The OWC ThunderBay 8 RAID 5 Edition is an 8-bay external drive enclosure designed for high-capacity storage needs. It features dual Thunderbolt 3 ports, allowing for daisy-chaining up to six units for a massive 960TB of storage. The device is plug-and-play ready, requiring no drivers, and includes a Thunderbolt cable for immediate use.

Users have praised its build quality and performance, especially those transitioning from other brands like DROBO due to reliability issues. The enclosure supports both Mac and Windows, making it versatile for various users. However, some users have reported issues with the system becoming unresponsive after several days of use, regardless of the connected computer's OS.

The included SoftRAID XT software provides essential RAID features but has been criticized for its complexity and the need for annual updates, which come at an additional cost. Despite these drawbacks, the OWC ThunderBay 8 is appreciated for its robust construction and excellent customer support.

In summary, while the OWC ThunderBay 8 offers impressive storage capabilities and build quality, potential buyers should be aware of possible firmware issues and the ongoing costs associated with software updates.