Thunderbolt is a hardware interface that allows for the connection of external peripherals to a computer. Thunderbolt was developed by Intel with technical collaboration from Apple and was commercially introduced on Apple’s 2011 MacBook Pro, using the same Apple-developed connector as MDP. The best feature of Thunderbolt is that offers up to 10Gbps data rates and the ability to chain up to multiple devices together. Thunderbolt-based storage devices are very fast and they are faster than a computer’s internal drive or even USB 3.0.
So in case you are using a Macbook, you might want to consider buying a Thunderbolt storage drive to get faster access to data. Here is a current list of the top Thunderbolt storage solutions.
1. WD My Book VelociRaptor Duo:
The My Book VelociRaptor Duo is one of the best Thunderbolt storage devices with excellent performance, practical design, and a relatively decent pricing. With the extreme speed of two 10,000 RPM WD VelociRaptor drives inside united with the revolutionary speed of Thunderbolt technology your creative inspirations have never moved so fast. As the name indicates, it comes with dual storage drives.
2. WD My Book Thunderbolt Duo:
The WD My Book Thunderbolt Duo is a cheaper variant which makes a very good external storage device for Thunderbolt-enabled Macs with decent performance. You can customize this dual-drive storage system to your needs, RAID 0 for speed, RAID 1 for data protection, JBOD to use the drives individually.
3. Buffalo MiniStation Thunderbolt:
Buffalo MiniStation Thunderbolt offers easy plug and play USB and Thunderbolt storage featuring the revolutionary Thunderbolt technology for unparalleled transfer speeds and a USB port for universal connectivity. With speeds up to 10 Gbps, the MiniStation Thunderbolt portable hard drive offers speeds 2X FASTER than USB 3.0, giving you the fastest portable storage interface ever.
4. LaCie Rugged USB 3.0/Thunderbolt
LaCie Rugged USB 3.0/Thunderbolt comes with a combination of both USB 3.0 and also Thunderbolt. It is fast, flexible, rugged, and affordable. LaCie Rugged Thunderbolt is one of the best high-end portable drives on the market for use with both Mac and PC. LaCie Rugged is MIL-compliant for superior data protection from accidental drops up to 1.2 meters (4 feet).
5. G-RAID:
G-RAID with Thunderbolt, designed specifically for professional content creation applications, features the most powerful, flexible I/O technology ever. At double the data transfer rates of USB 3.0 and over 12 times faster than Firewire 800, no other PC I/O interface can match the raw speed of Thunderbolt now available in G-Technology’s leading RAID solution.
6. Seagate GoFlex for Mac ultra-portable drive:
The Seagate Portable Thunderbolt Kit is a true, all-in-one solution that includes everything you need to get Thunderbolt speed, at home or on the go: a Seagate Portable drive, a Thunderbolt cable and a Thunderbolt adapter. No external power supply required.
7. Promise Pegasus J4:
The Pegasus J4 is one of the fastest 2.5” HDD/SSD Thunderbolt enabled solution available, reaching transfer speeds exceeding 750MB/s with SSDs installed and up to 480MB/s with hard disks (7200 rpm HDD) installed. This incredible performance is not only achieved because Pegasus best leverages Thunderbolt technology, but also because its 4-bay design enables the performance to reach lighting fast levels that competing 1 or 2-bay solutions.
8. Promise Pegasus J2:
The Apple and Windows certified PROMISE Pegasus J2 Series Thunderbolt storage solution delivers the power of two mSATA SSD to content creators and power-users who work on-the-go. Along with Thunderbolt connectivity, the Pegasus J2 is super portable it’ll even fit in your pocket. Pegasus J2 is expensive and does not offer USB 3.0.
