OWC ThunderBay FLEX 8: The Ultimate Thunderbolt 3 Workflow Solution with Hardware RAID
Tame your most demanding professional workflows with the OWC ThunderBay FLEX 8, a highly configurable productivity platform designed for digital imaging, VFX, video production, and audio editing professionals. This all-in-one solution combines eight bays of high-capacity storage, a full-featured docking station, and the power of a dedicated hardware RAID controller into a single, elegant desktop unit. Say goodbye to cluttered desks and workflow bottlenecks; the ThunderBay FLEX 8 consolidates your entire command center into one groundbreaking device.
This specific configuration comes equipped with a powerful Areca ARC-1226-8i hardware RAID controller pre-installed in the PCIe slot. This means you get robust, high-performance RAID arrays (RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, and more) with dedicated processing power, ensuring maximum speed and data integrity without taxing your computer’s CPU. Configure up to 128TB of storage using a mix of SATA/SAS and U.2 NVMe drives to achieve blistering real-world speeds up to 2750MB/s, perfect for handling 4K/8K, high-framerate, and multi-stream RAW footage.
Beyond its immense storage power, the ThunderBay FLEX 8 is a connectivity workhorse. Power your laptop with 85W of charging, connect peripherals via front-mounted USB-C and USB-A ports, drive up to an 8K display, and ingest media at incredible speeds with frontside SD 4.0 and CFexpress card readers. With its irresistible economy of scale and unparalleled flexibility, the ThunderBay FLEX 8 is the definitive workflow solution for creators ready to invest in the future of Thunderbolt technology.
Key Features
- Pre-Configured Hardware RAID: Includes a high-performance Areca ARC-1226-8i hardware RAID controller for maximum speed and data protection, utilizing the built-in PCIe slot.
- Eight Universal Drive Bays: Supports any combination of 3.5"/2.5" SATA/SAS and U.2 NVMe drives for up to 128TB of total capacity.
- Blistering Thunderbolt 3 Speeds: Achieve real-world transfer speeds up to 2750MB/s, saturating the Thunderbolt 3 bus for seamless editing of high-resolution files.
- Complete Docking Station: Features (2) Thunderbolt 3 ports, (1) USB-C 10Gb/s port, (2) USB-A 10Gb/s ports, and 85W of laptop power delivery.
- Pro Media Ingest: Get fast access to your footage with front-facing CFexpress and SD 4.0 card readers.
- 8K Display Support: A dedicated DisplayPort 1.4 port allows you to connect a high-resolution monitor up to 8K @ 60Hz.
- Daisy-Chain Expansion: Free up ports on your computer by connecting up to five additional Thunderbolt devices.
Technical Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Host Interface | Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) up to 40 Gb/s |
| RAID Controller | Areca ARC-1226-8i (Hardware RAID) |
| RAID Levels Supported | RAID 0, 1, 3, 5, 6, 10, 30, 50, 60, JBOD |
| Drive Bays | 8 x 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch bays |
| Supported Drives | SATA/SAS drives (all bays), U.2 NVMe drives (top 4 bays) |
| Device Ports | (1) Thunderbolt 3 (for additional devices), (1) USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, (2) USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A |
| Laptop Charging | Up to 85W via Thunderbolt 3 host port |
| Display Port | DisplayPort 1.4 (supports up to 8K @ 60Hz or 4K @ 120Hz) |
| Media Card Slots | (1) CFexpress Type B, (1) Secure Digital (SD) 4.0 UHS-II |
| PCIe Slot | Populated with the included Areca Hardware RAID controller |
| Mac Compatibility | macOS 10.15.1 or later |
| PC Compatibility | Not compatible with Windows PCs |
| Dimensions (H x L x W) | 34.9 cm x 39.0 cm x 14.9 cm (13.7 in x 15.4 in x 5.9 in) |
| Warranty | Up to 5 Year OWC Limited Warranty |
Shipping policy
Any items which are in stock, will be dispatched immediately - same day if possible and morning of the following business day at the latest. Items which are not in stock at our local warehouse will be routed to us, and dispatched immediately upon arrival to us. In that case, the estimated dispatch time is noted on the product page.
Note that you are always welcome to email info@dittools.eu or call (+372) 5556 0057 for a more accurate shipping time estimate, as this does vary depending on a number of factors.
Standard shipping
Unless otherwise noted, all items are shipped standard via DPD. We normally ship to European Union countries only – do contact us for possible exceptions, particularly other European mainland countries. Shipping times vary between 1 to 10 business days within Europe – an up to date estimate will be given at checkout.
Express shipping
Our shipping partner for expedited deliveries is DHL Express; please contact us directly for a quote.
Returning an item
If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, you can return your item(s) for a full refund within 14 days of confirmed delivery.
Special sales, demo items and promotions may have modified return policies. If an item from a bundle is returned for refund, the total bundle discount or the total value of the gifts will get deducted from the returned item prior to issuing a refund. If the bundle discount (or gift value) exceeds the value of the returned item, the difference must be paid to be able to return the item.
Return autorization
If you would like to return any item(s), please contact us by either emailing info@dittools.eu or calling (+372) 5556 0057. We will share with you a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) code and ask that you clearly mark this code outside of your shipping box as you ship your item(s) back for a refund.
You will be liable for the shipping and any applicable customs/duty fees returning the item(s).
Incorrect items
If the return is made due to a faulty product, or an incorrectly shipped product, or if you are returning the item(s) due to a defect, or functionality issue, or because it is not the item you have ordered, we will gladly email or mail a return shipping label covering all shipping related expenses. In order to determine whether the return is initiated due to a technical problem, we may ask for you to provide visual support like images or a video on the item(s).
Shipping
Returned merchandise must be in its original packaging, and placed in a decent shipping box, e.g. the same box that we shipped the items to you in. Please make sure to clearly mark the RMA code you have received from us outside on the box.
Do not forget to cover or peel off any existing shipping labels on the box.
DIT Supplies OÜ cannot be held accountable for return shipments that have not reached us or returns made without RMA codes. We strongly advise that if you are returning the item(s) with a carrier of your choice that you use a traceable shipping method.
It may take 4-5 business days for your return to reach us. Once it is received and inspected, your refund will be processed and automatically applied to your credit card or original method of payment within 14 business days. Please note that depending on your credit card company, it may take an additional 2-4 business days after your credit is applied for it to post to your account.
Customs, duties & taxes
There are no customs duties or taxes on orders shipping within the EU. Orders shipped outside of the EU may be subject to import taxes, customs duties and fees collected by the destination country. The recipient of an international shipment may be subject to such import taxes, customs duties and fees, which are collected once a shipment reaches the recipient's country. Additional charges for customs clearance must be paid for by the recipient; we have no control over these charges and cannot predict what they may be. Customs policies vary widely from country to country; and when customs clearance procedures are required, it can cause delays beyond our original delivery estimates. We advise that you contact your local customs office for more information.