The “Just Right” RAID for all Storage Needs
When two bays clearly aren’t enough storage for your needs and eight bays feels a bit ambitious for now, enter the ThunderBay 4. This “just right” Goldilocks of storage solutions offers the space, speed, and flexibility you can use for both current and future needs.
There’s a reason ThunderBay 4 is our most popular multi-bay RAID storage solution. You can use a variety of 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch drives for everyday digital file storage and backup all the way to running multi-stream compressed 4K video. With two Thunderbolt ports, it gives you the muscle to move all that content at up to 1527MB/s real-world throughput speed.
And ThunderBay 4 is highly configurable to perfectly match your storage needs. You can use each drive independently, or in the SoftRAID XT configuration of your choice for the optimal balance of performance and data-redundancy. Get the most out of your storage, take the brakes off your workflow, and do more with a ThunderBay 4.
Cool. Fast. Empowering.
Each ThunderBay 4 undergoes OWC’s multi-hour drive “burn-in” performance certification procedure prior to shipping. This ensures your ThunderBay 4 arrives operating properly and ready for demanding use.
The “Supply Chain” That Always Delivers
With two Thunderbolt ports, the ThunderBay 4 lets you daisy-chain up to five additional Thunderbolt devices and displays while keeping Thunderbolt ports on your laptop or desktop free for other uses. You can learn more about how to connect multiple Thunderbolt devices to your computer with this easy-to-follow infographic.
Thunderbolt Made Easy
We make it easy to choose the right gear. Our Thunderbolt Certified products offer the same performance and functionality whether they are Thunderbolt 3 or Thunderbolt 4. And if you’re rocking a beloved Thunderbolt 2 machine, we offer an adapter so you can plug into our universe of award-winning solutions. No hassles, no confusion. That’s the OWC Difference.
Apple Mac models with Thunderbolt 2/Thunderbolt ports can be connected using an Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter and a Thunderbolt 2 cable (available separately). This configuration provides data transfer at up to 20Gb/s but does not support notebook charging.
OWC’s ThunderBay 4 brings to the market capacities that have yet to be seen in such a compact medium, as well as the performance and data security that only RAID 5 can provide!
– Les Tokar, The SSD Review
Easy and Complete Drive Management with SoftRAID XT
SoftRAID XT is the most powerful, intuitive RAID management software on the market for macOS and Windows. SoftRAID’s RAID creation and management technology has been finely tuned to perfection with over 20 years of development to provide rock solid protection of your data and optimize drive performance. It is packed with features like multiple RAID options, validation and verification of drives, and predictive disk failure with SoftRAID Monitor. SoftRAID provides a level of performance that you simply can’t get with hardware RAID.
Multiple RAID Levels
Create advanced RAID 0/1/4/5/1+0 (10)1 volumes for higher performance and/or redundancy.2
Disk Health
More accurate than SMART, SoftRAID protects your data by alerting you to issues before anything happens, providing peace of mind and giving you more time to address issues. Solutions that rely exclusively on SMART data can be seeing performance loss or corruption before flagging an issue.
Cross-Platform
Built-in MacDrive technology lets you read/write SoftRAID HFS+ RAID 0/1/5 arrays and use them interchangeably between Windows and macOS.
Flexible, Upgradeable
With SoftRAID you’re not locked to expensive hardware. SoftRAID is upgradable and portable.
Easy License Management
New license management enables quick activation or deactivation so your license can move between computers.
Compatible
Works with macOS 10.12 or later and Windows 10 and later.3
SoftRAID is ideal for anyone who needs to safely store and backup massive amounts of data, including video editors, audio producers, photographers and graphic designers.
- RAID 4/1+0 (10) is available for Mac only at this time.
- Improved data protection/redundancy requires RAID 1/4/5/1+0.
- SoftRAID serial numbers work on both Mac and Windows. SoftRAID is licensed per computer. In order to use SoftRAID on multiple computers, you will need a unique, valid license per computer. Additional licenses can be purchased anytime.
Workflow and Storage Solutions for Pros
Whether you’re finishing and mastering, creating proxies or working with state-of-the-art VFX and AR, you need dependable tech that keeps pace with your demands. OWC workflow and storage solutions cover every angle, delivering blazing speed, capacity for all five levels of RAID, and bonus features like the freedom to daisy-chain and hot-swap.
Use the chart to find the perfect match for your workflow and storage. View Chart »
Your Digital Life…
Protected for Free
Your data is irreplaceable, and we take protecting it seriously. That’s why this OWC Solution includes Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office – the world’s only combination backup and antimalware solution that keeps your data protected from accidents, failures, and malware/ransomware attacks.
- Complete Backup And Fast Recovery – Quickly restore your files or entire system at any time.
- Easy Disk Cloning and Full Image Backup – Just two clicks to start a full disk image backup.
- Cloud, Local or Hybrid Cloud Backup – Back up locally, to the cloud, or both. With 250GB of cloud storage, it’s your choice.
- Integrated Protection from Malware – Behavioral heuristics stop ransomware and cryptojacking.
Learn more about Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office »
Stabilize Thunderbolt and USB-C Cables with OWC ClingOn
Active workspaces expose gear to bumps, shoves, or even the random tail wag from a pet. OWC ClingOn custom cable stabilizers (sold separately) screw into the OWC ThunderBay’s housing to reduce – if not completely eliminate – cable strain on Thunderbolt and USB-C connections so you can work with confidence even in the highest traffic environments.
Professional Grade = Ready to Work
We understand having confidence in gear reliability is paramount to creative professionals. That’s why every ThunderBay undergoes OWC’s multi-hour “burn-in” performance certification prior to shipping. This ensures your ThunderBay arrives operating properly and immediately ready for demanding use.
OWC Thunderbolt Cable Included
OWC ThunderBay solutions come with a certified 0.7M OWC Thunderbolt (USB-C) Cable. But if your workflow demands a different length to make the connection, OWC Thunderbolt (USB-C) Cables are the perfect choice.
OWC, Trusted by Pros & Enthusiasts the World Over
We build our hardware to the highest standards of reliability and performance. Because 100% reliability is always the goal, we rigorously quality test and back our hardware with up to a 5 Year OWC Limited Warranty and award-winning customer support.
- Apple Mac models with Thunderbolt 2/Thunderbolt ports can be connected using an Apple Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) to Thunderbolt 2 Adapter and a Thunderbolt 2 cable (available separately). This configuration provides data transfer at up to 20Gb/s but does not support notebook charging.
- 5 year OWC Limited Warranty for Enterprise Hard Drive solutions. 3 Year OWC Limited Warranty for Hard Drive solutions. 1 year OWC Limited Warranty for Enclosure only.
OWC ThunderBay 4 External HDD Specs
| Storage Capacity | 72 TB |
| Included Drives | 4 x 18 TB 3.5″ HDD |
| Cache Memory per Drive | 512 MB |
| Initial RAID Configuration | RAID 5 |
| Interface | SATA III |
| Rotational Speed | 7200 rpm |
| Number of Bays | 4 x 2.5″/3.5″ |
| I/O | 2 x USB Type-C (Thunderbolt 3 (40 Gb/s)) 1 x DisplayPort (DisplayPort 1.2) |
| Compatible Drive Interface | SATA III |
| Form Factor | Desktop |
| RAID | RAID 0, 1, 10, 4, 5, JBOD |
| OS Compatibility | Windows 10 or Later macOS 10.12 or Later *As of May, 2021: Check with manufacturer for the most up-to-date compatibility |
| Security Features | Kensington Security Slot |
| AC Input Power | 100 to 230 VAC, 50 / 60 Hz |
| Power Source | Internal Power Supply |
| Operating Temperature | 50 to 95°F / 10 to 35°C |
| Storage Temperature | -40 to 149°F / -40 to 65°C |
| Status Monitoring | LED Indicator |
| Cooling | 1 x 92 mm Fan |
| Dimensions | 9.6 x 7 x 5.3″ / 243.8 x 177.8 x 134.6 mm |
| Weight | 12.6 lb / 5.7 kg |
| Package Weight | 18 lb |
| Box Dimensions (LxWxH) | 15.4 x 14.3 x 11″ |
