The new OWC StudioStack brings SSD speeds close to Apple's fastest to Macs, pairing a Thunderbolt 5 hub with up to 32TB of storage.

The OWC StudioStack is the latest in the line of storage that fits underneath a pre-M4 redesign Mac mini or Mac Studio, and expands the storage and port options of Apple's desktop Macs, especially the Mac Studio and Mac mini. It connects through Thunderbolt 5 but is backward compatible with Thunderbolt 4 and Thunderbolt 3 systems.

According to OWC, the StudioStack can reach up to 6,302 MB/s when paired with a compatible NVMe SSD, approaching the speed of Apple's fastest internal drives and exceeding most. It supports one NVMe M.2 SSD and one 3.5-inch SATA drive for a combined capacity of up to 32TB.

Users can install their own drives or purchase pre-configured versions from OWC.

Display support, and port expansion

Built from aircraft-grade aluminum, the StudioStack is designed to match the size and style of the Mac Studio and pre-M4 Mac mini.

Silver rectangular device with rounded edges, featuring multiple USB ports, ventilation holes, and various input connections. Branded with a logo on top surface.

StudioStack on Mac Studio. Image credit: OWC

OWC lists support for up to three 8K displays through Thunderbolt 5, but the number of external monitors you can actually connect depends on the Mac's chip. The M4 and M4 Pro Macs can drive up to three displays, while the Mac Studio with M4 Max supports up to five.

The Mac Studio with M3 Ultra goes even further, handling up to eight displays through a mix of Thunderbolt and HDMI outputs. Although Thunderbolt 5 can theoretically handle three 8K displays from one host port, macOS currently limits most Macs to two native external displays per port.

The StudioStack also adds three USB-A ports and improved thermal control inside an enclosure sized to match the Mac Studio rather than the Mac mini.

  • Three Thunderbolt 5 (USB-C) ports supporting 80 Gb/s throughput
  • Three USB-A 10 Gb/s (USB 3.2 Gen 2) ports — two side-mounted for quick access, one on the rear
  • Power input connector
  • Includes an 11.8-inch (0.3 m) Thunderbolt 5 cable

Thunderbolt 5 doubles the bandwidth of Thunderbolt 4 to 80 Gb/s, with a peak of 120 Gb/s for display-heavy setups. Few accessories currently take full advantage of that bandwidth, so the StudioStack represents one of the first real-world uses of the new standard.

Silver computer back panel featuring one USB-A port, four USB-C ports, a power input, and ventilation slots.

Rear view of the StudioStack. Image credit: OWC

The StudioStack gives professionals a modular way to add capacity without sacrificing speed. For video editors, 3D artists, and AI developers, the ability to edit and cache large files at near-internal speeds can make a real difference.

How it compares to the miniStack STX

OWC's latest enclosure builds on the earlier miniStack STX, which combined an M.2 NVMe slot with a SATA drive bay under Thunderbolt 4. That older model had drive speeds that topped out around 770 MB/s, relatively fast for its time but limited by bandwidth.

Two stacked electronic devices on a wooden surface, featuring various ports and a connected cable with a label.

OWC's miniStack enclosure

With Thunderbolt 5 now in play, speeds climb to 6,302 MB/s.

Designed mainly for M1 and M2 Macs, the STX gave way to a version optimized for M3 machines, with better speed on M4 systems that can use Thunderbolt 5's full bandwidth. Display support has expanded too, jumping from two external monitors to as many as three 8K screens.

Altogether it's a more powerful, desktop-focused evolution of the same stacked design.

Pricing and availability

The StudioStack enclosure starts at $329.99, with pre-orders open through OWC's website and authorized resellers. Configurations with preinstalled drives will cost more depending on capacity.

Each unit includes a certified 11.8-inch Thunderbolt 5 cable, an external power supply, and a limited warranty. Shipping is expected to begin in mid-December.