I recently replaced my failing BlackX external drive enclosure with an Insignia from Best Buy. Needed something same-day, and it was in stock.
Now I’m revisiting a recommendation I received on this forum:
The Insigina is USB 3.0. The lower-priced OWC is USB 3.1. The higher-priced OWC is Thunderbolt 2.
Given the fact that the box on the one from Best Buy was pretty ragged and had none of the original packaging (sold as “new”), I’m questioning whether I even want to keep it - but it’s propping me up temporarily.
If I did keep it, it’s USB 3.0. Which by my understanding is 5 Gbps. The cheaper one from OWC is USB 3.1, which is double that. And the more expensive OWC one is Thunderbolt 2, which is quadruple that.
But for the average external hard drive, any of those speeds should be faster than the drive, even if it was an SSD….correct?
And if so, is there a reason I’d benefit from USB 3.1 or Thunderbolt?
I realize that the OWC product will almost certainly be more reliable, and will actually be new when I purchase it. But I’m wondering why the Thunderbolt version costs almost twice as much.
Any insight?