Question on M4/M5 Macbook Pros and use of high speed external SSD drives

[hassiman]

Hi,
I am considering the purchase of a new Macbook Pro with either the M4 Pro or M5 chip and Thunderbolt 5 ports.
I already have a Samsung T9 SSD external drive that is capable of high speed throughput but my understanding is that as of 2024 the MacBooks and Mac computers are not compatible with Gen 2 2X2 protocol. Is this still the case even with the newest generation of MacBooks and studios with Thunderbolt 5 ports??
If so, are there any SSD drive housings that will accept SSDs that can take full advantage of the speed of Thunderbolt 5?
Thanks... Rich

 

[EugW]

What are you using it for?

As you go from USB 3 to USB 4 / TB 4 to USB 4 v2 / TB 5, the drives get progressively hotter. However, USB 4 / TB 4 and USB 4 v2 / TB 5 are treated as a completely different type of peripheral than USB 3, more reliable with more proper hardware support and better speed.

If you want top speed, you can buy a TB 5 enclosure with matching drive, but you'll have to make sure the heat is managed correctly. If you want much faster than USB 3 speed, but don't need blistering fast speed, then a TB 4 / USB 4 enclosure may fit the bill, and while heat generation is still an issue, it's more easy to manage.

For example, the passively cooled OWC 1M2 80 Gbps USB 4 v2 costs almost twice as much as the OWC 1M2 40 Gbps USB 4, but then again that's only a US$100 difference. Personally, I like the Qwiizlab / Colorii / Hagibis 40 Gbps enclosures that have equally good passive cooling but which cost much less.

 

[maflynn]

If so, are there any SSD drive housings that will accept SSDs that can take full advantage of the speed of Thunderbolt 5?

I'm not sure what you mean by this?

There are quite a number of TB enclosures, both hubs with M.2 and just drive enclosures. I myself have a OWC Envoy Ultra and that drive is as fast as my internal drive. Quite happy with the overall performance.

 

[Mike Boreham]

I'm not sure what you mean by this?

There are quite a number of TB enclosures, both hubs with M.2 and just drive enclosures. I myself have a OWC Envoy Ultra and that drive is as fast as my internal drive. Quite happy with the overall performance.

There are indeed a lot of TB enclosures that are very fast but not that many TB5 (80gbps) enclosures. This is one, for example. Not a recommendation as I have no experience, though Acasis are a good name in enclosures.