OWC / Other World Computing 4 TB Mercury Elite-AL Pro Quad Interface External Dual Drive Array with RAID 0
The stylish 4 TB Mercury Elite-AL Pro Quad Interface External Dual Drive Array with RAID 0 from OWC is an external hard drive array that utilizes two high-capacity, high-performance hard drives and offers superb data transfer speeds. This enclosure contains two Hitachi Deskstar 7K3000 2.0 TB hard drives that spin at a swift speed of 7200 rpm, have a fast 6.0 Gbps SATA drive interface, and boast a total storage capacity of 4.0 TB. They also each boast a 64 MB buffer. The drives come preconfigured as a RAID 0 array, so that you can experience maximum data transfer performance from this array. In addition, this array utilizes an Oxford 944 Bridge chipset for increased speed.
RAID, or Redundant Array of Independent Disks, is a system that stores the same data on different drives, so that if one drive fails, you don't lose all your data. RAID 0, essentially 'No RAID,' also known as Striping Mode, allows for maximum performance as data is "striped" across the drives, using the full speed of the individual hard disks. This setting offers no redundancy and, thus, little protection against data loss, but it maximizes usable drive capacity.
For connecting the drive to your computer, you have numerous options. You can use one of two built-in FireWire 800 ports, the eSATA port, the FireWire 400 port, or the USB 2.0 port. The USB 2.0 port is also backwards compatible with computers that have older USB ports. You can transfer data at speeds up to 3.0 Gbps via the eSATA port, 800 Mbps via the FireWire 800 port, 400 Mbps via the FireWire 400 port, and 480 Mbps via the USB 2.0 port.
This external hard drive array comes formatted for Mac computers and is plug-and-play via the USB 2.0 port; however, you can reformat the drive to work with Windows as well. While you can easily use it to store additional files or backup your hard drive, you can also use it as an external boot drive for your Mac or Windows computer. Along with the drive, you'll receive the following software: Intech's Hard Disk SpeedTools Utilities, Prosoft's Engineering Data Backup, NovaStor's NovaBACKUP, Carbon Copy Cloner, and over 1.5 GB of other free programs.
- High-Capacity, High-Performance
- This unit utilizes a Oxford 944 Bridge chipset and features a storage capacity of 4.0 TB spread across 2 SATA drives that both spin at a fast 7200 rpm and that have 64 MB of cache apiece
- Data Speeds
-
With one USB 2.0 port that's backwards compatible with older USB ports, one eSATA port, two FireWire 800 ports, and one FireWire 400 port, experience data transfer rates between your drive and your computer at the below speeds:
eSATA: up to 3.0 Gbps or 384 MB/sec
FireWire 800: up to 800 Mbps or 100 MB/sec
FireWire 400: up to 400 Mbps or 50 MB/sec
USB 2.0: up to 480 Mbps or 60 MB/sec
USB 1.1: up to 12 Mbps or 1.5 MB/sec
- Portable
- The variety of interfaces and the compact, shock-resistant design allow you to use the drive with a wide variety of computers and take it with you wherever you go
- Stylish
- This drive was created in mind to suit the look of the Power Macintosh G5 system, but has enough style to compliment any user's computer system. Also, a stylish, blue activity LED is recessed behind the front grille showing when your drive is being accessed
- Bootable Startup Drive
- You can also use the unit as an external startup drive for your Mac or Windows computer with any of the interfaces 1
- Time Machine Ready
- Use the drive with Time Machine right out of the box and backup all your system files
- Mac Formatted But Windows Compatible
- Formatted for use with Mac computers but can be reformatted for use with Windows PCs
- Warranty and Data Recovery
- Three-year limited warranty with 48-hr turnaround time, plus complimentary 6-month level 1 data recovery
- Prosoft Engineering Data Backup 3
- Data Backup allows you to easily backup files to FireWire and USB drives, network drives, CDs and even DVDs. Make schedules so you don't need to 'think' about backing up your files. Prosoft does it for you. It's compatible with Mac OS X 10.2.8 or later
- Carbon Copy Cloner
- CCC 3 features an interface designed to make the cloning and backup procedure very intuitive. In addition to general backup, CCC can also clone one hard drive to another, copying every single block or file to create an exact replica of your source hard drive. It is compatible with Mac OS X 10.4 or later
- NovaStor NovaBACKUP
- Feature rich NovaBACKUP provides a powerful backup solution. Built-in support for hundreds of the most popular storage devices and a step-by-step backup and restore wizard makes NovaBACKUP extremely easy to use. It is compatible with Windows 2000 or later
- Intech SpeedTools Utilities
- SpeedTools consists of a suite of utilities managed by an application which controls the launching, documentation and version control of each individual component utility, such as Disk Defrag and QuickBack. Installing and removing the suite is easy and can also be customized if you want to pick and choose which utility components to install. The OEM Edition 3.6 is compatible with Mac OS 10.3.9 or later, while the classic version (also included) works with Mac OS 8.6 to 9.2.2
Go To
| Performance | |
|---|---|
| Capacity |
4.0 TB 2x 2.0 TB disks |
| Drive Interface | SATA (Serial ATA) 6.0 Gbps |
| Chipset | Oxford 944 Bridge |
| Drive Speed | 7200 rpm |
| Buffer | 64 MB per drive |
| Port |
1x eSATA 2x FireWire 800 (9-pin) 1x FireWire 400 (6-pin) 1x USB 2.0/1.1. (5-pin) |
| Transfer Rate |
Max Data Transfer Rates: eSATA: up to 3.0 Gbps or 384 MB/sec FireWire 800: up to 800 Mbps or 100 MB/sec FireWire 400: up to 400 Mbps or 50 MB/sec USB 2.0: up to 480 Mbps or 60 MB/sec USB 1.1: up to 12 Mbps or 1.5 MB/sec |
| Sustained Transfer Rate | Not specified by the manufacturer |
| RAID | RAID 0 Performance Striping (default setting) for maximum performance (requires 2 identical hard drives) |
| Format |
Pre-formatted for Mac OSX Reformatting required for Windows |
| Shock |
65 G 2 mS (operating) 175 G 2mS (non-operating) |
| Vibration |
1.0 G (5.0 - 300 Hz) (operating) 5.0 G (5.0 - 500 Hz) (non-operating) |
| MTBF | Over 300,000 power-on hr |
| System Requirements |
Macintosh System Requirements: Mac OS 8.6 to 9.2.2 and an available USB 1.1 or FireWire 400 port Mac OS X 10.2.8 or later and an available USB 2.0/1.1, FireWire 800/400 port, or eSATA port Windows System Requirements: Windows XP (64 bit) or later and an available USB 2.0/1.1, FireWire 800/400, or eSATA port Linux Requirements: Linux compatible via supported USB and FireWire interfaces |
| Boot Requirements |
Below are the requirements for using the drive as an external boot disk. eSATA General Requirement for either Mac or Windows Computers: Bootable eSATA host controller Mac: Built-in: Any SATA based Mac using a built-in SATA connection adapted to an eSATA connection will support booting. Port multiplier enclosures are not supported. Card/HBA: Most eSATA expansion cards or host board adapters will not be bootable. Check with your specific card manufacturer regarding Mac boot support. PC: Will boot as long as your BIOS supports booting from the eSATA interface. BIOS support will vary by motherboard and host board adapters. FireWire 800 Boot/Startup Mac: Intel Macs and some PowerPC Macs running OS 8.6 or later. Please note, non-Intel Macs will not be able to boot external enclosures that have over 2.2 TB support enabled. This is a hardware limitation of the computer. PC: Will boot as long as your BIOS supports booting from the FireWire 800 interface. BIOS support will vary by motherboard and host board adapters. FireWire 400 Boot/Startup Mac: Intel Macs and some PowerPC Macs running OS 8.6 or later. Please note, non-Intel Macs will not be able to boot external enclosures that have over 2.2 TB support enabled. This is a hardware limitation of the computer. PC: Will boot as long as your BIOS supports booting from the FireWire 400 interface. BIOS support will vary by motherboard and host board adapters. USB 2.0 Boot/Startup Mac: All Intel Macs. Unofficial support exists for various PowerPC models running OS 8.6 or later, but OWC cannot guarantee any particular boot support. Please note, PowerPC Macs will definitely not be able to boot external enclosures that have over 2.2 TB support enabled. This is a hardware limitation of the computer. PC: Will boot as long as your BIOS supports booting from the USB 2.0 interface. BIOS support will vary by motherboard and host board adapters. |
| General | |
|---|---|
| Mounting | Upright |
| Power Requirements | 5 A 100-240 V 50/60 Hz US/International Auto Switching |
| Environmental Requirements |
Temperature: 41° to 131°F / 5.0° to 55°C (operating) -40° to 149°F / -40° to 65°C (non-operating) Relative Humidity: While operating: 8.0 - 90% RH (Non-condensing) While not-operating: 5.0 - 95% RH (Non-condensing) |
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | 2.9 x 9.0 x 5.3" / 7.3 x 22.9 x 13.4 cm |
| Weight | 5.8 lb / 2.63 kg |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 2 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
Reviewed by 2 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-2
Pros
- Attractive Design
- Compact
- Easy To Set Up
- Easy to use
- High Capacity
- Portable
- Quiet
Cons
Best Uses
- Additional Storage
- Photo Storage
- Video
Comments about OWC / Other World Computing 4 TB Mercury Elite-AL Pro Quad Interface External Dual Drive Array with RAID 0:
This drive works perfect but to use this on xp you have to set the jumpers inside of the array to use both individual 2TB disks. windows7 it will work as a perfect 4TB one large drive. and because of the XP issue i only gave 4stars.
- Primary use:
- Business
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about OWC / Other World Computing 4 TB Mercury Elite-AL Pro Quad Interface External Dual Drive Array with RAID 0:
This would be a five star rating if the actual capacity was closer to 4 TB. Out of the box, the capacity is 3.6 TB. That's not a huge complaint. You can't expect to access the full capacity of any hard drive. Still, for such a quality product it's hard to beat the price.
- Primary use:
- Business
- Computer Platform:
- Mac
Displaying reviews 1-2
Host Adapters
- Price: $218.91
- Price: $124.95
Spare & Replacement Drives
- Price: $139.00
Power Accessories
- Price: $83.95
What's in the Box
- Drive Enclosure
- 36" High Quality Double Shielded eSATA Connecting Cable
- 36" High Quality Double Shielded FireWire 800 Connecting Cable (9-9 Pin)
- 36" High Quality Double Shielded FireWire 400 Connecting Cable (6-6 Pin)
- 36" High Quality Double Shielded USB 2.0/1.1 Connecting Cable
- External AutoSwitching 100/240 V 50/60 Hz Power Adapter
- Power Cord
- Screw Package
- Owner's Manual
- Software CD with Data Backup 3, Carbon Copy Cloner, NovaBACKUP, and SpeedTools Utilities
- Over 1.5 GB of Freeware/Shareware/Public Domain Software Installed
- 3-Year Limited Warranty with 48-Hour Turnaround Time
- Complimentary 6 Month Level 1 Data Recovery
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