OWC Express 1M2 2TB: 30-second review

The OWC Express 1M2 is quite unique in the field of best external hard drives for several reasons. The first is that its available as an enclosure or as a ready-to-go storage solution, with a choice of capacities from 1 to 8TB. Then there's the look and styling that has been created to ensure that the drive inside remains cool, however demanding a task you have the drive working through. Those tasks can be anything from processing a range of spreadsheets or, more likely, being the hub of a video production or photoshoot. 

The aluminium outer casing has essentially been built as one large heat sink to ensure that even after hours of continued use, the drive remains fast and that any effects of thermal throttling are kept to a minimum. The design also means that there are no fans, so the drive runs nice and silent, no matter the load. The drive also incorporates the latest connection technology and offers transfer rates of up to 3151MB/s in real-world tests; this is well beyond the scope of most portable hard drives. Usually, these speeds are only reached by internal drives or dedicated working external systems. 

As with other OWC drives, the setup process is easy and essentially involves a plug-and-play approach with a single cable that connects the drive to the computer, providing both power and data transfer. The connection type is USB-C (40Gb/s), which is one of the fastest connections out there and will enable the smooth data transfers needed for 4 and 8-K video editing.

While the drive comes APFS formatted, you do have the option to use the OWC Drive Guide (Mac) software that's included on the drive to change the format to an older Mac file system or ExFat for cross-compatibility with Windows. As the drive is Mac formatted, it won't initially be viewable or accessible on a PC; however, the drive can be formatted in that ExFat format using the OWC Drive Guide (Mac) on a Mac, or you can download the trial of the OWC MacDrive software to access the disk and format it to the correct file format for use. 

When it comes to size the drive is slightly larger than most of the best portable SSDs we've tested; however, with the performance that it offers, that's not an issue, and while it may be a touch larger, it's still relatively lightweight. Using the drive for editing 4K video on Final Cut Pro X, the speed and ease of use is seamless with no reliability issues, with the drive providing the performance that you would usually expect from an internal SSD. 

OWC Express 1M2 2TB: Price & availability

The OWC Express 1M2 is a premium price for its capacity, but this is balanced by the build quality and performance, which is pretty much unmatched in the market. It's available directly from OWC's website and through various authorised retailers. Prices vary depending on the storage capacity chosen, with options ranging up to 8TB. The drive includes a three-year warranty for the complete solution or two years for the enclosure.

• Score: 4/5

OWC Express 1M2 2TB: Design & build

A glance at the OWC Express 1M2, and you could easily mistake it for a huge heat sink, with its full aluminium build and gill-like design that helps to dissipate the heat. The Aluminium used is of aircraft-grade quality and, therefore, provides strength and protection around the internal SSD even when thrown in a kit back with little to no other protection. In our review sample, which is at the lower end of the capacity options, there's fitted a 2TB SSD, but there are other options at 1, 2, 4, or 8TB. The design of the drive also means that it's available with a drive installed or empty.

While the drive's full metal build gives it a strong and robust design and feel, measuring 23mm (0.9 in), length 132 mm (5.2 in), and width 70 mm (2.8 in), it does feel relatively light at 253.0 g (0.56 lbs) and this helps to ensure that it remains highly portable. 

On the base  are two long rubber pads that help it to stay in position, which can be useful when working out in the field, and surface space is often at a premium. Under one of these feet are the screws that enable you to replace the SSD with a larger capacity if you require it in the future. 

On the back is the USB Type-C port. This is a USB4, up to 40 Gb/s (or 5000 MB/s), which is far in excess of most standard portable SSDs and further highlights that this drive is focused towards high-demand applications such as video, audio, and photography. 

Inside the box, along with the drive, is a USB-C cable. While the drive is USB 4, it is fully backwards compatible with any compatible connector, although the maximum transfer speeds will vary depending on the device.

• Design & build: 5/5

OWC Express 1M2 2TB: Features

The OWC Express 1M2 is a portable SSD design with ultra-fast performance and reliability at its heart, and as such, it is able to reach up to 3151MB/s, as quoted by OWC, in real-world scenarios. This speed should ensure that larger files, projects, and applications can be handled smoothly with a performance that is similar, if not the same, to that of your internal SSD. This will make it an ideal solution for video editing as well as any other task that requires a large amount of data to be accessed, written to, or moved at speed. 

Our review sample arrived pre-configured with 2TB storage, which is one of OWC's superb NVMe Aura SSDs. However, you can also build your drive to your specifications with support for various NVMe M.2 SSD sizes (2230, 2242, and 2280).

While most high-demand applications have traditionally been confined to the Studio or Office, the speed and performance of the USB4, Thunderbolt, and USB-C connections allow most equipped laptops to make the most of the capacity and speed out in the field. With the drive's BUS-powered connection, only one cable is needed for both power and data making it an easy solution for use out in the field.

As the drive has been designed to be portable at a professional level, the outer casing made from aircraft-grade Aluminium serves a dual purpose. It offers rugged protection for the SSD while maintaining silence, and the metal design also acts as an effective cooling system that will help sustain top speeds. 

Finally, the drive is backed by a three-year warranty or a two-year warranty for the enclosure.

• Features 4/5

OWC Express 1M2 2TB: Performance

Getting started with the OWC Express 1M2 is easy enough with the plug-and-play nature when used on Mac systems, meaning that it's ready to go. However, the onboard "OWC Drive Guide (Mac)" recommends fresh formatting provided by the software, and this enables you to select from four options: to stay with APFS, use the older HFS, go for ExFat for cross-compatibility with PCs, or to do it manually. 

In this test, we started with the APFS option and then used Disk Utility to reformat the drive in the ExFat for use on your PC. If you're a PC user, you will need a Mac to reformat the drive to a PC-recognisable format. Alternatively, you can use the OWC MacDrive software trial to help you get started. This software essentially enables you to see Mac Drive on a PC and is very useful if you're used to using both systems

When it came to the benchmark tests, the OWC Express 1M2 delivers exceptional performance, making it ideal for various professional and creative tasks. With read speeds of 3002MB/s and write speeds of 2994MB/s in AJA System Test Lite, it handles large file transfers and data-intensive tasks with ease. ATTO results show even higher read speeds of 3130MB/s and write speeds of 3200MB/s, confirming its capability for high-speed data processing. The AmorphousDiskMark scores, with read speeds of 3203.26MB/s and write speeds of 2608.04MB/s, further highlight its suitability for demanding applications such as Final Cut Pro X and DaVinci Resolve.

For creative professionals, the Express 1M2 is well-suited for tasks such as video editing, where the high read and write speeds are essential to ensure smooth playback and quick rendering of 4K and higher resolution video if you're a photographer. The ability to handle large RAW file transfers and quick access times is ideal for backup and fast access and saves when using Photoshop. Audio professionals will also appreciate the fast data access and transfer rates for managing large audio files and multitrack sessions.

In an office setting, the 1M2'sss 1M2's high-speed performance, while nice to have, could be seen as a little overkill. File transfers and data backups are faster, but in reality, there are far cheaper solutions out there that will do the job at the speed you need. 

Overall, the OWC 1M2'sss 1M2's benchmarks are impressive and highlight that it is an excellent choice for creative users who need reliable and fast portable storage for video, audio, and photography. 

• Performance: 5/5

Should you buy the OWC Express 1M2 2TB?

The OWC Express 1M2 is a superb portable SSD, offering some of the fastest transfer rates for this size of drive on the market. Not only that, but the build quality is superb. This impressive speed and rugged build make it a perfect choice for professionals and creatives who require reliable, high-performance storage on the go. The higher price point is justified by its quality and features, making it a worthwhile investment, but for office users, this builds quality, and performance could be a lot better.

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OWC Envoy Pro Mini: 30-second review

The OWC Envoy Pro Mini takes a different approach to storage than most of the best portable SSDs we've tried - offering the capacity and speed of an external SSD in the compact form of a USB stick. The high-quality full aluminium build not only gives it a premium feel but also ensures durability. The design features a flip-over protective lid that enables you to switch from USB Type-A to Type-C connectors quickly. Our review unit features a 256GB capacity with the full line-up ranging from 256GB to 2TB of storage. Transfer rates up to 946MB/s are also impressive, which means that the OWC Envoy Pro Mini is ideal for mass storage and can be used as a working drive.

However, there could be some drawbacks to consider. The compact size, while convenient, could also make it easy to misplace. Additionally, as the drive is so small, it's likely to get hot during intensive use, such as video editing, which could impact performance. So the question is, will the OWC Envoy Pro Mini be able to deliver its full potential as one of the most compact and portable hard drives on the market?

OWC Envoy Pro Mini: Price & availability

The OWC Envoy Pro Mini is available for purchase directly from the OWC website and various authorized retailers. Pricing starts at $79.00 for the 250GB model and goes up to $199.00 for the 2TB model. The Envoy Pro Mini includes a USB-C (40Gb/s) cable, a protective cap, and a lanyard. It comes with a three-year OWC Limited Warranty.

• Score: 4/5

OWC Envoy Pro Mini: Design & build

The OWC Envoy Pro Mini offers the capacity and speed of an external SSD but in the compact form of a USB stick rather than a more traditionally shaped and sized portable hard drive. At first glance, there is little to tell this apart from an aforementioned USB stick, aside from its slightly lengthier body and the fact that it has a full metal build. Still, it remains small and compact, and inside the tough outer casing, our review unit features 256GB of high-speed storage, which can offer transfer rates up to 946MB/s.

The OWC Envoy Pro Mini is small, weighing in at 26g and measuring 11 x 80 x 17mm, with the all-metal exterior providing durability and that premium feel. At one end is a protective metal cap that covers the USB Type-C port, while at the other end is a blue LED status light that flashes to show the status and activity. The high build quality is evident throughout the design of the drive, with a textured section that, when pulled out, pivots around a central joint to reveal the USB Type-A connector. The addition of a lanyard hole is a nice design feature and helps enhance the design further. 

• Design & build: 4/5

OWC Envoy Pro Mini: Features

The OWC Envoy Pro Mini brings the performance of a full-sized SSD to a device that fits comfortably in your pocket. Its sleek, thumb drive-sized design offers high-speed storage that you can take anywhere. What's more, it's universally compatible, featuring plug-and-play functionality with USB or Thunderbolt (USB-C) ports on Macs, PCs, iPads, Chromebooks, Android tablets, and Surface devices.

When it comes to speed, the Envoy Pro Mini shouldn't disappoint, with OWC stating real-world data transfer rates of up to 946MB/s. This means that whether you're working with large multimedia files, backing up crucial data, or launching applications, this drive provides the speed you need. That combination of speed and capacity ensures versatility and makes it a great solution for a variety of uses, such as pro audio, photography, graphics, gaming, and general data storage or backup.

If you're concerned about data protection, then the Envoy Pro Mini is compatible with Apple Time Machine and Windows File History, which means that this no-fuss USB Stick design will act as an ideal solution for use with those systems to back up your files. While not strictly a professional use for the drive, it can be used as a storage solution for PlayStation and Xbox consoles, providing additional space and quick load times. When needed. Additionally, if you have presentations and video, then again, those fast transfer speeds and capacity means that it can essentially act as an entertainment hub, enabling you to playback presentations, videos, and music and view pictures on your Smart TV or projector just by simply plugging the drive into the USB port.

The Envoy Pro Mini isn't just for storage; it can also be used as a bootable drive, enabling you to start up your system and launch applications. This is a great solution for both Mac and Linux users, and those using Windows will be able to launch some applications and extras directly from the drive, helping to free up valuable disk space and an easy way to increase storage media for laptops. 

One of the key design elements is the slim design that ensures that adjacent ports remain accessible. Being small, like most other portable SSDs, it is bus-powered, meaning that the single USB connection will provide all the power that it needs to run. 

Being small, heat is a consideration, and the heat-dissipating machined aluminium housing helps to ensure that the Envoy Pro Mini makes little, if any, audible noise and should remain cool even during intensive tasks.

• Features 4/5

OWC Envoy Pro Mini: Performance

For those looking for the best external hard drive for Mac, the OWC Envoy Pro Mini comes pre-formatted in the advanced Apple APFS file system, which ensures maximum compatibility with macOS. While it comes with the system installed, you can reformat into NTFS or ExFat if you want to use this on a Windows PC, although it's worth doing this PC-compatible formating on a Mac first.

To make things easy, the drive comes with the "OWC Drive Guide (Mac)" application, which is ready to load from the drive. This application is a once-run app that enables you to select several options, from the latest APFS to the older Mac OS Extended; there's also the ExFat option. To get started with the drive, it's recommended to start on a Mac, as some PCs won't recognise the drive until it has been formatted utilising the onboard software app. 

Once the file system is in place, the original factory-installed contents of the drive are wiped and replaced with a single PDF with a QR code that will take you to the getting started guides, manuals, and FAQs. So, there's plenty of additional information, including support if you need it. However, once set up, there's little not to understand—plug it in, and off you go! 

In performance tests, the OWC Envoy Pro Mini delivered impressive results with read speeds of 828MB/s and write speeds of 927MB/s when tested in AJA System Test Lite. This makes it suitable for demanding tasks such as video editing and large file transfers. Depending on the software and type of test run, the results varied, as you'll see in the benchmark result. Still, as a general rule throughout the testing, the Pro Mini was an excellent storage option when additional fast access storage was required for both backup and as a working drive. 

• Performance: 4/5

Should you buy the OWC Envoy Pro Mini?

The OWC Envoy Pro Mini is a great storage solution. Its small size, large capacity options, and speed make it an all-around great option for anyone who needs to store large files out in the field. While the drive is designed for Mac users, and in the post part, you will need a Mac to get up and running initially, you can opt to format it in the ExFat files system so that it can be used between both Mac and PC systems.

When it comes to design, the SSD's USB stick style means that it can slip easily into a pocket, or with the small lanyard, you can pop it into a bag and keep it safely secured on an internal loop if one is available. 

In use, the dual USB Type-A or C gives you plenty of options, especially when transporting between Mac, PC and other systems. The transfer rates of large files are incredibly quick, meaning that you can back up files from a shoot at speed, as well as use the drive as working storage media which is a huge asset. While the transfer rates do enable you to use the OWC Envoy Pro Mini as a working drive, it can get hot, although it is surprisingly well-balanced, especially when it's used for video editing. In reality, it's a great working drive for photos, but it's best to push it on time with video editing, however able it seems. 

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