The Fastest, Highest Capacity, Bus-Powered, Portable Thunderbolt 3 Drive
When you work with Intel on design and meet all requirements and compliances for Apple and Thunderbolt 3 certification, it’s unexpected and rare that issues arise with future systems. One of the best parts of Thunderbolt 3 certification is the win-win for customers and manufacturers alike for ongoing, trouble-free operation, with existing and future computers and OS versions.
The Issue
Unfortunately, we found ourselves limiting compatibility support on specific computer models, while we investigated issues unrelated to the Thunderbolt 3 technology itself. In addition to our Envoy Pro EX Thunderbolt 3, problems were widely reported by other manufacturers of Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C portable devices. Of note, no other OWC Thunderbolt 3 or OWC USB-C devices have been subject to this issue.
Starting in late 2018 testing in our labs, as well as reports from the field, confirmed that drive-disconnect issues could occur in certain circumstances and with specific bus-powered storage. These reports began with certain new Macs and PCs and this ended up being related to a WiFi change. We kept a close watch on how things were evolving and began working closely with Intel on the matter. I am glad to report that changes we have been able to make to our solution now fully resolve this matter. All Envoy Pro EX TB3 models purchased on or after June 4th, 2020 now enjoy the same universal Thunderbolt 3 support and compatibility that is the expected normal.
Enhancement Program
Although units sold before June 4th were specifically listed as incompatible with specific Mac models that could be affected by this prior issue, we are offering our valued customers an enhancement on these units that provides the same universal Thunderbolt 3 compatibility free of charge. Existing owners will only be responsible for the cost of shipping.
For a flat cost of $10.75, this program will provide 1 business day or less turn-around from the time the item is received, with 2nd Day Air return deliver anywhere in the United States. This program will also be offered in Asia with our support center in Taipei, TW, and Europe with our support location in Leuven, Belgium. Shipping costs will vary by location.
If you are interested in the Envoy Pro EX Enhancement Program or would like to learn more, contact OWC Customer Support.
Are the 2020 OWC Envoy Pro EX Thunderbolt models as fast (or faster) for sustained read / write performance as the previous Envoy Pro VE (Video Edition) models?
Yes, they are just as fast. The next generation of P12 SSDs negated the need for separate A/V Rated Video edition models
My nephew wants to buy some gear and also wanted to know exaclty which macs to avoid if indeed he will see the less than five feet range of Bluetooth keyboards as well as issues where Wi-Fi might disconnect many more drives than your excellent products. See the mac rumors blog post on 2018 Mac mini disconnect issues for more there.
Which models did you notice were putting out slightly more disruptive Wi-Fi signals when you said the sentence above:?
“.. These reports began with certain new Macs and PCs and this ended up being related to a WiFi change. ”
Hi John, we observed it in 2018+ Mac mini, laptops, and the Mac Pro 2019.
Also, to clarify – none of our devices are having an issue with current Macs, and the update to the Envoy Pro EX prevents it from being impacted by the wireless on the Macs where this was noted.
If one of you want to beat me to it.. take some wifi cables out of an old MacBook Pro or better an Imac and use that to move the antenna out of the Mac mini 2018 somehow and maybe direct it to the opposite side of your drives or shield the antenna for the first several inches where it comes out. This would be a nice fix that wouldn’t require non apple add ons.. and disconnecting the wifi card if it’s even possible to do inside this model. Does anyone know?
So I’m guessing here that either:
1- apple’s Mac mini minor update refresh to the model line included a new wifi card?
Or
2-there was a software/firmware update which lowered the power or altered the frequencies of the Wi-Fi card on all these newer mac models?
3-or Owc and others just put in double the shielding to prevent disconnects? Which makes the most sense because otherwise the older drives would now be working. Or maybe they work with any newly refresh model lines like the Mac Mini was in early 2020?
An adjustment to the shielding is what brought resolution to the issue. Significant testing was completed before moving forward with this solution – something that shouldn’t have been needed or happen in the first place. But we are glad to put this into the rearview.
I thought so.
OK.. just a few more for the online world and all who might be asking the same:
1-Can anyone find out if the airport card in the new Mac mini 2020 “reboot” has a different part number?
2-So we are sure it’s the airport card and not a bus power or power supply power issue?
3-I found all the older Mac wireless keyboards and Mice don’t work with this new Mac mini even 1/10th as far away.. as it did with the five other models we have here from 2007-2014 Mbp and mini’s. Have you guys seen this and
4-Is there any improvement with the new apple bluetooth devices? or some aftermarket one?
5- What is the current list of Mac models which have this issue? Even a rough estimate would be helpful.
Thanks again for being there for me and my clients.. since 1992 if memory serves.
I bought one of these last December and I noticed that it did not work on my wife’s new Mac laptop. How we we fix that
Hello! We are now offering a replacement program, to get that swapped out for the newest version that should work fine with that machine. Please contact our customer support team via one of the following methods:
Phone 1-800-275-4576 or +1-815-338-8685
Customer Service/Sales & Technical Support – Monday-Friday (8am-8pm CT) – Saturday & Sunday (Closed)
Live Chat Technical Support – Monday-Friday (8am-8pm CT) – Saturday (9am-5pm CT) – Sunday (Closed)
Live Chat Customer Service/Sales – Monday-Friday (7am-10pm CT) – Saturday & Sunday (9am-5pm CT)