The new M5 chips, announced this week by Apple, will enhance on-device AI performance, and OWC’s updated lineup is designed to help users take full advantage of that power, without overspending.

OWC, a long-time company in the Mac ecosystem, is rolling out updated Thunderbolt hubs, portable docks, and SSDs that work seamlessly with Apple’s new hardware. Each accessory has been optimised for creators, developers, and everyday users who need faster workflows, more ports, and expandable storage options.

Larry O’Connor, founder and CEO of OWC, said: “Apple just took a big step forward in performance and on-device AI. Our mission is to make that intelligence and power easy to use everywhere. With OWC hubs and docks, users can plug in everything they need or want, and then some. And with OWC storage, users get the smartest way to scale capacity, without overpaying – while enjoying unrivalled performance and reliability.”

Built for the M5 Generation

The company’s latest range includes three docking solutions:

• OWC Thunderbolt Hub ($128.99) – adds three Thunderbolt 4 ports and one USB port, expanding users’ connectivity options.
• OWC Thunderbolt Go Dock ($249.99) – combines three Thunderbolt 4 ports, three USB-A ports, a USB-C port, and 2.5G Ethernet, enabling full-scale desktop setups.
• OWC USB-C Travel Dock ($49.99) – a five-port portable hub that connects displays, transfers data, and delivers up to 100W power through a single USB-C cable.

For users who need portable, high-speed storage, OWC also revealed several SSD options:

• OWC Express 1M2 (up to 8TB, from $119.99) – an ultra-fast USB4 NVMe SSD enclosure that can be built or bought ready-to-use.
• OWC Envoy Pro FX (480GB–4TB, from $199.99) – a rugged, waterproof SSD offering speeds up to 2800MB/s via Thunderbolt or USB.
• OWC Envoy Pro Elektron (480GB–4TB, from $129.99) – a pocket-sized SSD with desktop-class performance for editing and backups.
• OWC Envoy Pro mini (500GB–2TB, from $94.99) – a thumb-sized drive offering professional-grade speed and compatibility.

These devices make it easier to connect external displays, import large media files, power multiple accessories, and edit projects directly from external storage, all while keeping pace with the features of Apple’s new M5 chip.

A Perfect Match for Apple’s Leap in AI Performance

Apple’s M5 chip, built on third-generation 3-nanometre technology, introduces a 10-core GPU with a Neural Accelerator in each core. The company claims it delivers “over 4x the peak GPU compute performance for AI compared to M4” and up to “45 percent faster graphics performance.”

Johny Srouji, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Technologies, said: “M5 ushers in the next big leap in AI performance for Apple silicon. With the introduction of Neural Accelerators in the GPU, M5 delivers a huge boost to AI workloads.”

The M5 chip also features a faster Neural Engine, improved CPU architecture, and increased unified memory bandwidth, allowing devices like the new MacBook Pro and iPad Pro to handle larger AI models and graphics-heavy tasks entirely on-device.

Value and Versatility

OWC says its solutions give users professional-grade performance at a fraction of the cost of Apple’s built-in upgrades. For example, the 4TB Express 1M2 costs $599, “about 50% less than comparable upgrades from the prevailing vendors,” according to the company.

Since its founding in 1988, OWC has been known for delivering reliable, high-performance tools for professionals in video, photography, and audio. This latest range continues that legacy, giving M5 users more leverage over how they expand and optimise their systems.

These newly launched models come in both 14-inch and 16-inch variants, featuring advanced M4, M4 Pro, and M4 Max chips. 

Designed for intense workloads, the MacBooks come with faster processing speeds and also integrate Apple’s proprietary Apple Intelligence system to enhance user experience while maintaining high-level privacy protections.

The 14-inch MacBook Pro, starting at $1,599, sports the M4 chip with a 10-core CPU and a 10-core GPU, built for professionals and students. It starts with 16GB of unified memory, upgradeable to 32GB, and a memory bandwidth of 120GB/s. 

Apple claims that this model is 1.8 times faster than the previous M1-based version in handling tasks such as high-resolution photo editing and complex 3D rendering. 

Meanwhile, the M4 Pro model further makes performance better with a 14-core CPU and a 20-core GPU, offering a significant increase in memory bandwidth, which Apple highlights as double the capacity of competing chips on the market.

For those with even more demanding needs, the M4 Max model comes with a 16-core CPU, up to a 40-core GPU, and supports 128GB of unified memory. 

Ideal for data scientists, 3D artists, and developers working with extensive datasets or large-scale machine learning models, this model can efficiently process tasks once limited to desktop systems. 

According to Apple, the M4 Max can process 3D animations and video rendering 3.5 times faster than its predecessor, the M1 Max.

Apple’s new nano-texture display, which helps minimise glare, and the improved Liquid Retina XDR display provide up to 1000 nits brightness for SDR and 1600 nits for HDR content, ensuring clarity under all lighting conditions. 

Video and audio quality is now better, with a 12MP Center Stage camera that enhances user visibility during calls and six-speaker audio support with Spatial Audio for immersive media experiences.

The new MacBook Pro models also integrate Thunderbolt 5 ports on the M4 Pro and M4 Max models, delivering up to 120 Gb/s transfer speeds, which will be especially valuable for creative professionals managing large files. Other connectivity options include an HDMI port, an SDXC card slot, a MagSafe 3 port, and support for Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.

Apple Intelligence, the technology embedded within the M4 processors, introduces personalised tools such as system-wide writing assistance, redesigned Siri functionality, and Apple’s new ChatGPT integration—scheduled to roll out in December. 

In processing tasks on-device, Apple maintains privacy while providing enhanced functionality, such as Siri’s ability to handle detailed user requests.

MacBook Pro now ships with macOS Sequoia, enhancing integration between Mac and iPhone with new iPhone Mirroring capabilities. 

Safari receives updates to streamline browsing, including a distraction-free reading mode, video enhancements, and tools tailored for gamers like Personalized Spatial Audio. 

With these upgrades, the MacBook Pro is both a high-powered tool for professional creators and also an all-encompassing platform for work, play, and personal productivity. 

The latest MacBook Pro models are available for pre-order, with deliveries set to begin on November 8.

The 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M4 chip starts at $1,599 ($1,499 with educational pricing), while the 14-inch model with the M4 Pro begins at $1,999 ($1,849 for education). For those choosing the 16-inch MacBook Pro, prices start at $2,499 ($2,299 for education). Each model is available in space black and silver, offering options for users who value both performance and style.