**OWC Express Installation and Setup**
If you have the fans positioned horizontally, they will be muffled, resulting in less noise. However, if the fans are positioned vertically, they will produce more noise. The unit is approximately 4.5 inches by 5 inches by 2.5 inches, making it a small device.
To access the internal components, use the thumb screws to remove the cover as shown. This will give you access to the fan and the four M.2 slots for OWCA ER II SSDs. The unit can handle up to two terabyte SSDs, providing a total of 8 terabytes of storage space. It's essential to note that these SSDs are quite small but easy to install.
To install the SSDs, simply slide them into the slot and press down firmly. Then, screw them in until they click. Make sure not to overtighten the screws, as this can damage the enclosure. The more SSDs you install, the faster your storage will be if you're using RAID 0.
**Powering the OWC Express**
The unit requires a power adapter, which is included with the purchase. A Thunderbolt 3 cable is also provided, allowing you to connect it to your Mac. Connect the enclosure to your desk and plug in the power cord. The indicator light on the front will show that the connection is established.
**Performance and Features**
OWC recommends using their Soft RAID utility for optimal performance. This software-based solution allows for multi-enclosure capability, advanced drive monitoring, notifications, and downloadable updates. While OWC doesn't force you to use this software, they claim it provides more flexibility than hardware-only solutions.
The unit's maximum read speed is 2800 megabytes per second, which can easily handle 4K, 6K, and even 8K workflows. However, the Samsung X5 S1 SSD lags behind in write speeds after a certain point. In contrast, the OWC Express performs well with continuous write processes.
**Real-World Performance Testing**
To test the read speed, drag a 20-gigabyte file to the Pictures folder before the UI even appears. The results show that the read speed is very fast, handling large files quickly. For write testing, perform a similar task by writing to the Project folder. Again, the results demonstrate excellent performance.
**Conclusion**
The OWC Express is an ideal solution for professionals working with large amounts of image data and high-resolution video workflows. However, it's essential to note that this enclosure may not be suitable for everyone, especially average users who don't require such a large storage capacity. With its competitive pricing and impressive performance capabilities, the OWC Express is a solid option for those in need of a reliable and fast storage solution.
**Specs and Benchmarks**
The unit's specs are as follows:
* Dimensions: 4.5 inches x 5 inches x 2.5 inches
* Storage capacity: Up to 8 terabytes (with two M.2 SSDs)
* Read speed: 2800 megabytes per second
* Write speed: Excellent performance with continuous write processes
Benchmarks:
* Read speed test: 20 gigabyte file transferred in approximately 30 seconds
* Write speed test: 20 gigabyte file written to Project folder in approximately 40 seconds
"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enand zone with Oh W cease Express for m2 SSD enclosure how's it going ladies and gentlemen boys and girls this is Jeff Benjamin this is the Express for m2 from OWCA zero gigabyte enclosure meaning you'll have to add your own drives and on the back you'll find some additional details about the enclosure including the whisper quiet fan we'll talk about that a little bit later of course you have easy access tongue screws thunder both three ports display ports DC power input etc so here it is folks this is the o WC Express for m2 you can see it's a pretty small enclosure will measure it here in just a second but let's look at the i/o of course you have two Thunderbolt three ports you can daisy chain you have DisplayPort 4k 60 output you have these thumb screws that can easily allow you to get inside so that you can add storage and then on the bottom you'll see the fan and this fan is essential because iNDOT to SSDs get really hot and when they're inside this enclosure they need that airflow to stay cool now you'll also see four feet to keep it stable on your desk but those feet also act as risers for the fan as well now you'll notice an additional four feet on the side of the device to allow it to stand up vertically which is really nice gives you an option of resting the device down like this horizontally or you can position it vertically stand it upright and you still have those feet to keep it well planted on your desk now this fan if you have it positioned like this horizontally the fans gonna be a little bit muffled so it's not gonna be as loud because the fan is pointed down at your desk but if you have it positioned vertically the fan obviously is gonna be a little bit louder so keep that in mind so the unit is about four and a half inches by about a little over five inches by about a little over two and a half or a little less than two and a half inches there so very small device use those thumb screws to remove the cover like that and this will give you access to the internal components so the first thing you're going to see is that fan you'll see two screws that you need to remove for the fan of course the fan connector is well so we'll remove those two screws and just pop it out like that set that aside and that will give you access to the four MDOT two slots I've already installed for OWCA er II SSDs these are two terabyte SSDs for a total of 8 terabytes the maximum disk drive or this enclosure can handle so that is a lot of storage space you can see how easy it is to install those SSDs of course you can install and your samsung SSD if you want to but Oh WC obviously makes drives as well so they provided those with this review unit and you can see how small those in that 2 SSDs will probably remind you of a stick of gum but they're so easy to install inside the OWCA m2 enclosure you just slide it in like this and then simply press down and screw it in make sure it is firmly in the slot don't push too hard but make sure it's in there alright so now we're gonna screw it in and obviously you don't want to over tighten the screw you just want to tighten it enough to where it gives you a little bit of resistance just like that alright so that's it folks that is how you install the SSDs of course you can install one or more obviously the more you install the faster the drive if you're using raid 0 now obviously you will need a power adapter it is included with the lwc Express as you can see there and also a Thunderbolt 3 cable is included as well so here it is on my desk all connect it to my Mac ready to go you could see that that indicator light on front telling you that the connection is there and again like I said you can rest it either horizontally or vertically now let me let you hear the fan noise so the enclosure is definitely not silent so you're gonna have to keep that in mind if you're doing things like voiceovers or whatever the case may be now o WC recommends using its soft raid utility for the best overall performance in this is a software-based raid solution that allows for multi enclosure capability advanced drive monitoring a notifications downloadable updates etc now of course ODBC doesn't force you to use soft rave but they say it provides more flexibility than Hardware only solutions and tend to agree with that you can also still use Disk Utility if you want to and of course you can connect to other Mac's without software installed so you don't have to worry about being locked in as it were now o WC notes a max of 2800 megabytes per second but you can see here with the disk speed test that I've ran for read and write performance is really good gonna easily handle 4k 6k and even 8k workflows but how does it stack up to something like this the Samsung x5 SST well you can see here that the o WC for m2 performs much better when it comes to write speed you can see how the Samsung just sort of almost throttles after a certain amount of seconds with continuous write whereas the o WC for m2 has no problem handling that extended write process and of course read speeds are good as well and in real-world situations the performance stands out so in this read test I'm dragging it to the pictures folder here this 20 gigabyte file before the UI even is displayed it's almost halfway through that transaction so that read speed is very fast now let's perform a write test it's basically going to do the opposite gonna write to the project folder you can see before the UI even shows up it's already halfway through that write test of 20 gigabytes so my conclusion is this this is not a drive for everybody in fact most average users aren't going to be using this but if you're working with pic data if you're working with 4k 6 k 8k uncompressed video workflows and you need a large storage destination up to 8 terabytes then the OWCA Express is a solid option but remember it's going to be pricey and it's not going to be dead silent let me know what you think in the comment section this is Jeff with 905 Mac youand zone with Oh W cease Express for m2 SSD enclosure how's it going ladies and gentlemen boys and girls this is Jeff Benjamin this is the Express for m2 from OWCA zero gigabyte enclosure meaning you'll have to add your own drives and on the back you'll find some additional details about the enclosure including the whisper quiet fan we'll talk about that a little bit later of course you have easy access tongue screws thunder both three ports display ports DC power input etc so here it is folks this is the o WC Express for m2 you can see it's a pretty small enclosure will measure it here in just a second but let's look at the i/o of course you have two Thunderbolt three ports you can daisy chain you have DisplayPort 4k 60 output you have these thumb screws that can easily allow you to get inside so that you can add storage and then on the bottom you'll see the fan and this fan is essential because iNDOT to SSDs get really hot and when they're inside this enclosure they need that airflow to stay cool now you'll also see four feet to keep it stable on your desk but those feet also act as risers for the fan as well now you'll notice an additional four feet on the side of the device to allow it to stand up vertically which is really nice gives you an option of resting the device down like this horizontally or you can position it vertically stand it upright and you still have those feet to keep it well planted on your desk now this fan if you have it positioned like this horizontally the fans gonna be a little bit muffled so it's not gonna be as loud because the fan is pointed down at your desk but if you have it positioned vertically the fan obviously is gonna be a little bit louder so keep that in mind so the unit is about four and a half inches by about a little over five inches by about a little over two and a half or a little less than two and a half inches there so very small device use those thumb screws to remove the cover like that and this will give you access to the internal components so the first thing you're going to see is that fan you'll see two screws that you need to remove for the fan of course the fan connector is well so we'll remove those two screws and just pop it out like that set that aside and that will give you access to the four MDOT two slots I've already installed for OWCA er II SSDs these are two terabyte SSDs for a total of 8 terabytes the maximum disk drive or this enclosure can handle so that is a lot of storage space you can see how easy it is to install those SSDs of course you can install and your samsung SSD if you want to but Oh WC obviously makes drives as well so they provided those with this review unit and you can see how small those in that 2 SSDs will probably remind you of a stick of gum but they're so easy to install inside the OWCA m2 enclosure you just slide it in like this and then simply press down and screw it in make sure it is firmly in the slot don't push too hard but make sure it's in there alright so now we're gonna screw it in and obviously you don't want to over tighten the screw you just want to tighten it enough to where it gives you a little bit of resistance just like that alright so that's it folks that is how you install the SSDs of course you can install one or more obviously the more you install the faster the drive if you're using raid 0 now obviously you will need a power adapter it is included with the lwc Express as you can see there and also a Thunderbolt 3 cable is included as well so here it is on my desk all connect it to my Mac ready to go you could see that that indicator light on front telling you that the connection is there and again like I said you can rest it either horizontally or vertically now let me let you hear the fan noise so the enclosure is definitely not silent so you're gonna have to keep that in mind if you're doing things like voiceovers or whatever the case may be now o WC recommends using its soft raid utility for the best overall performance in this is a software-based raid solution that allows for multi enclosure capability advanced drive monitoring a notifications downloadable updates etc now of course ODBC doesn't force you to use soft rave but they say it provides more flexibility than Hardware only solutions and tend to agree with that you can also still use Disk Utility if you want to and of course you can connect to other Mac's without software installed so you don't have to worry about being locked in as it were now o WC notes a max of 2800 megabytes per second but you can see here with the disk speed test that I've ran for read and write performance is really good gonna easily handle 4k 6k and even 8k workflows but how does it stack up to something like this the Samsung x5 SST well you can see here that the o WC for m2 performs much better when it comes to write speed you can see how the Samsung just sort of almost throttles after a certain amount of seconds with continuous write whereas the o WC for m2 has no problem handling that extended write process and of course read speeds are good as well and in real-world situations the performance stands out so in this read test I'm dragging it to the pictures folder here this 20 gigabyte file before the UI even is displayed it's almost halfway through that transaction so that read speed is very fast now let's perform a write test it's basically going to do the opposite gonna write to the project folder you can see before the UI even shows up it's already halfway through that write test of 20 gigabytes so my conclusion is this this is not a drive for everybody in fact most average users aren't going to be using this but if you're working with pic data if you're working with 4k 6 k 8k uncompressed video workflows and you need a large storage destination up to 8 terabytes then the OWCA Express is a solid option but remember it's going to be pricey and it's not going to be dead silent let me know what you think in the comment section this is Jeff with 905 Mac you\n"
