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Specifies minimum system requirements for Mac and PC, and supported hard drives.
Lists all items included in the OWC Mercury Elite Pro Quad package.
Details manual variations and directs users to the product web page for latest specifications.
Describes the front panel components, including the locking faceplate and LED indicators.
Details the rear panel connections and ports, including security slot and power.
Step-by-step guide for installing 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch SATA hard drives into the enclosure.
Provides initial troubleshooting steps for power and connectivity issues.
Advises on maintaining data integrity by keeping multiple copies of data.
Provides phone, chat, and email contact information for technical assistance.
Details FCC regulations and compliance for the device in commercial and residential environments.
Advises on safe handling, avoiding electrical shock, fire, and drive damage during use.
Outlines general usage guidelines including temperature, electrical safety, interference, and dust.
Specifies minimum system requirements for Mac and PC, and supported hard drives.
Lists all items included in the OWC Mercury Elite Pro Quad package.
Details manual variations and directs users to the product web page for latest specifications.
Describes the front panel components, including the locking faceplate and LED indicators.
Details the rear panel connections and ports, including security slot and power.
Step-by-step guide for installing 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch SATA hard drives into the enclosure.
Provides initial troubleshooting steps for power and connectivity issues.
Advises on maintaining data integrity by keeping multiple copies of data.
Provides phone, chat, and email contact information for technical assistance.
Details FCC regulations and compliance for the device in commercial and residential environments.
Advises on safe handling, avoiding electrical shock, fire, and drive damage during use.
Outlines general usage guidelines including temperature, electrical safety, interference, and dust.
The OWC Mercury Elite Pro Quad is an external storage enclosure designed to house and manage multiple hard drives, providing expanded storage capacity and data management capabilities for both Mac and PC users. This device is ideal for professionals and enthusiasts who require robust, high-capacity storage for tasks such as video editing, large file storage, data backup, and more. Its design emphasizes ease of use, security, and reliable performance, making it a versatile addition to any workstation.
At its core, the Mercury Elite Pro Quad functions as a multi-bay enclosure that supports up to four 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch SATA drives. This flexibility allows users to configure their storage solution with a mix of drive types and capacities to suit their specific needs. The enclosure connects to a host computer via USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10Gbps) or USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5Gbps), ensuring fast data transfer rates. The inclusion of both Type-C to Type-C and Type-C to Type-A cables provides broad compatibility with various computer systems.
One of the key usage features of the Mercury Elite Pro Quad is its independent drive operation. Unlike RAID enclosures, this device treats each installed drive as a separate volume. This means that users can mount, unmount, and manage individual drives without affecting the others. This independence offers greater flexibility for data organization and allows for selective access to specific drives. For example, a user could have one drive dedicated to project files, another for backups, and others for general storage, all accessible simultaneously. This also simplifies drive replacement or upgrades, as a single drive can be swapped out without needing to rebuild an entire RAID array.
The front of the enclosure features a locking faceplate, which serves both as a security measure and a gateway to the drive bays. Users can lock the faceplate with an included key to prevent unauthorized access to the drives. When unlocked and opened, the faceplate reveals the four individual drive bays, each secured by a thumbscrew. This design ensures that drives are held firmly in place while also allowing for easy removal and installation.
LED indicators on the front panel provide crucial status information at a glance. A main power LED changes color to indicate the power state and data connection status: off when powered down, amber when powered on without a data connection, solid blue when powered on with a data connection, and pulsing blue when the host computer is in sleep or hibernation mode. Each drive bay also has its own LED, which flashes green to indicate drive activity, providing visual confirmation of data access or transfer for individual drives.
Connectivity on the rear of the device includes a Kensington® Security Slot for attaching a security tether, enhancing physical security in public or shared environments. The primary data connection is a USB 3.1 Gen 2 port (Type-C), which supports the fastest available transfer speeds. A standard power port is also located on the rear, where the included power cable connects. An ON/OFF switch controls the power to the enclosure. It's important to note that while the switch controls power, the device requires a data signal to remain fully powered on; without a data connection, the drives will automatically spin down after a brief period.
Maintenance features are designed for user convenience and drive longevity. The hot-swappable nature of the drive trays, once the faceplate is removed, simplifies drive installation and replacement. Users can easily slide trays in and out after loosening a thumbscrew. The enclosure is designed to accommodate both 3.5-inch and 2.5-inch SATA drives, with specific screw holes on the drive trays for each size, ensuring a secure fit. The cooling fan, while not user-adjustable, is designed to continue operating even if the enclosure enters sleep mode, ensuring that drives cool down properly and preventing overheating.
For data management, OWC provides resources for formatting drives, accessible via their website. This guidance helps users prepare their drives for use with the Mercury Elite Pro Quad, ensuring compatibility and optimal performance. The manual also emphasizes the importance of properly ejecting or unmounting volumes before powering off the enclosure or disconnecting it from the host, a critical step to prevent data corruption.
Troubleshooting guidance is straightforward, starting with basic checks like power cable connections and data cable integrity. Users are advised to test the device with different cables or computers if problems persist, helping to isolate the source of any issues. For more complex problems, OWC offers comprehensive support resources, including phone, chat, and email options, ensuring users can get assistance when needed.
Data backup is strongly recommended as a best practice. The manual advises users to maintain at least two copies of their data: one on the Mercury Elite Pro Quad and another on an internal drive, a separate external storage unit, or an optical backup. This recommendation underscores the importance of redundancy in protecting valuable data, as OWC's limited warranty does not cover data loss. This emphasis on user responsibility for data protection highlights the device's role as a reliable storage solution, but not a sole backup solution.
The Mercury Elite Pro Quad does not have built-in RAID capabilities, meaning it does not combine drives into a single logical volume with data redundancy or striping. Each drive operates independently, offering simplicity and direct access to individual volumes. This design choice caters to users who prefer individual drive management over complex RAID configurations.
In summary, the OWC Mercury Elite Pro Quad is a versatile, user-friendly external drive enclosure that prioritizes independent drive management, robust connectivity, and ease of maintenance. Its design supports a wide range of storage needs, from expanding workstation capacity to managing multiple data sets, all while providing clear status indicators and straightforward installation procedures.
General| RAID levels | 0, 1, 1+0, 5, JBOD |
|---|---|
| Data transfer rate | 6 Gbit/s |
| Storage drive size | 2.5/3.5 \ |
| Storage drive capacity | 1000 GB |
| Storage drive interface | Serial ATA III |
| Storage drives installed | Yes |
| Installed storage drive type | HDD |
| Total installed storage capacity | 4 TB |
| Maximum supported storage capacity | - TB |
| Number of storage drives installed | 4 |
| USB 3.2 Gen 2 (3.1 Gen 2) Type-C ports quantity | 1 |
| AC input voltage | 100 - 240 V |
| DC output voltage | 12 V |
| AC input frequency | 50 / 60 Hz |
| Redundant power supply (RPS) support | No |
| Mac operating systems supported | Mac OS X 10.12 Sierra, Mac OS X 10.13 High Sierra |
| Chassis type | Tower |
| Device class | Home & Home Office |
| Certification | FCC, CE |
| Product color | Silver |
| Number of fans | 1 fan(s) |
| Cable lock slot type | Kensington |
| Cables included | AC, USB, USB Type-C |
| Storage temperature (T-T) | -20 - 70 °C |
| Operating temperature (T-T) | 0 - 40 °C |
Weight and Dimensions| Depth | 240 mm |
|---|---|
| Width | 135 mm |
| Height | 185 mm |
| Disk enclosure weight | 3900 g |
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