Posted to Hard Drives 2010-05-03
Practical and usable are the buy lines that LaCie have attached to the LaCie Starck Mobile Hard Drive 301892, though it does lack the key feature of its big brother desktop version. The Starck mobile has a strong emphasis on design elements that make the drive easier to port around and the design choice of having a retractable USB cord should be commended. With one less cord to carry around and an overhaul of the square style design that plagues many external drives, the Starck mobile sets itself apart in the mobile hard drive category. This version has 500GB of storage capacity that is accessed via its USB 2.0 interface. The physical hard drive is protected by 2mm of resistant aluminum casing to ensure that the critical components are protected, while providing a useful source of heat reduction.
PerformanceLaCie has included their proprietary USB boost technology with the Starck Mobile to provide a 33% increase in data transfer rates, though this is only accessible after the driver is downloaded from their website and installed. Further, the driver is only available for PC, despite the unit overall being compatible with both PC and MAC operating systems. 60MB/s data transfer speeds are standard with the included USB 2.0 connection and the LaCie backup assistant helps perform automated backups easily. ErgonomicsThe Starck Mobile only weighs 12.5ounces, making it easy to port around in your backpack or handbag. With a professional designer involved, you should expect that the look and feel of any external hard drive should be improved. You will pay slightly more for the privilege of having a retractable USB cord as well as a more sleekly designed unit. The casing is rounded along the sides to give a less square feel to the case and the inclusion of the aluminum exterior also helps gives the hard drive a different look. SummaryThe Starck mobile, while providing some good design elements, falls into a higher price bracket for an external drive. It may be worthwhile for a mobile professional who meets a lot of clients face to face, but a standard home user can find better value elsewhere. The 500GB of storage is adequate for a mobile hard drive. Pros
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Related LinksLaCie Starck Mobile Hard Drive 301918: |
