LaCie Ships First RAID Storage with USB 3.0 Port

SAN FRANCISCO-Paris-based storage provider LaCie on Sept. 14 launched what it claims is the first RAID system to incorporate USB 3.0 connectivity.

The company said the twin-disk LaCie 2big and the single-disk LaCie d2-which work with both Macs and PCs-feature high-speed USB 3.0 ports.

LaCie made the announcement at the Intel Developer Forum here at Moscone Center West.

Developed primarily for design and video professionals and small businesses that require high capacity and fast transfer speeds, the LaCie 2big USB 3.0 features high I/O performance of up to 205MB/s, said Clement Barberis, product manager for LaCie's Professional Desktop Solutions.

The LaCie 2big USB 3.0 comes in capacities of up to 4TB, allowing users to store and transfer large files without waiting lengthy periods of time. Users have been known to transfer a 50GB Blu-ray disk in less than 5 minutes-six times faster than USB 2.0, Barberis said.

The 2big USB 3.0 is backward-compatible with USB 2.0, Barberis said.

The 2big unit, which is only slightly larger than a common toaster, includes two 7,200-rpm hot-swappable hard disks and three RAID modes for performance and security, Barberis said.

RAID 0 utilizes the full speed and capacity of the 2big USB 3.0, while RAID 1 Safe Mode runs slower but focuses on full data protection against disk failure, he said.

A JBOD (Just a Bunch of Disks) mode also is available for users who don't mind mounting the two disks separately for scheduled backups using the included LaCie Backup software for Mac or PC, Barberis said.

In addition to its fanless, ultra-quiet heat sink design, the LaCie 2big USB 3.0 provides advanced power management through customizable sleep and deep sleep modes, Barberis said.

The LaCie 2big USB 3.0 is available now through the LaCie Online Store, LaCie Reseller+ and LaCie Storage Partner. Pricing starts at $350.