| External storage devices are becoming more and | | | | NovaStore NovaBackup, for Windows machines, and |
| more popular. With this, manufacturers are constantly | | | | Prosoft Data Backup, for MACs, is also shipped with |
| attempting to make theirs better than those of their | | | | OWCs Mercury On-The-Go. |
| competitors. OWC has managed to do just this, | | | | You may only need your AC adapter when you are |
| offering one of the largest external storage devices | | | | traveling, as most USB 2.0 and FireWire ports will |
| around with the latest release of the Mercury | | | | provide enough power for your new unit to run. |
| On-The-Go (500GB). | | | | Shutting down the Mercury On-The-Go is as easy as |
| Hitachis TravelStar 5k400 hard drive ensures that the | | | | flipping the power switch that is located on the back |
| Mercury On-The-Go 500GB, 5400RPM runs at optimal | | | | of the unit. |
| speeds, offering performance like no other. This unit | | | | Unlike many other external storage devices, this unit |
| has multiple connectivity ports: FireWire 400, FireWire | | | | is not flashy, with the exception of the one flashing |
| 800, and a mini USB 2.0 port - all of which is available | | | | blue light on the hard drive, which is visible through |
| from the back end of the device. Read / write | | | | the transparent casing. This blue light is the one and |
| speeds are phenomenal, on this unit, and typically | | | | only indicator, that you have, as to whether or not |
| higher than that of its competitors. Users will notice | | | | the unit is on and working. |
| this difference regardless of the connection type that | | | | Even though this unit measures 5.5 x 3 x 1 inch, it is |
| they are using. There is; however, very little | | | | still compact and easy to travel with. It is not nearly |
| difference, in read / write performance, between the | | | | as compact as many other external drives, but it |
| FireWire 800 and FireWire 400 ports. | | | | works. If you look at the fact that the Mercury |
| These ports, both FireWire ports and the USB port, | | | | On-The-Go offers one of the largest storage |
| allow consumers to connect - immediately - with any | | | | capacities, on the market, it should be no surprise |
| plug-n-play device that also allows for FireWire and | | | | that the device is not smaller than competitors' |
| USB connectivity. This functionality is beyond useful | | | | devices. |
| for those who need to transfer (for backup | | | | You not only get to take advantage of the 1-year |
| purposes of just because) their files, from these | | | | warranty, offered by OWC, but also the 2-year |
| devices, from wherever they are located. | | | | warranty offered by Hitachi on their TravelStar |
| To top off what they are already offering in the | | | | 5K500. For the price of one, you get two warranties, |
| Mercury On-The-Go, this unit is also compatible with | | | | bundled into one device. |
| both Windows and Apple operating systems. The | | | | The sticker price is nowhere near as compact as the |
| unit; however, cannot be formatted to FAT32, which | | | | unit at an average of $359.99 per unit. This is a bit |
| means you would need two separate devices if you | | | | higher than many other external drives; however, |
| need it to work on your Apple computer along with | | | | many are not even in the same ballpark as the |
| your Windows computer. Additionally, the unit is | | | | Mercury On-The-Go because of the available storage |
| completely customizable as you format it, to your | | | | capacity and its read / write speeds. If you are not |
| specifications, upon receipt of the Mercury | | | | concerned about functionality, cheaper is the way to |
| On-The-Go. | | | | go, if you want the top of the line, the Mercury |
| So, in the box you'll get a carrying case, AC adapter, | | | | On-The-Go 500GB is the right choice. |
| and the cables that you'll need. Additionally, | | | | |