Description
OWC 16TB Mercury Elite Pro USB (5Gb/s) External Hard Drive
The OWC 16TB Mercury Elite Pro USB external hard drive is a purpose-built solution for creators, professionals, and power users who need expansive, reliable storage with simple workflow integration. With a massive 16-terabyte capacity and a robust USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gb/s) interface, this drive makes it effortless to back up entire workstations, store high-resolution media libraries, and migrate large projects between devices. Designed with a heavy-duty aluminum enclosure, it stays cool and quiet under demanding workloads, delivering dependable performance whether you’re in the studio, on location, or at your workstation. If you require a scalable, easy-to-use external storage solution that blends speed, durability, and compatibility, the Mercury Elite Pro stands out as a versatile choice for professionals and enthusiasts alike.
- Massive 16TB capacity for expansive media libraries and backups: Store tens of thousands of RAW images, hours of 4K or 8K video, large Archives, and entire project folders without constantly juggling drives. The high-capacity design is ideal for photographers, video editors, 3D artists, and IT professionals who routinely manage large, constantly growing datasets.
- USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gb/s) interface for fast, reliable transfers: Benefit from significantly quicker file transfers, accelerated backups, and smoother media workflows compared to older USB generations. The 5Gb/s interface delivers practical performance gains for large media transfers, project renders, and daily data movement, helping you stay productive without waiting on slow reads and writes.
- Durable aluminum enclosure with passive cooling: The rugged, heat-dissipating chassis is built to withstand busy studio environments and mobile use. Its fanless design reduces noise during long editing sessions, while the solid metal construction provides sturdy protection for your data during transit and daily handling.
- Cross-platform compatibility and seamless setup: Ready for macOS and Windows use with no driver installation required. Simply connect the drive, format it to your OS file system, and you’re ready to back up, archive, or transfer files. Time Machine-compatible workflows and Windows backup strategies become straightforward once the drive is formatted to the appropriate file system.
- Versatile storage for backups, archives, and active projects: Use Mercury Elite Pro as your primary external drive for ongoing projects, a dependable archive for long-term storage, or a fast staging area for media assets before import into your editing suites. Its generous capacity and dependable performance pair well with creative workflows, data migrations, and large-scale backups.
Technical Details of OWC 16TB Mercury Elite Pro USB (5Gb/s) External Hard Drive
- Capacity: 16TB
- Interface: USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5Gb/s)
- Drive Type: 3.5" SATA hard disk drive (HDD) housed in external enclosure
- Enclosure: Aluminum, passive cooling, durable and quiet
- Power: External power source recommended for full-capacity operation (depends on configuration and drive inside)
- Compatibility: Works with macOS and Windows; no drivers required for basic operation; formatting needed for OS-specific use
how to install OWC 16TB Mercury Elite Pro USB (5Gb/s) External Hard Drive
Step 1: Unbox the Mercury Elite Pro and locate the included USB 3.2 cable and power supply (if your specific configuration requires one). Step 2: Connect the external drive to your computer using the USB 3.2 cable. If the drive ships with a separate power adapter, connect the power supply and plug it into a reliable power outlet before connecting the drive to your computer. Step 3: Power on the drive (if applicable) and wait for the system to recognize it. Step 4: On your computer, open Disk Utility (macOS) or Disk Management (Windows) and format the drive to an appropriate file system for your workflow (for example, APFS or HFS+ for Mac, NTFS or exFAT for Windows). Step 5: Give the drive a clear name, configure any backup software you rely on (Time Machine on macOS or Windows File History), and set up your preferred backup or storage workflow. Step 6: Start transferring files, backing up projects, or organizing assets. Step 7: When finished, always eject the drive safely from your operating system before unplugging it to protect data integrity. Step 8: For ongoing use, designate the Mercury Elite Pro as a backup target or a primary working drive to streamline your creative process and data management.
Frequently asked questions
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Q: Is this drive plug-and-play with macOS and Windows without additional software?
A: Yes. The Mercury Elite Pro is designed for straightforward plug-and-play use after formatting for your OS. No dedicated drivers are required for basic operation, and you can leverage built-in backup features like Time Machine on macOS or Windows Backup/File History on Windows. -
Q: What speeds can I expect in real-world use?
A: Real-world speeds depend on the drive inside, the USB cable quality, and the host computer. The USB 3.2 Gen 1 interface supports up to 5Gb/s, but actual transfer rates may be lower due to drive mechanics, file sizes, and system overhead. For large media transfers and backups, you’ll typically experience noticeably faster performance than older USB standards and traditional USB 2.0 devices. -
Q: Can I use Time Machine with this drive?
A: Yes, you can use Time Machine by formatting the drive to an appropriate Mac file system (such as APFS or HFS+ as supported by your macOS version). After formatting, Time Machine can back up your Mac to the Mercury Elite Pro like any other external hard drive. -
Q: Is there any software included for backups or media management?
A: The Mercury Elite Pro focuses on storage hardware and compatibility. Depending on the retailer or bundle, software may vary. In most cases, you’ll use your operating system’s built-in backup tools or your preferred third-party software to manage backups, synchronization, or archiving. -
Q: Is the drive portable and safe for travel?
A: The external enclosure is designed for durability and field use, featuring an aluminum chassis that helps protect the drive from bumps and heat. While portable, always handle with care, power down before moving, and use a proper protective sleeve or case if you travel frequently with your drive.
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