The Product In Question: OWC Mercury Elite Pro w/ +1 Port (3 TB)
A Hard Drive By Any Other Name
By far one of the most unique, and immediately apparent, parts of the OWC Hard Drive offerings include design. Obviously Apple inspired, OWC seems to have run with the minimal design and kept the functionality. The aluminum casing makes it sleek and elegant, which wouldn’t look out of place beside any iMac Pro or Macbook Air. It doesn’t look half bad sitting on a Windows machine either.
The product dimensions are about 9″ x 5″ x 2″, making it very easily stacked or stored as a compact solution to storage. And some careful testing (read: shaking the ever loving &$%* out of it) didn’t seem to affect performance. Solid. The HDD is a 3TB Toshiba DT01ACAxx at 7,200 RPM, though the internals are swappable, with sizes ranging from an empty case up to 10 TB.
Features And Things
Included in the box is a power supply unit of 12V/3A, leaving plenty to spare for any devices connected to it. This comes in handy with this pass through USB port, as I find myself running a webcam off of the added slot. If you find yourself strapped for ports, this has been a lifesaver when you don’t have a hub handy. Hard Drive comes with an included optional stand.
Now a nifty feature when you use multiple units or you rest them on hard surface; the lack of a fan means no annoying vibrations or noise. The aluminum case pulls any heat generated from use, and radiates it out quickly. They may get warm, but even when stacked like bricks, the Hard Drives won’t reach unsafe temperatures. People who find portability an asset will gravitate towards these features.
Fire It Up!
Installing and using a new Hard Drive can sometimes be, well, hard. See below the important steps when using the OWC installer. Nothing too complicated and each step includes detailed descriptions of every option. Leaving nothing up for guessing or assuming makes this one of the better installation tools we have seen.
Ongoing Testing, Please Don’t Ignore
While the review is ongoing, and we will update this article as time goes by, initial impression are… impressive. I know it can be hard to be impressed by a HDD. Kind of like being impressed with a new microwave. But when you’ve been using the same one from college, and it overheats in the wrong spots and beeps way too loudly, a new Hard Drive can be refreshing. Or were we talking about microwaves?
Either way. OWC doesn’t just stop after the point of sale as every product comes with a three year warranty. And in some cases, longer if you feel it is justified. While it may not seem like a lot, storage is one of those things that you can probably find cheaper, but then you take your data into your own hands. Reliability over the years has fallen by the way side, which makes some form of guarantee especially enticing. Professionals who can’t afford to be without their data or need that level of quality should feel safe in this product.
Find this product available here, with the 3TB unit seen here MSRP for $189.99.
Check out the interview with Founder/CEO Larry O’Connor on Computer America.
About OWC: At OWC, we’re committed to constant innovation, exemplary customer service, and American design. For more than 25 Years, OWC has had a simple goal. To create innovative DIY solutions to give you the most from your technology. Beginning with 100% compatible memory upgrades, reliably exceeding Apple’s maximum RAM specs, OWC’s product offering has grown to encompass the entire spectrum of upgrade and expansion possibilities, all with a focus on easy, DIY setup and installation.
About Computer America: Computer America is the nation’s longest running, nationally syndicated radio talk show on computers and technology! We broadcast live Monday through Friday, 4pm – 5pm EST. At ComputerAmerica.com, find “Show Notes” for our on-air interviews, “Reviews” of the latest in tech gear, and “Articles” written by the host of the show and our stable of correspondents.