OWC Mercury Elite Pro mini Portable External Storage Enclosure - MEPMTCKIT
Transform your internal 2.5" SATA hard drive or SSD into a portable external USB Type-C drive usin...Transform your internal 2.5" SATA hard drive or SSD into a portable external USB Type-C drive using the Mercury Elite Pro mini USB Type-C Portable Storage Enclosure from OWC. Equipped with a reversible USB Type-C host interface, this enclosure connects effortlessly to a USB Type-C port on compatible devices via the provided cable, delivering swift data transfer rates of up to 10 GB/s. Its bus-powered and plug-and-play functionality eliminates the need for extra power adapters or drivers, ensuring immediate use straight out of the box. The Mercury Elite Pro mini was introduced over a decade ago to emulate its award-winning desktop-sized Mercury Elite Pro “sibling.” It has earned a stellar reputation for offering superior portable, bus-powered storage performance. This pintsized powerhouse’s latest evolution gives creative pros, small office/home office users, students, and families the speed and universal connectivity of a USB-C 10Gb/s interface. Go ahead, connect the Mercury Elite Pro mini to a USB port on any past, present, or future Mac or PC, or iPadOS, Android, or Chrome OS device. The included USB-C cable with tethered USB-A adapter lets you plug into nearly anything, anywhere. Complementing the convenience of not having to worry about connection ports, the Mercury Elite Pro mini is bus-powered so you can free yourself from power adapter limitations. Available in hard drive or lightning-fast SSD configurations, the Mercury Elite Pro mini is ready for your demanding A/V, digital photography, professional music, graphics, and general data backup needs. Its rugged, aircraft-grade fanless aluminum enclosure offers near silent operation. Universally compatible: Plug and play with past, present, and future Macs, PCs, iPads, Chromebooks, and Android tablets. Life ready: Save, access, backup, and edit work and personal files with up to 542MB/s real-world performance. Portable: Bus-powered and rugged with heat-dissipating, aircraft-grade aluminum housing and fanless venting provide cool, nearly silent operation. Connected: Connect universally to any USB or Thunderbolt computer or device with the included USB-C cable with tethered USB-A adapter. 1 Year OWC Limited Warranty.
The OWC Mercury Elite Pro mini is a portable external storage enclosure for 2.5-inch SATA hard drives and SSDs, designed for creative professionals, students, and home office users seeking fast, reliable, and universally compatible storage. Its key benefit is enabling high-speed data transfer up to 10 Gb/s via USB-C while being bus-powered for ultimate portability. A minor caveat is that the drive itself is not included, requiring a separate purchase of a 2.5-inch SATA drive.
All features
Series
Mercury Elite Pro mini
Model Part Number
MEPMTCKIT
Brand
OWC
Extended Product Information
FAQs
Does the OWC Mercury Elite Pro mini come with a hard drive or SSD installed?
No, the Mercury Elite Pro mini is an enclosure only. You need to purchase a compatible 2.5-inch SATA HDD or SSD separately and install it yourself.
What is the maximum storage capacity supported?
The enclosure supports any standard 2.5-inch SATA HDD or SSD. Capacity is limited only by the largest drives available on the market.
Can I use this with my Mac and Windows PC?
Yes, it is universally compatible with both Mac and Windows operating systems, as well as iPadOS, Android, and Chrome OS devices.
Is a separate power adapter required?
No, the Mercury Elite Pro mini is bus-powered, meaning it draws power directly from the USB-C or USB-A port it is connected to. No external power adapter is needed.
What is the warranty period?
The OWC Mercury Elite Pro mini comes with a 1 Year OWC Limited Warranty.
How do I safely disconnect the drive?
Always use the 'Safely Remove Hardware' or 'Eject' function in your operating system before physically unplugging the USB cable to prevent data loss or corruption.
Can I use this with a Thunderbolt port?
Yes, the enclosure uses a USB-C connector and is compatible with Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 ports, as it falls back to USB protocol.
Troubleshooting
Drive not recognized by the computer
Ensure the USB cable is securely connected at both ends. Try a different USB port on your computer. Verify the drive is properly seated within the enclosure. Test the drive and enclosure with another computer if possible. Ensure your operating system is up to date.
Slow data transfer speeds
Confirm you are using a USB 3.2 Gen 2 port (10 Gb/s). Check if the installed drive is an SSD or HDD; SSDs offer significantly faster speeds. Ensure no other high-bandwidth USB devices are causing congestion. Close unnecessary applications running in the background.
Drive frequently disconnects
Check the USB cable for damage and ensure a firm connection. If using a USB hub, connect the enclosure directly to the computer. Power fluctuations can also cause issues; try connecting to a different USB port, preferably one directly on the motherboard (for desktops).
Enclosure LEDs not lighting up
Verify the USB cable is properly connected and providing power. Test the USB port with another device. The enclosure might be faulty; contact OWC support if the issue persists.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Fast 10 Gb/s data transfer speeds via USB-C.
Bus-powered design for maximum portability.
Wide compatibility with various operating systems and devices.
Durable and quiet fanless aluminum construction.
Easy plug-and-play setup.
Cons
Drive is not included and must be purchased separately.
Maximum drive height support is 12.5mm, limiting some thicker drives.
While rugged, it's still a portable enclosure and requires careful handling.
Performance can vary based on the installed drive and host system.
Setup, Compatibility & Care
Setup:
Open the Mercury Elite Pro mini enclosure. Typically, this involves removing screws or sliding a mechanism. (Refer to specific OWC documentation if needed).
Insert your 2.5-inch SATA HDD or SSD into the connector inside the enclosure, ensuring it is seated correctly.
Secure the drive and close the enclosure.
Connect the included USB-C cable (with tethered USB-A adapter if needed) to the enclosure and your computer or device.
The enclosure will be recognized automatically by your operating system.
Compatibility:
Operating Systems: Mac OS X 10.6+ (Yosemite to Monterey), Windows 7/8/8.1/10/11, iPadOS, Android, Chrome OS, Linux.
Ports: USB-C, USB 3.0, USB 3.1, USB 3.2, Thunderbolt 3/4 (via USB-C compatibility).
Drive Type: 2.5-inch SATA HDD or SSD with a height of up to 12.5mm.
Care:
Cleaning: Use a soft, dry, or slightly damp lint-free cloth to clean the exterior. Avoid abrasive cleaners or solvents.
Environment: Operate within the specified temperature range (5-35°C) and humidity (8-90%). Store between -20-60°C and 5-95% humidity.
Handling: While rugged, avoid dropping or exposing the enclosure to extreme physical shock.
Disconnecting: Always safely eject the drive from your operating system before disconnecting the USB cable to prevent data corruption.