Other World Computing (OWC), a leading provider of products and services for the Macintosh marketplace, has begun shipping its first 100 GB Mercury On-The-Go portable storage solutions, available immediately online starting at $319.97.
The 5400RPM Mercury On-The-Go drives feature 8 MB of cache and are available with either a FireWire only interface or with both FireWire and USB interfaces. The IEEE1394/iLink-compliant FireWire interface on the 100GB On-The-Go solution supports both a powered (6-pin) and an unpowered (4-pin) port. Conversely, the USB interface on the combination FireWire/USB 100GB On-The-Go external hard drive supports both USB v2.0 and v1.1. This is the largest capacity portable storage drive OWC has offered to date.
“We don’t mess around when it comes to reliable data storage, and we’re pleased to now offer 100GB portable storage solutions,” said Larry O’Connor, president of OWC in the press release. “Our Mercury On-The-Go line is highly regarded and has received top ratings from publications such as MacAddict, Maximum PC, PhotoshopUser and others. These 100GB drives are a great addition to the On-The-Go family, and are sure to please those who need a drive small enough to fit in a purse or a shirt pocket, but with some serious storage capacity.”
Weighing 11 ounces and measuring only 3.5-inches x 5.5-inches x 1.0-inches, the new Mercury On-The-Go drives provide a convenient and portable solution for additional storage capacity, transporting large files between multiple computers, and real-time audio and video editing that is plug-and-play for quick access wherever one travels. Additionally, the drives can be used with any electronic device that has FireWire and/or USB data ports, including digital video and still cameras.
All Mercury On-The-Go plug-and-play drives are compatible with any operating system with FireWire or USB (combo model) support, including Apple OS 8.6-9.2.2, OS X and Windows 98SE/2000/XP. Features include shock-protective design, a cool blue activity LED, near-silent operation and multiple connecting ports. Drives may be bus powered via FireWire or with the included AC adapter, and all cables, formatting software, a one-year warranty and carrying case are also included. Additionally, each Mercury On-The-Go storage solution ships with Dantz Retrospect backup and restore software and Intech HD Speedtools.
Complete pricing and product information can be found online at http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/firewire/on-the-go/
Looks like crap to me in its translucent enclosure, with notebook drive clearly visible, stickers and all. CompuCable’s FireXpress 250SDX enclosure (FXU2-EB-25S is a part number) looks much better, has same compliment of ports, and it is quite possible to build your own 100 MB HD around it for less.
there is a non-translucent enclosure if you scroll down.
I don’t get these portable or mobile drives. Yeah it’s nice that they don’t need their own power supply but I got a Lacie 250gig drive for around 2 thirds the price of this one ($340 Aussie dollars). It’s not that inconvenient lugging the power pack around with it.