ACASIS TB504 Review: An 80Gbps Thunderbolt 5 Storage Dock for Mac Creators and Local AI

 JUMP TO KEY SECTIONS

Four NVMe Slots, Up to 32TB of Storage
80Gbps Thunderbolt 5 Connectivity
Real-World SSD Performance on MacBook Pro
A Practical Storage Hub for Local AI
Display Expansion and Power Delivery
Aluminum Cooling and Everyday Usability
Is the ACASIS TB504 Worth Considering?
Conclusion

Four NVMe SSD slots, up to 32TB of storage, dual 80Gbps USB-C ports, and support for high-resolution displays. The ACASIS TB504 combines high-speed storage and desktop expansion in one compact workstation accessory.

 As Apple Silicon Macs become increasingly capable of handling 4K and 8K video editing, 3D rendering, and AI-assisted workflows, external storage is becoming a bigger part of the desktop setup. Large media libraries, AI model files, and project assets can quickly overwhelm a laptop's internal storage.

The ACASIS TB504 is designed for users who need more than a conventional external SSD enclosure. It combines four M.2 NVMe SSD slots, Thunderbolt 5 connectivity, and display expansion in a single aluminum enclosure.

We tested the TB504 with a MacBook Pro powered by Apple's M4 Pro chip, looking at storage performance, display output, connectivity, and everyday usability.

Four NVMe Slots, Up to 32TB of Storage

The TB504 supports four M.2 NVMe SSDs, with a maximum advertised capacity of 32TB when configured with four 8TB drives.

 That capacity makes it suitable for video production libraries, large photography collections, development projects, and local AI model storage. Instead of switching between multiple external drives, creators can keep more of their working files in one enclosure.

The enclosure supports M.2 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280, and 22110 SSD form factors. Its aluminum housing features a finned design to help dissipate heat during sustained workloads.

Installation is straightforward: remove the enclosure cover, insert the SSDs, secure them, and reinstall the cover. The included accessories provide the basic hardware needed for installation.

Note: Actual usable capacity and storage performance depend on the installed SSDs, RAID configuration, and host system.

80Gbps Thunderbolt 5 Connectivity

Thunderbolt 5 offers up to 80Gbps of bidirectional bandwidth, providing a faster connection for demanding external storage and peripheral workflows than conventional 10Gbps or 20Gbps USB-C solutions.

The TB504 features two 80Gbps USB-C ports, allowing users to connect a host computer and additional high-speed peripherals. It also supports high-resolution display output, making it useful as part of a multi-display workstation.

For MacBook Pro users, this means a single connected storage hub can help consolidate external SSD storage, displays, and other peripherals. The exact display configurations supported depend on the Mac model, macOS version, and connected displays.

Real-World SSD Performance on MacBook Pro

We connected the TB504 to a 16-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Pro and installed a 4TB ZhiTai TiPlus7100 NVMe SSD.

In CrystalDiskMark 8.0, the drive achieved the following results:

In Blackmagic Disk Speed Test, we recorded read speeds of approximately 4,099 MB/s and write speeds of approximately 5,616 MB/s.

Results vary between benchmark applications and depend on the SSD, test settings, and system configuration. These figures represent our specific test setup rather than guaranteed performance for every four-drive configuration.

For creators working with large video files, these speeds can make copying footage, loading project assets, and accessing external media libraries more responsive. Actual editing performance will also depend on the video codec, number of streams, and editing software.

A Practical Storage Hub for Local AI

Local AI is creating new demands for desktop storage. Model weights, datasets, checkpoints, and generated media can consume hundreds of gigabytes or more, particularly when users work with multiple models and projects.

The TB504 provides a high-capacity external storage option for AI workstations and compatible Mac systems. Users can keep large model files and datasets on NVMe storage while running inference or other AI workloads on a supported host computer.

Its dual high-speed USB-C connectivity also helps accommodate additional peripherals. However, storage bandwidth alone does not determine AI performance: model loading, inference speed, and training throughput depend on the host processor, GPU, memory, software, and workload.

For creators who want to keep large AI assets locally rather than continually moving them between drives, the TB504 offers a consolidated storage solution.

Display Expansion and Power Delivery

The TB504 is designed to do more than store files. In our MacBook Pro test setup, we confirmed stable 4K output at 60Hz over USB-C.

The device also supports high-resolution display configurations, including up to 8K output under compatible configurations. Actual resolution, refresh rate, and the number of supported displays depend on the host computer and display connection.

During our power test, a POWER-Z KM003C meter recorded approximately 136W while the MacBook Pro was connected. This was a measured result under our test conditions, not a guarantee of continuous charging at that level.

Combining storage, display connectivity, and power delivery helps reduce desktop cable clutter, particularly for users building a Mac-based editing or productivity workstation.

Aluminum Cooling and Everyday Usability

The TB504 uses a full-aluminum enclosure with external cooling fins. Rather than relying solely on a small fan, the design uses the metal housing to dissipate heat.

During our testing, the enclosure became warm under sustained data transfers but remained functional throughout the test session. Temperatures will vary with SSD selection, ambient conditions, airflow, and workload.

The trade-off is size and weight: the TB504 is a desktop-oriented storage hub rather than a pocket-sized portable SSD. Its four-drive capacity and integrated connectivity make it better suited to a permanent desk setup.

Is the ACASIS TB504 Worth Considering?

The ACASIS TB504 is aimed at users who need high-capacity NVMe storage, fast connectivity, and display expansion without filling their desks with separate enclosures and adapters.

It is particularly relevant to:

• MacBook Pro creators editing high-resolution video or managing large media libraries.
• Local AI users storing model weights, datasets, and project files.
• Photographers and filmmakers who need a centralized workspace for large collections of media.
• Power users building multi-display desktop setups with high-speed external storage.

Conclusion

If you only need to back up documents or expand a laptop with a single external SSD, 80Gbps m.2 NVMe Enclosure may be more economical. But if your workflow depends on multiple NVMe drives, high-speed transfers, and a consolidated desktop setup, the TB504 is a more comprehensive option.

The ACASIS TB504 brings Thunderbolt 5 storage and desktop expansion together in one enclosure. For Mac creators and local AI enthusiasts working with increasingly large files, it offers a practical way to expand storage capacity while keeping a high-speed workstation organized.