Other World Computing has officially launched the OWC Guardian. This portable solid state drive is designed for people who want to keep their data secure without giving up speed or simplicity. It works with USB-C Macs, iPad Pros, and Windows PCs.
What makes the Guardian stand out is how easy it is to use. You don’t need to install any software. Just plug it in and enter your password on the built-in color touchscreen. After that, you can drag and drop your files like normal.
The drive features 256-bit AES OPAL hardware encryption. Your data is encrypted when written and decrypted only after you unlock it. You can choose between a numeric PIN or a longer passphrase. There’s also support for multi-user access, read-only mode, secure erase, and even randomized keypad layouts for extra protection.
Despite all these security features, performance doesn’t suffer. OWC says the Guardian offers real-world transfer speeds of up to 1000MB per second. That makes it suitable for tasks like 4K video editing, large file backups, or high-speed media transfers.
The casing is made of anodized aluminum. This helps with heat management and adds a layer of physical protection. The drive is bus-powered, and OWC includes a USB-C cable in the box.
Prices start at $219.99 for the 1TB version. The 2TB model costs $329.99, while the 4TB version is priced at $529.99. All three capacities are available now at owc.com/solutions/guardian.
