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12.0TB OWC Mercury Elite Pro
USB 3.2 (5Gb/s) External Storage Solution
Zero-Hour Drives
Mfr P/N: ME3NH7T12C OWC SKU: OWCME3NH7T12C
3.5-inch USB 3.2 5Gb/s External Storage Solution
- Pro-grade performance: up to 252MB/s real-world speed
- Easy backups: Apple Time Machine and Windows File History ready
- Space efficient: includes matching vertical stand
- Flexible: includes non-skid rubber feet for secure horizontal use
- Quiet: heat-dissipating, brushed aluminum chassis and fanless venting provide cool, nearly silent operation
- Rugged: built-in shock isolation protects drive
- Compatible: use with Mac, Windows, and Linux machines; PS4 and Xbox consoles; and Smart TVs
- Deployment ready: preconfigured solutions undergo rigorous multi-step performance certification
- 3 Year OWC Limited Warranty
A High-Performance Solution at an Incredible Savings
Continuing the Legacy
An Essential External Solution for Everyone
- Pro-level video editing projects
- Time Machine and File History backups of important business data and irreplaceable personal photos
- Consolidating files from multiple smaller drives to a single location for faster, more convenient access
- Migrating data from an existing machine to a new computer
- Expanding game storage of console gaming systems
- Freeing up space on a computer's internal drive to improve performance
Purposefully Designed
Ready for Play
Gain Critically Needed Gaming Space
Certified for Demanding Use
Ready to go. Right out of the box.
- Sequential read/write (max) performance numbers are based on testing 14.0TB Toshiba HDD with AJA System Test (4KFull resolution, 64GB file size, 10bit RGB codec, file per frame test).
- If movie playback from an external hard drive and movie format is supported by your Smart TV.
- Brand new OWC solution built with Seagate factory recertified drives with zero hours of prior use.
Includes
- (1) OWC Mercury Elite Pro External Storage Solution
- (1) USB 3.2 (5Gb/s) Type-B to Type-A Cable
- (1) External Power Supply
- (1) US Power Cable
- (1) Quick Start Guide for OWC Mercury Elite Pro with USB 3.2 (5Gb/s)
- (1) Assembly Manual & User Guide for OWC Mercury Elite Pro with USB 3.2 (5Gb/s)
- 3 Year OWC Limited Warranty
Need an additional power supply? Secondary/replacement power supplies are also available.
Specs
Drive Bays
- 1 bay supporting: 3.5-inch SATA drives
Total Capacity
- 12.0TB
Total Solution Cache Size
- 256 MB
Drive Mechanism
- (1) 12.0TB Seagate Exos X16 Enterprise 7,200RPM Hard Disk Drive with 256 MB cache (Zero-Hour Seagate Factory Recertified)
- *OWC reserves the right to replace or upgrade to equivalent or better components.
Plug and Play
- Yes
Boot Support
- Mac only
Drive Format
- HFS+ for Mac systems
- Windows and Android users please consult OWC Drive Setup for Windows, Chrome, and Android Platforms for formatting instructions
Rotational Speed
- 7,200RPM
Storage Interface
- SATA 6Gb/s
Device Ports
- (1) USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-B Port
Data Transfer Rate (Maximum)
- USB 3.2 Gen 1 : Up to 5Gb/s (or 625MB/s)
Chipset / Controller
- Storage Controller: JMicron JMS-567
Contact Start Stops
- 600,000
Host Interface Requirements
- USB (USB-C or USB-A) or Thunderbolt (USB-C) port2
Mac OS Compatibility
- Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard
- Mac OS X 10.7 Lion
- Mac OS X 10.8 Mountain Lion
- OS X 10.9 Mavericks
- OS X 10.10 Yosemite
- OS X 10.11 El Capitan
- macOS 10.12 Sierra
- macOS 10.13 High Sierra
- macOS 10.14 Mojave
- Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard
- macOS 10.15 Catalina
- macOS 11.x Big Sur
- macOS 12.x Monterey
- macOS 13.x Ventura
- macOS 14.x Sonoma
- macOS 15.x Sequoia
PC OS Compatibility
- Windows 7 32-bit Edition
- Windows 7 64-bit Edition
- Windows Home Server 2011
- Windows 8 32-bit Edition
- Windows 8 64-bit Edition
- Windows 8.1 32-bit Edition
- Windows 8.1 64-bit Edition
- Windows Server 2012
- Windows 10 32-bit Edition
- Windows 10 64-bit Edition
- Windows Server 2019
- Windows Server 2016
- Windows Server 2022
- Windows 11
Driver Required
- No
Other Requirements
- macOS 10.6.8 or later required
External Power Adapter
- Yes
Power Supply
- External UL-listed universal auto-switching power supply
- Need an additional power supply? Secondary/replacement power supplies are also available.
AC Input
- 100-240V, 50-60Hz, 0.9A
DC Output
- +12V, 3A
Security Slot
- Yes
Power Button
- Yes
Power/Activity LED
- Yes
Housing Color
- Silver
Housing Material
- Aluminum
Dimensions
- Height: 11.8 cm (4.6 in)
- Length: 19.5 cm (7.7 in)
- Width: 3.5 cm (1.4 in)
Weight
- 1170.0 g (2.58 lbs)
Certifications
- cUL, PSE, CE, FCC, GS, NOM, S, CCC, BSMI, PSB, RCM, KCC, TUV
Ambient Temperature
- Operating: 41°F to 95°F (5°C to 35°C)
- Non-Operating: -4°F to 140°F (-20°C to 60°C)
Altitude
- Operating: -304.8 m to 3,048.0 m (-1,000 ft to 10,000 ft)
- Non-Operating: -304.8 m to 12,192.0 m (-1,000 ft to 40,000 ft)
Humidity
- Operating: 8% to 90% non-condensing
- Non-Operating: 5% to 95% non-condensing
Noise
- Varies depending on drive mechanism installed
- Brand new OWC solution built with Seagate factory recertified drives with zero hours of prior use.
- USB-C (USB or Thunderbolt) host connectivity requires USB-C to USB-A adapter (available separately)
Benchmarks
Truth in Numbers: Another OWC Difference
There are many attributes that define “The OWC Difference.” By listing real-world performance tests of OWC solutions, we’re confident you’ll be completely satisfied with your technology investment.
macOS Test Results
Blackmagic Disk Speed Test - Intel
USB 3.2 Gen 1

Blackmagic Disk Speed Test - Apple silicon
USB 3.2 Gen 1

AJA System Test - 4K - Intel
USB 3.2 Gen 1

AJA System Test - 4K - Apple silicon
USB 3.2 Gen 1

Windows Test Results
CrystalDiskMark
USB 3.2 Gen 1

AJA System Test - 4K
USB 3.2 Gen 1

Compatibility & Installation Videos
MacBook Pro




















Requires USB Type-C to USB Type-A adapter

Requires USB Type-C to USB Type-A adapter



































MacBook Air

Requires USB Type-C to USB Type-A adapter

Requires USB Type-C to USB Type-A adapter

Requires USB Type-C to USB Type-A adapter

Requires USB Type-C to USB Type-A adapter

Requires USB Type-C to USB Type-A adapter

Requires USB Type-C to USB Type-A adapter
















MacBook






Requires USB Type-C to USB Type-A adapter


Requires USB Type-C to USB Type-A adapter

Requires USB Type-C to USB Type-A adapter

























Mac Pro










Mac Studio


Mac mini










PC Compatible

Customer Reviews
I was expecting to receive the usual 3TB drive that I usually ordered. Need to return what you sent me. Please advise.
- Reviewer:Reviewer2025357410
Thank you for your feedback, and we truly apologize for the confusion with your order. It looks like your order was for the enclosure only, rather than a complete drive, which is why you received only the enclosure. We understand that this was not what you expected, and we’re sorry for any frustration it has caused. To resolve this, please feel free to reach out to us so we can assist you with setting up an RMA and issuing a refund for the enclosure. Additionally, we want to clarify that we only offer the Mercury Elite Pro with even capacity units (such as 2TB, 4TB, 6TB, 10TB, 12TB, 14TB, and 16TB), which may be different from what you've ordered in the past. We’re here to assist you every step of the way, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any further questions or need assistance with the return process. Thank you for your understanding, and we look forward to making this right for you.
Always as expected now professional and at a great value, You guys rock.
I would recommend this product to a friend!
- Reviewer:Talonguitarworks
Wow, thank you so much for your fantastic review! We're thrilled to hear that you consistently have such positive experiences with us. It's our mission to provide top-notch products and service, and knowing that we've met your expectations means the world to us. We truly appreciate your continued support and can't wait to serve you again in the future! You rock too!
Out of the box and running in about 10 minutes. Now it lives as Time Machine on my primary iMac. I’m completely satisfied.
I would recommend this product to a friend!
- Reviewer:CloudyFirefly-79737
Wow, thank you so much for your fantastic review! We're thrilled to hear that your drive adapter was up and running in no time and that it's serving as your Time Machine! It's always exciting to know our products are making a positive impact on your setup. Your satisfaction means the world to us, and we can't wait to support you again in the future!