Other World Computing has just introduced a new 500 GB portable hard-disk drive model to its Mercury On-The-Go lineup. The new drive spins at 5,400 rotations per minute and sports three connectivity options to maximize compatibility with the host computer, while delivering the highest possible data transfer rate.

The Mercury On-The-Go 500GB comes with FireWire 800, FireWire 400, and USB 2.0 connections, and can be directly powered via a host computer's FireWire or USB bus. However, when using USB 2.0 ports, the drive needs external power via the bundled AC adapter.

The new hard-disk drive is especially tailored for road warriors and mobile professionals that need reliable and fast external storage solutions. The drive is compatible with any computer that has FireWire or USB ports, but it can also be successfully used in conjunction with all FireWire and USB digital cameras, camcorders, as well as other consumer electronics applications that can work wit USB- or FireWire-based storage devices.

OWC's Mercury On-the-Go model can also serve as a backup device for your laptop or desktop PC, thanks to its increased storage capacity. The drive ships with full retail software versions of the Prosoft DataBackup III for OS X and NovaStor NovaBackup for Windows.

Moreover, Mac users are able to pair the device with the Time machine backup application, in order to preserve an updated copy of the files and documents under the OS X Leopard.

The 500 GV model is available immediately and comes with a price tag of about $359.99. OWC also offers other On-the-Go models with different connectivity options, such as USB 2.0, USB 2.0+eSATA, FireWire 400+USB2, as well as additional FireWire 800/400+USB2 models, with capacity sizes of between 120GB and 320GB. All drives are compatible with Apple OS Versions 8.5 through 9.2.x; Apple OS X 10.0.3 and higher, as well as Microsoft Windows 98SE, ME, 2000, XP and Vista.