OWC launches Mercury Helios FX 650 eGPU, new portable storage, USB-C 'ClingOn' cable stabilizer

Other World Computing has launched a number of new items for CES 2019, including the Mercury Helios FX 650 eGPU, a number of new USB-C and Thunderbolt storage appliances, and a new USB-C cable stabilization system called 'ClingOn.'

OWC Mercury Helios FX 650 eGPU enclosure

The Mercury Helios FX 650 eGPU is a graphics card enclosure that connects over Thunderbolt 3 to similarly-equipped Mac and MacBook models, as well as some PCs that use the connection. The chassis has a heftier power supply than previous models, and is upgradable allowing users to place their graphics card of choice and to switch it out with another in the future.

Offering connections to displays using HDMI, DisplayPort, and DVI, the plug-and-play unit is also capable of providing power to its Thunderbolt 3-connected host, with its 100W power delivery capable of powering and recharging a MacBook Pro.

Supporting a graphics card inside the enclosure is a large variable-speed, temperature-controlled fan, which stays quiet when the inside of the enclosure is cool, but spins up to help chill the card down when it is under load. The enclosure is also made from recyclable materials, making it easier to dispose of in an environmentally friendly manner in the future.

Supplied with a Thunderbolt 3 cable, the Mercury Helios FX 650 eGPU is available to buy now, starting from $399 for the enclosure, rising to $549 in a bundle with a Radeon RX 580 graphics card.

OWC Mercury Elite Pro USB-C enclosure

The OWC Mercury Elite Pro mini USB-C range, compatible with Thunderbolt 3, is a high-speed portable data storage family, offered in both 2.5-inch SATA hard drive and SSD variants. Made from impact-resistant aluminum, it uses a heat-dissipating fanless design to operate quietly, with bus power allowing for minimal cables to be used.

Offering transfer speeds of up to 540MB/s, the portable drives have USB 3.1 Type-C and eSATA connections available to use, depending on the user's needs.

The hard drive-equipped versions start from $74.99 for the enclosure on its own, with hard drive-equipped models ranging from $124.99 for 500 gigabytes, rising to $219.99 for 4 terabytes. For the SSD versions, the range starts at $169.99 for a 500 gigabyte capacity model, rising to $499.99 for the 2 terabyte version.

OWC Envoy Pro EX external drive

The Envoy Pro EX lineup is a Thunderbolt 3-based storage system aimed at creative professionals on the move. Taking advantage of both Thunderbolt 3's speed and M.2 NVMe SSDs, the portable drives boast transfer speeds of up to 2,500MB/s.

Rated to MIL-STD-810g for drop test compliance without any extra protection, the 2019 models also have a durable and shock-proof rubber sleeve for enhanced safety from shocks and impacts.

Two ranges of the Envoy Pro EX are offered, with the primary version including 500 gigabyte, 1 terabyte, and 2 terabyte capacities at $279, $379, and $729 respectively. Video Edition models are also available, at $679 for the 1 terabyte version, and $999 for the 2 terabyte model.

OWC ClingOn cable stabilizer

Lastly, the OWC ClingOn cable stabilizer is an add-on to ports that helps keep drives connected to a Mac or other devices. Attached around the port using a strong adhesive, the ClingOn uses its soft foam interior to create a snug fit between the connector and the port, minimizing any wiggling and pulling that could cause the cable to slip out or otherwise drop the connection to external drives.

Compatible with any USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 device that has room for the attachment, OWC will start shipping the ClingOn in mid-January for $9.95, or $18.95 for a two-pack.

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11 Comments

randominternetperson 8 Years · 3101 comments

About 5 years ago

That ClingOn device is rather clever. If I were OWC, I would make a point of including one for free with every USB-C device I sold. They probably cost about 50c to make, and it would be a nice differentiator.

As annoying as the early heavy duty computer connectors were--with screws and clamps keeping them in place (like on the first Mac)--they stayed in place infinitely better than today's tiny connectors. USB-C trades off a lot of connection integrity for it's virtues of compactness and symmetry.

mikethemartian 18 Years · 1493 comments

Did OWC ever bring the DEC to market? All the references I see to it are from two years ago.

Mike Wuerthele 8 Years · 6906 comments

mikethemartian said:

Did OWC ever bring the DEC to market? All the references I see to it are from two years ago.

No, or not yet. Either.

We'll ask at CES.

lorin schultz 10 Years · 2744 comments

AppleInsider said:

OWC Mercury Helios FX 650 eGPU enclosure

The Mercury Helios FX 650 eGPU is a graphics card enclosure that connects over Thunderbolt 3 to similarly-equipped Mac and MacBook models, as well as some PCs that use the connection. The chassis has a heftier power supply than previous models, and is upgradable allowing users to place their graphics card of choice and to switch it out with another in the future.

Offering connections to displays using HDMI, DisplayPort, and DVI, the plug-and-play unit is also capable of providing power to its Thunderbolt 3-connected host, with its 100W power delivery capable of powering and recharging a MacBook Pro.

Supporting a graphics card inside the enclosure is a large variable-speed, temperature-controlled fan, which stays quiet when the inside of the enclosure is cool, but spins up to help chill the card down when it is under load. The enclosure is also made from recyclable materials, making it easier to dispose of in an environmentally friendly manner in the future.

Supplied with a Thunderbolt 3 cable, the Mercury Helios FX 650 eGPU is available to buy now, starting from $399 for the enclosure, rising to $549 in a bundle with a Radeon RX 580 graphics card.

One of the topics that comes up whenever eGPUs are discussed is how the Blackmagic units can not be upgraded with a better graphics card in the future whereas this one can. The question that comes up for me is whether or not that matters. Is this enclosure something that's likely to still be serviceable by the time one would want to upgrade the card? Won't newer Macs have moved on to newer interface busses by then? Will future graphics cards even use the same connections they do now? By the time tech has advanced to the point that one would be inclined to upgrade the card, isn't it likely the enclosure will be similarly outdated?

The second issue is noise. When Apple first introduced the smaller Mac mini body style, it offered us a look into how they mitigate fan noise. According to Apple, designers put a lot of effort into tweaking airflow to minimize turbulence, used high-quality fans that generate less noise to start with, and "tuned" the ports so the noise that does escape is in a frequency range that is less bothersome to human ears. It seems like at least some of that design approach has been applied to the Blackmagic eGPUs (I assume, based only on the fact that they're pretty quiet, not because of anything Apple or Blackmagic have published), but other suppliers seem focussed on power (which is good) but not so much on noise.

Is it a daunting task to make an enclosure that is powerful, upgradable, AND quiet?

macxpress 16 Years · 5913 comments

lorin schultz said:

AppleInsider said:

OWC Mercury Helios FX 650 eGPU enclosure

The Mercury Helios FX 650 eGPU is a graphics card enclosure that connects over Thunderbolt 3 to similarly-equipped Mac and MacBook models, as well as some PCs that use the connection. The chassis has a heftier power supply than previous models, and is upgradable allowing users to place their graphics card of choice and to switch it out with another in the future.

Offering connections to displays using HDMI, DisplayPort, and DVI, the plug-and-play unit is also capable of providing power to its Thunderbolt 3-connected host, with its 100W power delivery capable of powering and recharging a MacBook Pro.

Supporting a graphics card inside the enclosure is a large variable-speed, temperature-controlled fan, which stays quiet when the inside of the enclosure is cool, but spins up to help chill the card down when it is under load. The enclosure is also made from recyclable materials, making it easier to dispose of in an environmentally friendly manner in the future.

Supplied with a Thunderbolt 3 cable, the Mercury Helios FX 650 eGPU is available to buy now, starting from $399 for the enclosure, rising to $549 in a bundle with a Radeon RX 580 graphics card.

One of the topics that comes up whenever eGPUs are discussed is how the Blackmagic units can not be upgraded with a better graphics card in the future whereas this one can. The question that comes up for me is whether or not that matters. Is this enclosure something that's likely to still be serviceable by the time one would want to upgrade the card? Won't newer Macs have moved on to newer interface busses by then? Will future graphics cards even use the same connections they do now? By the time tech has advanced to the point that one would be inclined to upgrade the card, isn't it likely the enclosure will be similarly outdated?

The second issue is noise. When Apple first introduced the smaller Mac mini body style, it offered us a look into how they mitigate fan noise. According to Apple, designers put a lot of effort into tweaking airflow to minimize turbulence, used high-quality fans that generate less noise to start with, and "tuned" the ports so the noise that does escape is in a frequency range that is less bothersome to human ears. It seems like at least some of that design approach has been applied to the Blackmagic eGPUs (I assume, based only on the fact that they're pretty quiet, not because of anything Apple or Blackmagic have published), but other suppliers seem focussed on power (which is good) but not so much on noise.

Is it a daunting task to make an enclosure that is powerful, upgradable, AND quiet?

I can't see USB-C going away anytime soon. How long do you think people are going to wait to change this card? People who are interested in this will change around 2-3yrs, maybe sooner if something good comes out. USB-C is only going to continue to grow IMO. I have a 2018 Mac mini with an eGPU case and I like it a lot. Works really well in both macOS and Windows 10. I just like the fact that I can install my own graphics card inside it whenever I want and yes, its pretty serviceable. Has a standard power supply and everything inside it.