QuadInterface
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OWC pushes quad interface Blu-ray burner to 8x
So much for staying atop the pile, eh? Just four months after OWC introduced the world's first external Blu-ray drive with a quad interface, the company has already outed the next iteration. Spec-for-spec, it's exactly the same as the prior version save for the drive speed, as this one will toast BD-Rs at 8x, blank DVDs at 16x and writable CDs at up to 32x. You'll still find USB 2.0, FireWire 400, FireWire 800 and eSATA ports 'round back, and if you're certain you won't be angry when the 16x model ships by Fall (just a hunch, really), you can hand over your $399.99 right now.
OWC tempts with 4-bay Mercury Rack Pro RAID solution
If OWC's latest and greatest external RAID drives are just too, um, unmountable for your tastes, how's about this? The 4-bay Mercury Rack Pro features the increasingly familiar quad interface (USB 2.0, FireWire 400, FireWire 800 and eSATA) and supports up to four 2TB 3.5-inch SATA I / II hard drives, up to 128MB total data buffer, a variety of RAID options and ultra-quiet operation. Those looking to fill that one last 1U slot with oodles of storage room can buy in now for anywhere between $899.99 (2TB) and $1,499.99 (4TB).
OWC intros dual-bay quad interface Mercury Elite-AL Pro RAID drives
OWC's Mercury Elite-AL Pro hasn't changed much since May of 2007 in terms of design, but the latest models offer up two bays for that sweet, succulent RAID action. The Mercury Elite-AL Pro Dual-Bay drive offers up four interface options (USB 2.0, eSATA, FireWire 400 and FireWire 800) and comes in an aircraft-grade brushed aluminum housing. Pre-configured models are available now from $219.99 (500GB) to 3TB ($499.99).
Verbatim debuts quad interface 500GB / 1TB external HDDs
While they aren't the first quad interface external drives on the market, Verbatim's adding to the bunch with a new 500GB and 1TB model. Slated to debut at this year's Macworld Expo, the pro audio / video-grade drives are Mac and PC compatible and tout USB 2.0, FireWire 400, FireWire 800 and eSATA II sockets. Each unit weighs 3.3-pounds and features 3.5-inch HDDs with 7,200RPM spindle speeds and 32MB of cache. Grab one right this very moment for $179.99 / $249.99, respectively.[Via InformationWeek]
NewerTech intros quad-interface SATA HDD dock of its own
It's amazing, really, that this meme has lasted this long. When we first noticed Brando's SATA HDD Dock, we figured it was destined to become a cute, one-off gift that only the hardest of hardcore storage freaks would bother with. Over a year later, we're having trouble counting the iterations available. Now, we've got storage mainstay NewerTech diving in with one of its own, as it has just revealed the quad-interface Voyager SATA hard drive docking station. As you'd expect, the unit turns any 2.5- or 3.5-inch SATA I / II hard drive (up to 2TB) into an external drive, and with FireWire 400 / 800, USB 2.0 and eSATA sockets, you shouldn't have any issue hooking it up. It's available now for stocking stuffing at $99.95.
OWC introduces first external Blu-ray drive with quad interface
It's debatable whether or not Apple is losing its touch with FireWire, but you can rest assured that OWC hasn't. Said outfit has just announced the industry's first Blu-ray external drive with a quad interface, meaning you can link it up to your PC or Mac via FireWire 400, FireWire 800, USB 2.0 or eSATA. The Mercury Pro SW-5583 arrives with the capability to toast BD-Rs at a rate of 4x and includes a pair of 25GB BD-R discs for $499.99; the closely related Mercury Pro SW-5583T throws in a full retail version of Roxio Toast 9 Titanium (OS X) and sells for $579.99. Now, if only we could convince Steve that Blu-ray and Macs could indeed get along together, we'd really be satisfied. Full release after the break.
OWC's Mercury Elite-AL Pro "Quad Interface" 1TB external drive
We're pretty impressed by OWC's "gotta plug 'em all" collection of ports on this new external drive, the OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro, which features a "Quad Interface" and 1TB of 7200RPM storage in a Mac-friendly enclosure. The drive can handle FireWire 800, FireWire 400, USB 2.0 and eSATA, and OWC is claiming speeds up to 80MB per second on FireWire and 150MB/s on eSATA, thanks to the Oxford 924 chipset. The $600 pricetag is a wee bit steep, but OWC is nice enough to include FireWire, USB and eSATA cables in the box, along with various backup softwares for Mac and Windows. We're getting a little tired of the Mac Pro-style cheese grater look, but you can find 1TB drives with a whole lot more ugly, that's for sure, so we won't complain too much. The drive should be available now, in capacities on down to 250GB if you're not quite ready to make the 1TB plunge.
