Despite looking like a network-attached storage device, it actually uses USB 3.0

May 17, 2013 12:00 GMT  ·  By

Network-attached storage devices are good ways to add some free terabytes of storage to LAN environments, whether at home or at work, but they aren't always ideal, as there sometimes isn't a network to tap into.

Some people don't have their PC connected to a network of any sort, though they may have Internet connection.

In those cases, other means of backing up data or supplementing a PC's internal storage may be required.

One such means is external storage drives or, in the case of the OWC Mercury Elite Pro Qx2, drive arrays connected to PCs via USB 3.0.

The OWC Mercury Elite Pro Qx2 Hardware RAID data storage/backup solution can hold four hard disk drives or solid-state drives at any time.

It may also link to systems, PCs or Mac, via eSATA, provided the Newer Technology eSATA to USB 3.0 Adapter is employed. The top capacity is of 16 TB.

In addition to USB 3.0, the RAID array can communicate over FireWire 800, FireWire 400, and USB 2.0.

The RAID 5 mode is used by default, although RAID 0, 1, or 10 can be selected as well. Span is another option (NRAID).

"When paired with the Newer Technology eSATA to USB 3.0 Adapter, you'll see a new level of Plug and Play performance from the same convenient professional storage solution you've always seen in the Qx2," said Larry O'Connor, founder and CEO, Other World Computing.

"With the latest Macs now equipped with USB 3.0 and also lacking FireWire, this kind of solution is ever more important for the latest storage performance needs."

The Other World Computing Mercury Elite Pro Qx12 has a starting price of $471.99 / €471.99, but there are three other HDD choices, as well as a 0 GB empty option. Go here to see them all.