Name: OWC Express 1M2
Brand: OWC

The original OWC Express 1M2 still has a clear role beside the faster 80G version. Its 40 Gb/s connection suits many existing computers, and its documented USB fallback makes it easier to move between systems. The large aluminum body is a deliberate trade against the smallest travel drives.

Performance

Up to 3,836 MB/s reads, depending on capacity
Separate read and write ratings for each assembled version

The connection offers worthwhile headroom for large working files, but the assembled capacities do not have identical manufacturer benchmark figures. Treat the exact capacity’s results as the starting point, rather than assuming the largest number applies to every drive.

PCWorld tested an original 1TB Aura Ultra IV version on a Windows 11 desktop with a Z790 motherboard and Core i5-12400. During a 450GB copy from a 2TB Samsung 990 Pro, its cache ran out before completion and writing fell to roughly 500–650 MB/s. That is a useful limit for repeated large offloads, not a measured result for the current 2TB, 4TB or 8TB versions. ¹

OWC separately publishes a whole-capacity sustained figure for its 2TB version. Its 1TB sustained table, however, describes stages totaling roughly 2TB, leaving that entry’s applicability unresolved. That table does not establish a reliable sustained-write figure for the 1TB version.

Connectivity

USB4 40 Gb/s
USB 10 Gb/s fallback
0.3 m detachable cable

The original model makes particular sense when a working drive must visit both a USB4 workstation and a slower USB computer. The slower connection remains the limit, but the same drive can still be useful across those machines.

Thunderbolt numbering can be misleading here. OWC’s current manual limits Thunderbolt 3 hosts to USB 10 Gb/s with this model. A Thunderbolt 3 computer should therefore not be treated as an automatic route to the headline rate. The short supplied cable is convenient beside a laptop, while desk placement may call for a suitable longer data cable.

Design & Configurations

Finned aluminum body
Approximately 260 g assembled

The size makes the Express 1M2 more comfortable as a workstation companion than a drive kept in a shirt pocket. Its fanless design avoids another source of mechanical noise, while the detachable cable keeps replacement independent of the enclosure.

The factory-assembled versions provide a complete drive with a three-year limited warranty. OWC also sells the enclosure alone with different coverage and no storage installed. That route supports compatible 2230, 2242 and 2280 NVMe modules, but the chosen SSD determines capacity and behavior. It should not be confused with the complete drive linked in this review.

Setup

APFS supplied
Cross-platform formatting may be required

Plan the file system around the computers that will share the drive. The supplied APFS format suits supported Macs; Windows and other workflows may need reformatting before files are loaded. That is a setup decision rather than a reason to buy a different capacity.

OWC documents a mounting limit when the drive is the third bus-powered device on certain Macs. If an attached hub or other storage is part of the setup, confirm that arrangement rather than assuming a successful direct connection proves every combination.

Alternatives

The Express 1M2 80G is the next step for a Thunderbolt 5 or USB4 80 Gb/s workstation. It is an upgrade worth considering when transfer time is a real bottleneck, not simply because its interface is newer.

The Envoy Pro Elektron is much smaller and carries an IP67 rating. It is a better physical fit when 10 Gb/s is sufficient and the drive will travel regularly.

Verdict

The Express 1M2 remains a useful choice for a mixed USB4 and ordinary USB workflow. It trades pocketability for a substantial enclosure and broad documented connectivity. Match the capacity to the workload, especially when large uninterrupted writes are more important than short benchmark bursts.

OWC Express 1M2 review

Pros

Cons