OWC Express 1M2 USB4 External SSD Enclosure
Built to handle demanding needs, the Express 1M2 USB4 External SSD Enclosure from OWC / Other World Computing is designed for photo and video professionals, DITs, prosumers, performance enthusiasts, and other creative professionals. Equipped with an NVMe M.2 SSD slot, the Express 1M2 supports one M.2 2230, 2242, or 2280 SSD. Depending on your choice of SSD, data transfer speeds can reach as high as 3836 MB/s, which is fast enough for 8K raw and 4K video in slow motion as well as ProRes and other demanding codecs, plus high-resolution photos in both raw and compressed formats.
The Express 1M2 may be formatted for use with macOS 10.13 and later and iPadOS 13 and later, Windows, Chrome, Linux, and Android 13.x. It connects to your host system using a 40 Gb/s USB4 port, but is backward compatible with 10 Gb/s USB 3.2 Gen 2, which delivers real world speeds of up to 990 MB/s. Its aluminum enclosure offers rugged protection while keeping the drive cool for improved performance. The Express 1M2 may also be used as a boot drive, but only on Mac. It is plug-and-play, meaning no drivers are required for use, while bus power means that the drive is powered solely using the included USB-C cable.
The Ultimate Creation Tool
Give yourself the ultimate in creative power by building the portable drive of your dreams or choosing an advanced technology OWC Aura SSD powered OWC Express 1M2. Whether repurposing a drive, starting with a new drive, or wanting the convenience of a ready-to-run solution, you will infuse your workflow with the highest performance and reliability with an Express 1M2.
As Fast as Your Computer or Device
The Express 1M2 is the fastest single portable SSD OWC offers and was purposefully built to maximize the performance capabilities of today and tomorrow's USB4-equipped Mac and Windows computers. Experience speeds up to an astonishing 3836 MB/s when you use the Express 1M2 with most Mac and Windows computers you own from 2020 or later. You can also enjoy highly effective performance (yep... you can edit 4K video, no problem) and flexible compatibility with millions of yesterday's Thunderbolt and USB-C machines and devices. When used with an Apple Silicon M1/M2/M3/M4 Mac the Express 1M2 will run as a 40 Gb/s USB4 device with speeds up to 3189 MB/s. When connected to a USB4 port or a Thunderbolt 4 on a Windows computer, the Express 1M2 will run as a 40 Gb/s USB4 device with speeds up to 3836 MB/s. When used with a Thunderbolt 3 port on an Intel Mac or Windows computers, or a 10 Gb/s USB-C port on an iPad, Mac, or Windows, the Express 1M2 will run as a 10 Gb/s USB 3.2 Gen 2 device with speeds of up to 990 MB/s.
Don't Get Fooled
Because of OWC's Thunderbolt expertise and their close work with Intel, they are familiar with details that others may overlook. While specific OWC solutions are certified for full speed on Thunderbolt, they (and everyone else) are limited to half that speed with DIY enclosures. USB4 unleashes the Express 1M2 performance capabilities so you can build the drive of your dreams. Unlike budget brand pretenders that do not follow Intel specifications —and will leave you feeling fooled and disappointed in far lower speeds— the Express 1M2's USB4 connectivity assures you of the maximum speed and reliability you count on and expect from every OWC solution.
The Power of DIY
Build your Express 1M2 with a brand new drive or re-task an existing drive replaced during an upgrade. Or, make it simple by choosing a pre-built proven OWC reliable solution. Whatever your decision, the Express 1M2 gives you the power to make it happen.
Use Today's and Tomorrow's Drives
Designed to support almost any NVMe M.2 2230, 2242, or 2280 SSD, the Express 1M2 gives you the freedom of flexibility to use a wide variety of drives, including OWC Aura SSDs up to 8TB capacity, and it is ready for tomorrow's 16TB and future capacities without limit.
Built to Handle Demanding Needs
You'll never have to worry about thermal throttling because form meets function with the Express 1M2. Its solid aluminum heat sink design ensures proper heat dissipation so you can depend on consistent maximum performance. Unlike a snap-together toolless enclosure, the Express 1M2 screws together to securely protect your drive inside its rugged enclosure. And when you need to share the Express 1M2, it can work cross-platform with Macs and PCs using OWC MacDrive software (available separately) for peace between the platforms.
Express 1M2 is Ideal for…
Photo and video professionals wanting an affordable yet solid editing drive that can be used both to backup and edit demanding content including 8K raw video, 4K video in slow-motion, ProRes and other demanding codecs, and ultra-high resolution pictures both in raw and compressed formats.
DITs looking to assemble the NVMe of their choice while also getting maximum offload speeds (faster than Thunderbolt) and thermal stability.
Prosumers/performance enthusiasts seeking an external enclosure to clone data from an internal drive at blazingly fast speeds.
DITs looking to assemble the NVMe of their choice while also getting maximum offload speeds (faster than Thunderbolt) and thermal stability.
Prosumers/performance enthusiasts seeking an external enclosure to clone data from an internal drive at blazingly fast speeds.
Ready to Go, Right Out of the Box
OWC products are loved around the world for It Just Works ease-of-use and reliability. To provide the highest performance, reliability, and ready-to-run convenience available, your solution comes formatted in the native APFS macOS and iPadOS file system. With OWC, you don't have to worry about reformatting hassles or confusion like other solutions, just plug your drive into your Mac or iPad and you're good to go.
Your Data's Reliability is OWC's #1 Priority
Anyone can put a bunch of components in a housing and call it an enclosure or a drive. OWC is not just anyone. They're a group of filmmakers, musicians, designers, content creators, and parents, just like you, wanting to capture and preserve that irreplaceable moment. Their data storage products go through countless hours of ongoing development testing and certification processes. OWC then subjects them to extreme real-world abuses. The priority for some drives is to be a mass-produced, lowest price commodity. They do it differently because the reliability of your data and the longevity of an OWC product is priority #1.
macOS Compatibility
- macOS 10.13 High Sierra
- macOS 10.14 Mojave
- macOS 10.15 Catalina
- macOS 11.x Big Sur
- macOS 12.x Monterey
- macOS 13.x Ventura
- macOS 14.x Sonoma
Windows Compatibility
- Windows 10 (32-Bit)
- Windows 10 (64-Bit)
- Windows Server 2016
- Windows 11
Linux Compatibility
- Yes
Mobile OS Compatibility
- iPadOS 13
- iPadOS 14
- iPadOS 15
- iPadOS 16
- iPadOS 17
- Android 13.x
Other OS Compatibility
- ChromeOS version 102 and later
We want to make sure your order arrives safely, quickly, and hassle-free. Below you’ll find everything you need to know about our shipping process.
- Orders are typically processed within 1–2 business days (excluding weekends and holidays).
- You’ll receive a confirmation email once your order has shipped, including tracking details.
- Shipping rates are calculated based on your order total, weight, and delivery location.
We hope you are happy with your purchase; but in the event you are not pleased with your purchase please read the following:
- Items may be returned within 14 days of delivery in original condition and packaging.
- A restocking fee of minimum 15% may apply to opened or non-defective items.
- Item must be factory reset or password unlocked before return.
- Refunds are issued to the original payment method once the item is received and inspected.
- Shipping fees are non-refundable, and return shipping costs are the customer’s responsibility (unless the item was defective or incorrect).
- For complete details, please see our full Return & Refund Policy.
