Akitio

Overview

Akitio designs and manufactures external computer storage products and accessories, specializing in Thunderbolt technology for PCIe expansion, including external GPUs, 10GbE Ethernet, and add-on cards. Products are compatible with PC, Mac, and Linux systems. The brand develops proprietary software for product testing, data duplication, screenshots, and security checks to support digital imaging technician workflows.

History

Established in 1992, Akitio focused on premium external storage solutions. It expanded into Thunderbolt 3 products like enclosures and docking stations. On January 1, 2019, Other World Computing (OWC) acquired Akitio, integrating it into OWC's portfolio while maintaining the brand for external storage.

Product Lines

Manufacturing

Products are designed in the US with headquarters in California. Manufacturing details are not specified, but the company emphasizes in-house mechanical and PCBA designs. Likely outsourced to international facilities common in the industry.

Notable Products

• Akitio OTTO - 8-bay Thunderbolt 3 enclosure with SAS/SATA RAID options and 60W power delivery.
• Thunderbolt 3 10GbE Docking Station - Docking solution combining 10GbE networking and Thunderbolt expansion.
• ThunderGo - Portable bus-powered drive with Thunderbolt and USB 3.0 connectivity.
• Thunderbolt 3 PCIe Expansion Box - Enclosure for external GPUs and add-on cards.

Reputation

Akitio is regarded by Mac users and video professionals for reliable Thunderbolt enclosures suited to high-workload environments. Strengths include compatibility across platforms and workflow software integration. Some note limited visibility post-acquisition by OWC, with products seen as solid but not leading in capacity or speed compared to enterprise options.