OWC
OWC Mercury Elite Pro Dual 2-Bay RAID Array
Best storage solution for creative professionals managing large media libraries.
The OWC Mercury Elite Pro Dual is a high-performance external RAID enclosure designed for demanding creative workflows, offering substantial and reliable storage. It features two 3.5" SATA III drive bays, pre-configured in RAID 0 for speeds up to 407 MB/s. A hardware RAID controller supports RAID 0, 1, SPAN, and Independent modes, allowing you to balance speed or data security. Connectivity includes both USB 3.0 Type-B and eSATA 6G ports. Housed in a durable, brushed-aluminum chassis with a cooling fan, this array ensures quiet and cool operation for managing large media libraries.
$329.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
22
/ 188
#22 in Hard Drive Arrays
Price vs Category Average
-85%
Below average
Number of Bays
23.5
/ x "
Who it's for
- Professionals needing customizable storage configurations for specific workflows
- Video editors requiring fast transfer speeds for large media files
- Creative studios prioritizing long-term hardware reliability and thermal management
Who should skip it
- Budget-conscious users seeking simple, low-cost storage solutions
- Power users demanding maximum throughput for high-resolution 4K or 8K workflows
- Users who frequently swap or install 2.5-inch drives
Performance breakdown
Data Throughput
RAID 0 speeds easily handle high-resolution media editing and file transfers.
Build Integrity
Brushed aluminum chassis provides excellent heat dissipation and long-term structural durability.
RAID Versatility
Hardware controller offers reliable flexibility between speed, redundancy, and storage capacity.
Connectivity Options
Dual interface support covers legacy eSATA needs and standard USB connectivity.
Thermal Management
Active cooling fan maintains stable temperatures during intensive, sustained drive operations.
Workflow Compatibility
Seamless plug-and-play integration across both macOS and Windows professional environments.
Key Specs
Number of Bays
2 x 3.5"
Drive Type
7200 rpm SATA III Hard Disk Drive
Interface Types
USB 3.0 (USB 3.1 Gen 1), eSATA 6G
Maximum Transfer Rate
407 MB/s (in RAID 0)
RAID Modes
RAID 0, 1, SPAN, Independent
Material of Construction
Aluminum
Dimensions
5.3 x 2.8 x 8.9 inches
Power Source
External AC Adapter (100 to 240 VAC)
Features
- Dual drive bays for flexible storage configurations
- Hardware RAID for robust data management
- High-speed data transfer up to 407 MB/s
- Durable aluminum chassis with active cooling
- Versatile USB 3.0 and eSATA connectivity
- Supports RAID 0 for speed or RAID 1 for redundancy
- Ideal for professional media workflows
- Compatible with Mac and Windows systems
What customers say
Customers overwhelmingly value this RAID array for its exceptional performance and robust build quality, making it a trusted solution for demanding creative workflows. The premium aluminum chassis feels durable and professional. Users consistently highlight the impressive read write speeds achieved in RAID 0, which significantly speeds up handling large media files. The hardware RAID controller offers appreciated flexibility, allowing easy selection between speed and data redundancy. While positioned at a professional price point, the consensus confirms that the consistent, high level of speed and reliability justifies the investment for mission critical storage needs.
Know before you buy
RAID 0 stripes data across both drives to maximize performance and capacity, making it ideal for high-speed editing. RAID 1 mirrors your data onto both drives, providing a redundant backup so your files remain safe if one drive fails.
Yes, the Mercury Elite Pro Dual is fully compatible with both macOS and Windows systems. You may simply need to format the drives to a file system compatible with your specific operating system, such as exFAT for cross-platform use.
This unit requires the included external AC power adapter to operate. Because it houses two 3.5-inch hard drives, it draws more power than a standard USB port can provide on its own.
The enclosure features a built-in cooling fan designed for quiet operation. While you may hear a faint hum in a perfectly silent room, it is engineered to stay cool during intensive media workflows without being distracting.
Yes, the dual-bay design allows you to access and swap the 3.5-inch SATA III drives as needed. This makes it easy to upgrade your storage capacity or replace a drive if you need to expand your library in the future.
The 407 MB/s transfer rate is achievable when the drives are configured in RAID 0. While USB 3.0 is capable of supporting these speeds, actual performance can vary slightly depending on your computer's hardware and the specific drives installed.
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