Posted to Hard Drives 2010-11-30
While compact, large capacity external hard drives are widely available, few meet the standards of ruggedness and durability as the 500GB LaCie Rugged USB 3.0 External Hard Drive (301930). Priced slightly higher than other USB drives, the LaCie Rugged is worth the price because it's manufactured from extra-durable materials and boasts shock-resistance of over 7 feet. If you plan to take your storage into the unknown, then this hard drive is a good place to start. Measuring just 3.5" x 1.0" x 5.7" and weighing 8.5 ounces, the LaCie Rugged comes available in capacities of 500GB, 750GB and 1TB. The 500GB model also comes in two flavors- 5400RPM for power-efficient storage and 7200RPM for performance hard drive processing. This particular model is the 500GB/5400RPM edition, so if you need a durable and efficient storage solution, then this may be the right one for you. While the extent of damage that this drive can take is unknown, it is built out of an aluminum chassis and has been reported to survive being run over.
ValueAlthough priced higher than competing drives of similar capacities, the LaCie Rugged USB drive offers extras such as 10GB online backup, which is free for the first year, and a two-year warranty protecting your electronic investment. In addition, this model comes complete with backup software and user-friendly plug-and-play capability. The sturdy yet stylish aluminum platform is fairly convincing of the hard drive's durability, but needless to say, there are other options available. If you plan to travel often or outdoors, then you should definitely consider this drive. PerformanceAlthough this model is the 5400RPM version, do not discount that as a slow hard drive. Thanks to advances in USB technology, the new USB 3.0 standard allows you to achieve speeds of up to 110MB/s. So not only do you get a more power efficient 5400RPM model, but you also get the advantage of SuperSpeed USB to compensate. In addition, the LaCie Rugged external hard drive comes with a bus-powered cable so you don't have to worry about bulky AC adapters. SummaryBecause this drive works well with both Macs and PCs, it is a lucrative accessory for all computer users alike. Furthermore, the latest USB standard, combined with a compact yet high capacity platform, makes the LaCie Rugged external hard drive a must-consider. Although the speeds will fail to impress 7200RPM disk drive veterans, the SuperSpeed USB helps to pick up the slack, as well as improve overall power efficiency. Despite being priced higher than competing hard drives, overall the 500GB LaCie Rugged USB 3.0 External Hard Drive (301930) is a good pick for the average consumer. Pros
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