Thunderbolt 5 SSDs Hit the Market: Seagate, Sabrent, and OWC Offer New Options

The technology world is abuzz with excitement as Thunderbolt 5 SSDs are finally becoming available to consumers. Following the release of the first Thunderbolt 5 cables last July and the introduction of Thunderbolt 5 docks in September, major companies like Seagate, OWC, and Sabrent are rolling out SSDs that support the new standard, promising enhanced storage performance.

Seagate's New SSD Offering

At CES this week, Seagate announced its latest addition—the Thunderbolt 5 LaCie Rugged SSD Pro5. This drive will be available sometime this month, offering a 2TB version priced at $399.99 and a 4TB version at $599.99. The LaCie Rugged SSD Pro5 boasts read speeds of 6,700MB/s and write speeds of 5,300MB/s. Its durable design includes a rubber enclosure available in blue, black, and orange, and it can withstand drops from heights up to three meters. Additionally, the SSD is waterproof, with an IP68 rating, ensuring it remains functional even after being submerged in water up to one meter deep.

Image: Seagate

Sabrent's Thunderbolt 5 Innovation

Sabrent, one of the pioneers in launching a Thunderbolt 5 SSD, showcased its Rocket XTRM 5 model last August. However, the SSD is still not available for purchase, currently only for preorder on Sabrent's website. Acclaimed for its protective silicone sleeve, the Rocket XTRM 5 promises read and write speeds of 6,000MB/s and 5,000MB/s, respectively. It will be available in storage capacities of 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB.

Image: Sabrent

OWC's Advanced Drive

Meanwhile, OWC announced its Envoy Ultra Thunderbolt 5 SSD back in September. This external drive excels in durability, being water-resistant, dust-resistant, and crushproof, while delivering read speeds over 6,000MB/s. Initially released in late October, the launch units quickly sold out. However, the Envoy Ultra remains available for preorder, with shipping expected in mid-January 2025. Pricing starts at $399.99 for the 2TB model and $599.99 for the 4TB model.

Image: OWC

Challenges Ahead for Thunderbolt 5

Despite the advancements, transitioning to Thunderbolt 5 might present certain challenges, as highlighted by Mark Hachman, a senior editor at PCWorld. In his attempt to use a Maingear ML-17 laptop, Kensington's Thunderbolt 5 dock, OWC's Envoy Ultra SSD, and Acer's Nitro XV5 displays, Hachman encountered lagging performance and slow data transfer rates. He noted, "When you buy (or test) bleeding-edge hardware, sometimes you’re the one that ends up with the cuts," reflecting on the need for consumers to be cautious of first-generation technologies.