Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)As of this writing, you can get the predecessor LaCie 500Gb HDD for $115 shipped. It's a very nice unit that is extremely cost efficient, but with one drawback: it gets very hot when used for a long while. Otherwise, it's a fine and reliable hard disk drive. So, why pay $70 more for this new Quadra HDD that has the same size storage?
First off, the older LaCie is only USB 2.0 compatible. Second, it has just an 8Mb cache. And lastly, it is only designed for horizontal placement, not vertical.
This new Quadra design cools off the unit better. It still gets very warm, but not as bad as its predecessor. I never let these external drives frequently run for hours on end anyway, but when you're doing an overnight download you don't want to heat up the room!
Next, it has a 16Mb cache--double its predecessor. You won't see 2x times performance necessarily, but it is definitely better.
But where this HDD really shines is in the quad connections (hence "Quadra"). It supports USB 2.0, Firewire 400/800, and eSATA. If you have an old computer system, you can transfer media via USB. And if you have a newer system that supports the faster Firewire or eSATA, this device will keep up nicely. So this makes for a great "technology bridge" storage device, able to work with older and newer computers. If you've got an old PC or Mac and you're looking to upgrade in the near future, getting this HDD will let you have the faster transfer rates when you upgrade.
Why not 5 stars? Well, I do find the workmanship of the external casing not as solid as the older LaCie. For $70 more, you shouldn't have to sacrifice the casing quality. So, it's not as great for portability--not an issue if you're keeping it at home.
One final note: the need for faster transfer rates depends upon how you use your storage. If you're only looking for a simple backup HDD and speed is not of the essence for you, go with the cheaper 500Gb LaCie. But if you plan to watch video media directly from your external HDD, definitely go with this one. And if you've got space limitations requiring a vertical placement, you'll want to go with this HDD as well.
Click Here to see more reviews about: LaCie d2 Quadra 301110U 500 GB eSATA/FireWire800/FireWire400/USB 2.0 External Hard Drive
The LaCie d2 Quadra 301110U 500 GB eSATA/FireWire800/FireWire400/USB 2.0 External Hard Drive is loaded with four interfaces for universal connectivity and extreme speed. Designed for the professional who needs advanced power management and superior performance, the versatile and high-performance d2 Quadra also features a space-saving design that will enhance the aesthetics and functionality of any work space.
The stylish aluminum design looks great with your office decor. View larger. Four Interfaces for Unmatched Performance and Compatibility The drive features USB 2.0, FireWire 400, FireWire 800, and eSATA interfaces, ensuring compatibility with any computer or drive. USB 2.0 offers up to a 480 Mbps transfer rate, while eSATA provides superior transfer speeds of up to 1500 Mbps. And the two FireWire ports will let you daisy chain a second drive easily. These connections give you the versatility to connect directly to a drive via the eSATA connection while you're working on demanding multi-media applications, while still having the ability to transfer or back up data files from your laptop or other computers via the USB or FireWire connections.
Superior Drive Performance for Power Users The d2 Quadra is an ideal drive for power users such as video editors and was voted the 2007 Hard Disk of the Year by VideoMaker magazine. The drive features a rotational speed of 7200 rpm and a cache of at least 16 MB. Coupled with the eSATA interface, the drive achieves an average seek time (write) of under 10 ms. This speed makes it fast enough for working with media such as sound and video directly on the drive.
With a capacity of 500 GB, the d2 Quadra can hold up to 500,000 photos, 125,000 songs, or 35 hours of DV video. If you purchase multiple drives, they can be set to RAID 1 for data redundancy and protection, or RAID 0 for even greater speed.
The d2 Quadra also offers three power management options: "Auto" for energy efficiency; "On" for instant access; and "Off" for data protection. A smart fan automatically turns on and off depending on the temperature, ensuring that the drive stays cool and quiet. The drive also lets you back up files or launch any application with a simple push of the front blue button. This "shortcut button" can be configured to launch any document or application, or initiate the included EMC Retrospect Express software that offers automated backups.
Smart, Elegant Design With the d2 Quadra, LaCie's designers have fashioned a versatile, attractive and sturdy drive that offers several space-saving options for stacking. The durable aluminum casing offers excellent heat dissipation, and thanks to the drive's detachable stand, it can be placed vertically to save space, or horizontally to stack multiple drives. The drive can even be rack-mounted to fit into an audio/video setup. Measuring a slim 1.7 x 6.3 x 6.8 inches (WxHxD), and weighing 3.31 pounds, the drive is compact enough to fit inside your briefcase for those times you need to transfer files between computers.
Works with Windows and Macs The LaCie d2 Quadra Hard Drive is compatible with Windows 2000, XP and Vista, as well as Mac OS 10.2.8 and higher, and is bootable on both when using FireWire or eSATA. It is also compatible with Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard and Time Machine.
Included with the drive is EMC Retrospect Express backup software for both Windows and Mac, making backup a breeze. Also included is LaCie "1-Click" backup software for PC or Mac and SilverKeeper Software for automatic backup and file verification (Mac).
The LaCie d2 Quadra 500 GB Hard Drive is backed by a 3-year limited warranty.
About LaCie Established in France in 1989, LaCie is a leading manufacturer of computer peripherals for Windows, Apple and Linux users. With offices and plants in the USA, Canada, Japan, Australia, Europe, Singapore and Hong Kong, LaCie develops and manufactures external storage solutions and color monitors that help professionals and everyday people easily manage their digital lives. LaCie has differentiated its products through original designs and leading-edge technology. What's in the Box LaCie hard disk, eSATA-to-eSATA cable, FireWire 800 cable, FireWire 400 cable, USB 2.0 cable, external power supply, drive stand, LaCie utilities CD-ROM, backup software.
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