained performance, especially in RAID configurations, which supports demanding video workflows. A key advantage is its quiet and cool operation within studio settings. While setup is straightforward, the main drawback is the older Thunderbolt 2 interface, requiring adapters for modern systems. Despite this technological limitation, the consensus confirms the ThunderBay 4 remains a dependable, high-performing workhorse that justifies its cost through sheer dependability and professional construction.
Know before you buy
While the ThunderBay 4 supports both drive types, it is highly recommended to use drives of the same type, capacity, and speed within a single RAID array to ensure optimal performance and stability.
No, the OWC ThunderBay 4 is sold as an enclosure only. You will need to purchase and install your own 2.5-inch SSDs or HDDs to begin using the device.
RAID 0 stripes data across all drives for maximum speed, but provides no data redundancy if a drive fails. RAID 5 offers a balance of speed and data protection, allowing your system to remain operational even if one drive fails.
Yes, you can connect this Thunderbolt 2 device to a Thunderbolt 3 or 4 port using a certified Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter. Performance will be limited to the Thunderbolt 2 interface speed of 20 Gb/s.
The enclosure features a 60mm quiet fan designed for efficient heat dissipation without significant noise. It is suitable for most studio or office environments where noise levels are a concern.
The SoftRAID software included with the ThunderBay 4 is specifically designed for Mac environments. Windows users can manage RAID configurations through their operating system's native disk management tools.
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$380