With the recent introduction of the latest M4 Mac mini and MacBook Pros, we’re extremely excited to announce a new product that will help you get even more out of Apple’s latest Macs: the OWC Thunderbolt 5 Hub.
As its name suggests, the OWC Thunderbolt 5 Hub is built upon the latest version of the Thunderbolt port standard, which boasts double the bi-directional data speed at 80Gb/s and delivers transfer speeds that are 2x faster than Thunderbolt 4 and USB4.
By connecting a single cable to a Mac or PC’s Thunderbolt 5 port, the OWC Thunderbolt 5 Hub expands that single port to three USB-C Thunderbolt 5 ports and one USB-A port. Thunderbolt 5 is now offered on Apple’s new Mac mini with the M4 Pro chip and the new M4 Pro and M4 Max MacBook Pro.
Thunderbolt 5 also lies at the heart of our fastest external SSD to date, the OWC Envoy Ultra. Envoy Ultra is capable of speeds exceeding 6,000 MB/s, providing speeds that in many cases match or exceed that of the latest Macs’ internal SSDs.
Thunderbolt 5 not only unlocks faster data transfer speeds, it also offers up to 120 Gb/s for higher display bandwidth needs. With an OWC Thunderbolt 5 Hub, you can connect up to three 8K displays @60Hz with DSC. Plus, because Thunderbolt 5 is universally compatible, you can use it with USB-C host devices and connected devices that do not have Thunderbolt 5.
So, here’s how the main features of the new OWC Thunderbolt 5 Hub break down:
- More Ultra-Fast Ports: With a single cable connection, Thunderbolt 5 Hub instantly adds three additional Thunderbolt 5 ports to a Mac, PC, or other host device with Thunderbolt 5 support. These ports support up to 80 Gb/s of bi-directional data speed and up to 120 Gb/s for high display bandwidth needs.
- Ultimate Backwards Compatibility: Like all Thunderbolt 5 devices, the Thunderbolt 5 Hub connects to Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, USB-C, or USB4 host and/or connected devices with 100% compatibility. Note: Achieving full Thunderbolt 5 data speeds requires Thunderbolt 5 Hub to be connected to a host device with Thunderbolt 5 ports, such as the new M4 Pro Mac mini or M4 Pro/Max MacBook Pro.
- Support for Multiple Daisy Chains: Thunderbolt 5 Hub allows you to daisy chain your Thunderbolt devices. You can create three separate daisy chains—including bus-powered devices—and you can remove devices from one chain without affecting other chains.
- Astonishing Display Support: Connect to the latest and future Thunderbolt, USB-C, and DisplayPort displays for incredible 4K, 5K, 6K, and up to three 8K displays.
Pricing and availability
The OWC Thunderbolt 5 Hub is available now for pre-order for $189.99 and begins shipping in December. For more information and specs, or to place an order, click here.
This new hub should be great with my MBP-16 M4 MAX . I see that it is backward compatible with Thunderbolt 4 and Thunderbolt 3. Were there also Thunderbolt 2 and Thunderbolt 1 Ports? If so, I’d assume that this hub would not support them directly. If that is the case, could one attach a Thunderbolt 3 Hub to support Thunderbolt 2 and Thunderbolt 1?