OWC is not a new company for us. We have tested and recommended multiple products by them in the past. They previously sent us their Envoy Pro EX SSD and the Envoy Pro FX SSD and we absolutely loved them both. Recently, the folks at OWC sent us their Mercury Elite Pro Dual Mini. Marketed as a portable RAID powerhouse, this drive is all you need to take your transfer game up a notch.
RAID Performance
HDD RAID is a methodology commonly used to protect data by distributing redundant data blocks across multiple HDDs. Standing for redundant array of independent disks, one of the primary purposes of RAID is to increase performance. According to its specs sheet, OWC offers the latest high-performance portable RAID in the Elite Pro Dual Mini.
The drive offers two modes for the user. Both of these are easily selectable. The RAID 0 mode is for lighting fast speeds. Transfer speeds go up to 989MB/s according to the advertised content, but in my experience, they maxed out at 960MB/s, which is not bad at all. It was much more than my initial expectations, so I was content despite it not reaching the limit mentioned in the specs.
The RAID 1 mode is for greater data redundancy for mirrored disks. Data redundancy occurs when the same piece of data is stored in two or more separate places and is a common occurrence in many businesses. You can choose the configuration according to your needs, and that’s one of the features that sets the Elite Pro Dual Mini apart from standard drives.
It packs a dual-drive inside its premium-quality chassis and offers USB 3.1 Gen 2 performance. The USB-C port supports transfer speeds of up to 10GB/s and is compatible with both Mac and Windows. The package also includes a USB Standard-A to Type-C cable in addition to the Type-C cable. The former offers backward compatibility on Type-A connections.
Ideal Form Factor
The Elite Pro Dual Mini is easily portable and is made for being stowed away in your backpacks. It features bus-powered form factor and is perfect for being used on-the-go. Featuring capacities up till 4TB, you can rely on this drive to be the perfect companion on your corporate work trips or vacations.
The rugged aluminum case that houses the drive is also robust enough to meet your on-the-go requirements. The case is about as sturdy as it can get. The fanless cooling mechanism also makes sure the drive works as silently as possible.
Since reliability and endurance is a big deal in drives, the Elite Pro Dual Mini is built to the highest standards and rigorously quality tested and backed by US-based technical support.
Weighing a total of 1.25 lbs, this 5.7 by 6.1-inch drive is enough to take care of all your storage-related needs. Apart from the cables mentioned earlier, the package also includes an external power supply and power cable, a screw packet and a quick start guide.
The hard drive is available in a 2TB and a 4TB version, and considering the latter comes at a price of $259 is pretty impressive. There are also SSD versions of the Elite Pro Dual Mini. They range from 480GB to 8TB, and are of course much pricier than their HDD counterparts. HDDs are slowly becoming a thing of the past, but if you’re on a budget, they’re excellent options for your storage needs.
Should You Buy It?
I don’t see any reason why you shouldn’t go for the OWC Mercury Elite Pro Dual Mini. It features a robust case, hosting an extremely powerful drive inside. The packaging is premium-quality, durable and pleasant-looking as well. The case is quite minimal with a simple and intuitive layout.
The drive performance is absolutely brilliant. It reaches fairly high speeds and is ideal for corporate use. With thoughtful and generous packaging and a reasonable price it’s also recommendable for consumer use. You get two 18-inch cables and detailed paperwork outlining everything you need to know.
On top of all of this, the company offers the drive in large sizes. 4TB should be enough for you, unless you have a serious hoarding issue. All in all, the Elite Pro Dual Mini is a great deal for just $259.
Is It Hardcore?
Very hardcore.
The OWC Mercury Elite Pro Dual Mini is a reliable hard drive offering high-speed data transfer in an economical price.