OWC Mercury Elite Pro mini

Support Manual

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Introduction

1.1 System Requirements

Operating System & Hardware

  • Works with any Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) or later equipped:
    • Mac: macOS 10.12 or later
    • PC: Windows 10 or later
    • Linux: current Ubuntu version recommended
    • iPad: current iPadOS version recommended
    • Android: current Android version recommended
    • Chromebook/Surface: current Chrome OS version recommended
  • USB-A host connectivity is supported and requires a USB-C to USB-A adapter (sold separately)

Supported Drives

  • 2.5-inch SATA drive up to 12.5mm height

1.2 Package Contents

  • (1) OWC Mercury Elite Pro mini
  • (1) 0.3M (12") USB-C Cable

1.3 Overview

1.4. (1) LED Indicator – Power & Data Connection = Solid Blue / Data Activity = Blinking Blue

1.5. (1) USB-C 10Gb/s Port - Attach the included data cable.

Getting Started

2.1 Device Setup

  • This section describes the process of setting up the OWC Mercury Elite Pro mini if purchased with a pre-installed drive (drive installed from factory).


1. Connect the included 0.3M (12") USB-C cable to the USB-C port on the back of the OWC Mercury Elite Pro mini. Connect the other end of the cable into a compatible host.

2. The OWC Mercury Elite Pro mini comes formatted as APFS for Mac systems. This allows for a seamless plug-and-play experience between Mac and iPad systems. Connect the OWC Mercury Elite Pro mini to a Mac or iPad and immediately begin using the drive.

2.2 Assembly Steps

  • This section describes the process of installing a drive into the OWC Mercury Elite Pro mini.

1. Place the OWC Mercury Elite Pro mini upside down on a flat static free surface. Remove the (2) exposed case screws, which will allow access to the inside of the enclosure. Additional screws are included in a baggie with the enclosure.

2. After the screws are removed, slide out the inner chassis tray.

3. Place the drive into the inner chassis tray and connect the drive into the SATA connector on the inner chassis tray. Make sure the drive is fully seated.

4. Secure the drive to the inner chassis tray using (4) drive screws found in the included baggie.

5. Slide the inner chassis and affixed drive back into the outer chassis. Secure again using the removed screws from Step 1 and the remaining (2) screws found in the included baggie.

6. Apply the included rubber feet over the screw holes. Connect the included 0.3M (12") USB-C cable into OWC Mercury Elite Pro mini USB-C port and into a system. The installed drive is ready to be formatted.

Device Management

3.1 OWC Disk Performance

  • As of Windows 10 v. 1809 the default Disk Removal Policy is ‘Quick removal’ instead of ‘Better performance’.
    • NOTE: OWC storage solutions that are experiencing slow read/write speeds should consider checking and changing the Windows disk removal policy. Changing from "Quick removal" to "Better performance" can increase disk performance. OWC offers the application OWC Disk Performance to help change the Disk Removal Policy. Changing from "Quick removal" to "Better performance" can also be changed manually.
  • Please review the support article Storage Solutions: OWC Disk Performance for more detail.

3.2 Manually Unmounting Volumes

  • To ensure no data is lost during normal use, always eject or unmount the corresponding volume(s) from the operating system before powering off and disconnecting the device. Unmounting options are provided below.

macOS

  • Drag the icon for the device you wish to unmount to the trash can; OR
  • Right-click the device icon on the desktop, then click “Eject”; OR
  • Highlight the device on your Desktop and press Command-E.

Windows

  • Windows 10 build 1809 (October 2018) or later:
    • Eject the drive by clicking the ‘Show hidden items’ menu in the Taskbar, then clicking ‘Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media’, and last select the ‘Eject’ option for this volume.
  • Windows 10 build 1803 and earlier:
    • Go to the System Tray (located in the lower right corner of your screen). Click on the “Eject” icon (a small green arrow over a hardware image).
    • A message will appear, detailing the devices that the “Eject” icon controls, i.e., “Safely remove...” Click on this prompt.
    • You will then see a message that says, “Safe to Remove Hardware.” It is now safe to disconnect the device from the computer.

3.3 Usage Notes

  • Opening a pre-built (drive installed from factory) OWC Mercury Elite Pro mini VOIDS the warranty.

Support Resources

4.1 Troubleshooting

  • Verify the USB-C cable is securely connected between the OWC Mercury Elite Pro mini and host.
  • Connect the OWC Mercury Elite Pro mini and host with a different USB-C cable.
  • Connect the OWC Mercury Elite Pro mini to a different host.
  • Users experiencing slow read/write speeds should consider checking and changing the Windows disk removal policy. Please review the support article Storage Solutions: OWC Disk Performance for more detail.
  • We are very sorry If issues continue to occur. Please know that OWC support is here to help. Contact information for our support can be found in section 4.4 "Contacting Support". Please have your serial number ready which is located on the bottom of the OWC Mercury Elite Pro mini and printed on the original packaging.

4.2 Online Resources

4.3 About Data Backup

To ensure that your files are protected and to prevent data loss, we strongly suggest that you keep two copies of your data: one copy on your OWC Mercury Elite Pro mini and a second copy on either your internal drive or another storage medium, such as an optical backup, or on another external storage unit. Any data loss or corruption while using the OWC Mercury Elite Pro mini is the sole responsibility of the user, and under no circumstances may OWC, its parents, partners, affiliates, officers, employees, or agents be held liable for loss of the use of data including compensation of any kind or recovery of the data.

4.4 Contacting Support

4.5 About This Manual

The images and descriptions may vary slightly between this manual and the unit shipped. Functions and features may change depending on the firmware version. The latest product details and warranty information can be found on the product web page. OWC’s Limited Warranty is not transferable and

General Use Precautions

  • To avoid damage, do not expose the device to temperatures outside the following ranges:
    • Environmental (Operating)
      • Temperature (ºF): 41º — 95º
      • Temperature (ºC): 5º — 35º
    • Environmental (Non-Operating)
      • Temperature (ºF): -4º — 140º
      • Temperature (ºC): -20º — 60º
  • Always unplug the device from the electrical outlet if there is a risk of lightning or if it will be unused for an extended period-of-time. Otherwise, there is an increased risk of electrical shock, short-circuiting, or fire.
  • Protect your device from excessive exposure to dust during use or storage. Dust can build up inside the device, increasing the risk of electrical shock, short-circuiting, or fire.

Safety Precautions

  • Use proper anti-static precautions when handling this device. Failure to do so can increase the risk of electrical shock or short-circuiting.
  • Never expose your device to rain, or use it near water, or in damp wet conditions. Never place objects containing liquids on the device, as they may spill everywhere and into the openings. This will increase the risk of electrical shock, short-circuiting, fire, or personal injury.
  • To avoid any risk of electrical shock, short-circuiting, fire, or dangerous emissions, never insert any metallic object into the device.
  • Please cease use of the device and contact OWC Support if it appears to be malfunctioning.

Terms & Conditions of Sale

Warranty

OWC’s products are subject to OWC’s Terms & Conditions of Sale located at Terms of Sale or other applicable terms. The OWC Mercury Elite Pro mini comes with a 3-Year Limited Warranty when sold with drives, and a 1-Year Limited Warranty when sold without drives. Additional warranty information can be viewed by visiting Hardware Warranties.

Changes

The material in this document is for information purposes only and subject to change without notice. While reasonable efforts have been made in the preparation of this document to assure its accuracy, OWC, its parent, partners, affiliates, officers, employees, and agents assume no liability resulting from errors or omissions in this document, or from the use of the information contained herein. OWC reserves the right to make changes or revisions in the product design or the product manual without reservation and without obligation to notify any person of such revisions and changes.

FCC Statement

Warning! Modifications not authorized by the manufacturer may void the user’s authority to operate this device.
NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference with radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

  • Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
  • Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
  • Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.

Copyrights and Trademarks

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written consent of OWC.

© 2024 Other World Computing, Inc. All rights reserved. Mercury, OWC, and the OWC logo are trademarks of New Concepts Development Corporation, registered in the U.S. and/or other countries. Mac and macOS are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Thunderbolt and the Thunderbolt logo are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other marks may be the trademark or registered trademark property of their owners.

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