LaCie Debuts Rugged USB 3.0 External Hard Drive

Ah, there we go. LaCie is one the big innovators in the hard drive space, which is an area where few companies go out of their way to add style and design to otherwise bland storage solutions. So we figured it was just a matter of time before the company matched offerings by rivals and added USB 3.0 across the board. We're still waiting for the "across the board" part, but at least one of the company's new drives are adding support for the latest generation of USB.


The new LaCie Rugged USB 3.0 looks exactly like the older version, with an iconic orange rubber housing protecting it from bumps and drops. Unlike the old one, this drive promises speeds of up to 110MB/sec, and if you need a way to access USB 3.0, LaCie also sells a USB 3.0 PCIe card for desktops. In addition, the company ships this drive with an extra 10GB of Wuala secure online storage for a year. It will be available soon in a 500GB model for $149.99, and we suspect that this is just the first of many USB 3.0 drives to ship from LaCie.

LaCie Announces Its Fastest Mobile Hard Drive: LaCie Rugged USB 3.0

    * Fastest interface on the market, with speeds up to 110 MB/s
    * Rugged design: drop-resistant up to 2.2 meters
    * Complete software bundle for easy formatting and backup
    * 10GB Wuala secure online storage included for one year

Today LaCie announced the latest addition to its Rugged family of mobile hard drives – the LaCie Rugged USB 3.0, combining the super speeds of USB 3.0 and LaCie's award-winning Rugged design. The LaCie Rugged USB 3.0 is one the most power-efficient and fast-performing mobile hard drives offered by LaCie.

The LaCie Rugged USB 3.0 provides speeds up to 110 MB/s – three times the speed of USB 2.0. The speed enhancement allows you to transfer one HD movie in less than 3 minutes (versus more than 8 minutes in USB 2.0). It offers improved power efficiency, so you only need one cable to be assured optimal performance.

"We are pleased to add USB 3.0, the fastest interface available, to our most recognized mobile solution," said Anne-Sophie Marchand, Consumer Product Manager. "Now the most demanding customers can get the best performance out of a 2.5" hard drive – making the Rugged USB 3.0 the only hard drive necessary for work in the field."

If you do not have a USB 3.0 connection on your PC or notebook, you can easily add it with a LaCie USB 3.0 PCIe card or USB 3.0 PCIe Express card. LaCie also offers bundled options with the Rugged USB 3.0 – you can choose the right card for your needs.

The LaCie Rugged USB 3.0 is backward compatible with USB 2.0, meaning it will work with any computer or notebook that has a USB connection – offering instant usability no matter what version of USB you have.

Housed in the award-winning Rugged casing designed by Neil Poulton, the LaCie Rugged USB 3.0 features a unique scratch-resistant aluminum shell, internal anti-shock absorbers, and a shock-resistant rubber bumper to better protect files against everyday blunders.

For advanced users, the LaCie Rugged USB 3.0 is the only storage solution you need for transferring large digital files on the go, with super fast speeds.

Availability
The LaCie Rugged USB 3.0 will be available in 500GB capacity through the LaCie Online Store, LaCie Corner, LaCie Reseller+ and LaCie Storage Partner starting at the suggested retail price of $149.99 (VAT included). For more information, visit www.lacie.com.

About Neil Poulton
Neil Poulton was born in Thurso, Scotland. A graduate in Industrial Design from Edinburgh University and Milan's Domus Academy, Poulton first came into public view in 1989 as the creator of "the ageing pens," pens made from a "living," wearing plastic that changes color and form with use. Today, Neil Poulton designs and develops best-selling, award-winning products for a variety of international clients including LaCie & Artemide. Since 1991, Poulton has lived and worked in Paris, France. www.neilpoulton.com

About LaCie
Located in the USA, Canada, Japan, Australia, Europe, Singapore and Hong Kong, LaCie is the leading manufacturer of computer peripherals for Windows, Apple and Linux users. LaCie creates 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. Established in France in 1989, LaCie is listed on Euronext under FR0000054314 (LAC). For more information, visit www.lacie.com

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