The USB 3.0 port maxes out at up 300 MB/s (megabytes per second). The USB 3.0 port is also backwards compatible with USB 2.0 and USB 1.1, but their speeds will be noticeably slower, since they are older technologies. The eSATA port also offers a maximum data-transfer rate of up to 300 MB/s. The dual FireWire 800 ports are not too far behind, with a maximum data-transfer rate of up to 100 MB/s per port. The FireWire 800 ports also support FireWire 400, but you’ll need to purchase the FireWire 400-to-FireWire 800 adapter separately.
The Mercury Elite Pro features a compact, shock-resistant design. While OWC states that the Mercury Elite Pro was created with the Mac Pro computer in mind, the stylish enclosure will work well with any computer. The aluminum enclosure features a drive bay that can hold a 3.5” SATA hard drive. Compatible with SATA I, II and III hard drives, the Mercury Elite Pro allows you to install a hard drive with a maximum capacity of up to 4TB. If you would like to use a 2.5” SATA drive, a common form factor for solid-state drives, you’ll need to purchase the AdapatDrive from OWC separately in order for the 2.5” drive to fit into the enclosure.
The Mercury Elite Pro 1-Bay Storage Kit may not come with a hard drive, but it comes with cables and a stand to help you get started as soon as you install one. There’s a 3’ eSATA-to-eSATA connecting cable, a 3’ FireWire 800 9-pin-to-9-pin connecting cable and a 3’ USB 3.0 Standard B-to-Standard A connecting cable. A vertical stand is also included for keeping your Mercury Elite Pro in an upright position for easy access to the ports.
The Mercury Elite Pro is compatible with both Mac and Windows computers. However, please be aware that you will be required to reformat each time you switch operating systems. You might also be interested to know that you can buy OWC Mercury Elite as complete solution with hard drive installed. B&H currently sells the bare enclosure and complete solutions. The Mercury Elite Pro also comes with a 1-year limited parts and labor warranty.
| Material | Brushed aluminum |
| Chipset | Oxford 944 and Oxford 3100 eSATA/FireWire/USB chipset |
| Drive Types Supported | Type: SATA I/II/III Max. Size: 4TB |
| Drive Bays | 1 |
| Port Configuration | 1 x USB 3.0 (Standard B port) 2 x FireWire 800 (9-pin port) 1 x eSATA |
| Maximum Data Rate | USB 3.0: up to 300 MB/s USB 2.0: up to 60 MB/s USB 1.1: up to 1.5 MB/s FireWire 800: up to 100 MB/s FireWire 400 (800 to 400 adapter required): up to 50 MB/s eSATA: up to 300 MB/s |
| Windows System Requirements | USB 3.0: Windows XP and later with USB 3.0 interface, either built in or via USB 3.0 expander card USB 2.0: Windows 2000 or later with USB 2.0 interface, either built in or via USB 2.0 expander card FireWire 800: Windows 2000 and later with FireWire 800 interface, either built in or via FireWire 800 expander card FireWire 400 (800 to 400 adapter required): Windows 2000 and later with FireWire 400 interface, either built in via FireWire 400 expander card eSATA: Windows 2000 and later with eSATA interface, either built in or via eSATA expander card |
| Mac System Requirements | Mac OS 8.6 to 9.2.2 compatible, OS X 10.1.x and later. Including Lion 10.7.x (10.2 or later required for FW800 and USB 2.0) USB 3.0: Mac with USB 3.0 interface, either built in or via USB 3.0 expander card USB 2.0: Mac with USB 2.0 interface, either built in or via USB 2.0 expander card FireWire 800: Mac with FireWire 800 interface, either built in or via FireWire 800 expander card FireWire 400 (800 to 400 adapter required): Mac with FireWire 400 interface, either built in or via FireWire 400 expander card eSATA: Mac with eSATA interface, either built in or via eSATA expander card Time Machine: Mac OS X 10.5 (version introduced) and later |
| Linux Requirements | Linux compatible via supported USB and FireWire interfaces |
| Recommended eSATA Cards* | eSATA Extender Cables for Mac Pro: Newer Technology eSATA Extender Cable Adapter PCIe (PCI Express) for Desktops: NewerTech MAXPower 6G eSATA RAID card with port multiplier Firmtek Seritek/2SE2-E PCI Express eSATA card DAT Optic PCIe 8x 4 Channel eSATA Card HighPoint RocketRAID 2314 PCI-Express eSATA Card |
| Operating Environment | Varies depending on drive mechanism installed (temperature, relative humidity, shock, vibration, MTBF/hours) |
| Power Supply | AC 100 - 240 V, 50/60 Hz (3A) - US/international power supply (auto-switching) |
| Dimensions | 1.5 x 4.6 x 9.0" / 3.8 x 11.7 x 22.9 cm |
| Weight | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
*Note: These cards have all been tested and qualified by OWC for the OWC Mercury Elite Pro
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