OWC Envoy Pro Elektron (Hardware)
Official GBAtemp Review
Product Information:
- Official Store: https://www.owcdigital.com/products/envoy-pro-elektron
OWC calls the Envoy Pro “the fastest, toughest mini USB-C SSD in the galaxy”. That’s quite a lofty claim but this palm-sized external storage has some compelling selling points going for it. Let’s take a closer look!
As with other OWC external storage solutions, there are several options to choose from when purchasing the Envoy Pro Elektron. It starts at $94 for the 240GB version and can go up to $329 for the 2TB model. They are all powered by the OWC Aura SSD which is said to use “advanced NVMe technology” that can deliver up to twice as fast performance compared to other portable SSDs. In this review, we’ll take a look at the $199 1TB model.
You’ll find the following out of the box:
- OWC Envoy Pro Elektron
- USB-C cable with tethered USB Type-C to USB Type-A adapter
- Quick start guide
And the specs can be found below:
Out of the box, the OWC Envoy Pro Elektron strikes as a cutesy mini external SSD. Measuring 1.2 cm x 7.6 cm x 5.2 cm (0.5 x 3.0 x2.0 in) and weighing 85.0g (0.19 lbs), without a USB connection, it easily and inconspicuously fits in one’s pocket, bag, desk or even the palm! This incredibly small footprint design while packing considerable storage space struck me, making me instantly fall in love with this accessory’s aesthetics.
The aircraft-grade aluminium housing also helped in that regard. It is sleek and sturdy, bearing two rubber pads underneath, a LED indicator in front, a USB-C port at the back and the OWC logo on top. It definitely catches the eye of anyone having a soft spot for the minimalist appeal like me.
This housing choice also helps keep the Envoy Pro Elektron cool. It is efficient at dissipating heat for a throttle-free performance; and since it functions well without the need of an integrated fan, it remains silent.
Still on the build of this portable SSD, the Envoy Pro Elektron was designed to be crushproof, dustproof and waterproof rated IP67 (for up to 30 minutes at < 1 meter). This means you can easily take it anywhere and have peace of mind that your data/games will be secured. While not everyone will use it in extreme conditions where the accessory will sustain significant pressure, dust or water exposure, it shows that the Envoy Pro Elektron was really designed to be portable and usable anywhere. This makes it a great companion for on-the-go gaming for handheld gaming PCs like the Steam Deck or AYANEO. The included Type-C cable with a tethered Type-A adapter enables you to really use it with practically any device.
Nevertheless, the sturdy unibody design of the enclosure has a major downside in that it cannot be disassembled. While it supports NVMe M.2 SSD (2242 form factor with M-key connector), the very design that makes the Envoy Pro Elektron so compelling limits its ability to be user-upgradeable. If you were thinking of getting the affordable 240GB version, it’s better to think again to opt for a pricier model that bears more capacity so you won’t need to purchase yet another external storage.
EDIT: The enclosure can in fact be disassembled via the screws hidden under the rubber pads underneath.
But if you do decide to invest in one, it will deliver on lighting fast read/write speeds as OWC says that the Envoy Pro Elektron can deliver up to 1011MB/s. In practice, I found its values to lie within that range as well. I found that plugging the USB-C cable to a Thunderbolt port delivers better transfer speeds such as 637.2 MByte/sec read, 798.2 MByte/sec write or 660.1 MByte/sec read, 783.6 MByte/sec write. In contrast, a USB 3 port would yield values like 329.6 MByte/sec read, 378.3 MByte/sec write or 335.1 MByte/sec read, 374.7 MByte/sec write.
Plugging in to a Thunderbolt port might be your best bet but the Envoy Pro Elektron delivers more than decent speed and with its pockeable form factor and robust build, it can easily become your go-to external storage option, whether it’s for your gaming or general data transfer needs.
Verdict
- Small footprint design
- Fast transfer speed
- Heat dissipating aluminium housing
- Build quality
- Cannot disassemble enclosure (Edit: can disassemble via the screws hidden under the rubber pads)
