If you are in the market for a massive amount of storage for your Mac machine or PC, then OWC’s new 12 TB Mercury Elite-AL Pro Qx2 storage solution might be worth a look.
Capable of taking up to 12TB of RAID storage, the new 4-drive storage case is perfect for Mac users and is equipped with a choice of FireWire 800 or FireWire 400. It’s also fitted with USB 2.0 ports but does not have any Ethernet connections for networking storage.
Performance and Connectivity
It’s also not equipped with any USB 3.0 connections, making transferring 12TB of data through USB 2.0 even more painful. However, if those restrictions don’t hinder your needs for 12 TB of storage, the new OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro Qx2 does come with RAID 0, 1, 5, 10 together with supported Span setups. RAID configurations offer various benefits such as increased performance, redundancy, and data protection. For instance, RAID 0 can significantly boost read and write speeds by striping data across multiple drives, while RAID 1 offers mirroring for data redundancy.
The absence of USB 3.0 might be a deal-breaker for some, especially considering the large volume of data that 12TB represents. USB 3.0 offers transfer speeds up to 10 times faster than USB 2.0, which can make a significant difference when moving large files or backing up data. However, the inclusion of FireWire 800 can somewhat mitigate this limitation, as it offers faster transfer rates compared to USB 2.0, though still not as fast as USB 3.0.
Pricing and Availability
The Mercury Elite-AL Pro Qx2 is available to purchase without drives for $299.99, and fully equipped with 12TB of storage for a larger $1,279.99. This price point makes it a competitive option for those needing substantial storage capacity with RAID capabilities. The flexibility to purchase the unit without drives allows users to customize their storage solution according to their specific needs and budget. You can view all the available options here.
For those who may not need the full 12TB, OWC offers various configurations, allowing users to start with a smaller capacity and upgrade as their storage needs grow. This scalability makes the Mercury Elite-AL Pro Qx2 a versatile choice for both personal and professional use.
Via OWC
The OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro Qx2 is a robust storage solution that offers a significant amount of space and flexibility with its RAID configurations. While it lacks some modern connectivity options like USB 3.0 and Ethernet, its FireWire 800 ports and RAID capabilities make it a viable option for those who prioritize storage capacity and data protection. Whether you’re a professional dealing with large media files or a home user looking to expand your storage, the Mercury Elite-AL Pro Qx2 provides a reliable and scalable solution.
Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals
Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
