External Hard Drives

The LaCie 2big Quadra external hard drive is basically a dual disc external RAID hard drive. The functional uniqueness of a RAID hard drive is that it gives users the extensive option, which enables them to mirror their data in two or more than two drives. This feature is a boon to the users as it ensures protection from data loss and even if one drive fails or collapses, the data is safely protected in another drive. The LaCie 2big Quadra is beneficial in these cases, as it encloses two hard disk drives within the same shell, which saves a lot of disorganised wires and cables, and saves effort. In other cases, the users require relying on two different hard disk drive enclosures, and two Firewall cables and they need to attach two different power cords as well.

The LaCie 2big Quadra RAID Drive has a few other extensive features as well. The two RAID hard disk drives have a number of user-friendly features, like they can be hot-swapped, they are extractable, and they can also be locked for advanced security against data loss. Moreover, the operational RAID towers in the LaCie 2 terabyte Quadra HDD has a very low energy consumption rate and is also very quiet while it carries out its functions and executes its operation. Thus it is user friendly and also environment friendly. The base model was designed by Neil Paulton  and the basic outlook is quite sleek and chick. The LaCie 2big Quadra also has an excellent feature to dissipate heat and with its functional and fashionable quotient soaring higher than other double RAID external HDD’s prevalent in the market, it does add to the style statement to any computer system along with its undoubtedly efficient working ability.

Design:

Compact and portable:
Most of the double RAID external hard disk drives take a lot of space on our desk and make it look very tacky and clumsy.  The LaCie 2 Big Quadra External Hard Disk Drive, with a dimension of 20 cm x 9.1 cm x 17.2 cm (L x W x H), is quite compact. Nowadays, the digital and media is basically making the use and availability of an external hard disk drive not only a luxurious boastful product, but is now a necessity for everyone. Thus, these devices have become a part of home computer system. For the same reason, users nowadays pay a lot of attention to the design, ergonomics and cosmetics of devices and gadgets even if it is an external hard disk drive. Considering this factual bit, the LaCie 2 Big Quadra is a model that scores quite higher than the other similar devices in the international market in this sphere. With the compact dimensions and a weight of 2700 grams, this device is quite attractive and handy.

Classy looks:
Designed by Neil Poulton, the LaCie Quadra dual RAID external hard drive has an elegant outlook, with metallic aluminium like finish. The ribbed aluminium covering not only gives a classy look to the device but it also helps in reducing the heat dissipation because of its large surface area, which in turn helps to cut down the fan noise to quite an extent. The great blue glowing orb in the centre is a compliment to the system, but there is confusion to whether it should be catered as a boon or bane. On one hand, where the blue orb adds to the style quotient of this external hard disk drive device, on the other hand, the strong illumination might not be very appreciated by the users. The blue central orb surely looks pretty cool and classy glows when the device is in use or when it is directly or indirectly executing some action. Though nowadays, most stylish gadgets with an indicator comes with this bluish illumination, but the emission from the LaCie 2big Quadra external hard disk drive is too strong to be stated as ‘cool’. It literally bathes the user in the enormously powerful light which is not a very positive factor for the users, especially when they use it at night.

Host of interfaces:
The LaCie 2big Quadra external hard disk drive sports a variety of interfaces. A USB 2.0 port is available, which supports almost all portable USB devices. Other than this, FireWire 400, FireWire 800 interfaces are also present. And to compliment it a seven pin Serial ATA/300 eSATA interface is featured, thus ensuring its compatibility to a universal level where the device can execute with collaboration with any PC or Mac.

The Exterior Quality:

The built of this Lacie External hard disk drive is quite solid and concrete. Substantially, this device is larger than most other drives because of the obvious reason, that it accommodates dual drives with dual backup system. The compact and rigid aluminium body is heavy and hardy. It can sustain external pressure and impact to an amazingly high extent. The threshold limit is so high that the device will endure a fall from a height without a scratch or any kind of internal damage. The device seems to be literally indestructible. This hard disk drive not only looks rock solid externally, but going by its functioning abilities as well, it is a gem. Other devices of its league would seem like an underdog in front of this big thing.

Capacities:

The LaCie 2big Quadra is available in three massive capacities of 2TB, 3TB and 4TB.

Features:

Generally, an external hard disk drive’s basic functional ability is a non–brainer. The basic working is plug in, turn it on and let the bundled software do the auto backup thing. But for the LaCie 2big Quadra external hard disk drive, the system functioning is a bit complex. The simple task of auto back up of files for prevention from data loss has been made quite a bit complex with addition of a power management feature and a cooling system.

Dual drives:

The LaCie 2big Quadra external hard disk drive sports a dual disk with a total of 2 terabyte storage capacity. Thus, in terms of storage and back up, this device offers more than enough space to backup files, import data files, storage digital media files to mention a few. Each of the two RAID drives have a amazingly high speed of 7200rpm which is uniquely efficient. The device also features around up to 32 megabytes of cache storage for enhanced optical performance for the same. The benefit of being a RAID model has its own added advantages. Because of the same, the LaCie 2big Quadra offers a remarkably fast execution, termination and performance speed, offers a very high storage capacity and also provides added security. These features can be manipulated by the user with the appropriate settings and controls, which is in turn dependant on the RAID configuration of the device.

Customisable:

The LaCie 2big Quadra is subjected to a higher performance speed and is also scalable and expandable for greater storage capacities and alterations in the data transfer speed is also possible. There is an exceptionally useful and unique feature which allows the user to hot swap the drives, which means a user can replace or remove either of the drives even when the device is running. The process to install the hardware of the drives into the system registry of the desktop or laptop is also quite easy. Installing new drives is also a child’s play. All the user has to do is insert the CD or DVD and follow the simple instructions. A within package tool is also provided which enables user to lock or unlock one or both the drives.

Interface speeds and Applications:

The USB 2.0 interface sports a high transfer rate up to 480mbps and on the other hand, the eSATA interface provides extremely high transfer speed of around 3000mbps. Thus, this external hard disk drive is highly compatible for any kind of digital media software and applications which include photography applications, animations and audio visual presentations, and HD post production applications. To top it all, the two FireWire ports (FireWire 400 and FireWire 800) allows users to daisy chain a second drive with an ease. The eSATA interface enhances and boosts high performance speed critical matters like video editing and the other ports see to it that the user can connect the external hard disk drive to almost any computer, thus allowing users to access, use and manipulate stored files and data from anywhere, anytime.

Eco-friendly:

Unlike the other generalised traditional RAID towers present in other external hard drives, the LaCie 2big Quadra external drive has kept in mind the energy saving factor. The 2big Quadra can reduce the in average energy consumption rate by around 30 percent to 80 percent, which is a great benefit compared to the higher energy consumption rate of other traditional RAID towers. The device sports a sturdy aluminium casing, which provides a larger surface area and greater heat dissipation power. Moreover, the highly reliable and efficient cooling system of this device renders the heat release by around 60 percent. This in turn helps in increasing the longevity of the device and also reduces the fan noise to around 50 percent. Thus, the LaCie 2big Quadra offers a more efficient system with less heat release and a much quieter environment as compared to the other devices of its kind in the international market.

Faulty fans:

With the aluminium casing and the ultra effective cooling system, the manufacturers claim that the device remains safe and quiet but, by and large, there have been complaints about the device being ‘quiet’ at all. Though the fans work really fine, and truly the cooling system if very efficient, but at times the fans do act weird. Moreover, at times the device fans fail to provide the users with the so promised ‘quiet’ ambience. At times they do produce a lot of noise similar to that which a desktop computer produces when it is processing maximum load. This again adds up to a negative point for interested users. The faulty fans of the LaCie 2big Quadra is really a subdued disadvantage if it at all goes wrong.

Power Switch with three modes:

The LaCie 2big Quadra external hard disk drive has a three mode power switch. It can be used to change modes between on, off and auto. The basic implementation of the auto mode is that the drives go into standby mode when it is not in use for some time. In short, the device sleeps. But at times, even though in auto mode, the fans flare up without a reason even when there is no execution or functioning of the device. This can be really frustrating at times if the frequency increases. Other than this, the device is otherwise almost perfect in terms of outlook, efficiency and performance.

Software Bundle:

The LaCie 2big Quadra 2TB/3TB/4TB external hard drive sports a Genie Backup Manager Pro with Disaster Recovery software for PC’s for Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Vista and a Intego Backup Manager Pro software for Mac OS X 10.4. These software make it very easy and convenient for users to store files and data in the drives and is also beneficial in case of data recovery or computer recovery from a backup point. These software are also known as LaCie ‘One–Click’ Backup Software for Mac or PC’s. Moreover, the device is also compatible with Apple’s Time Machine, which is an added feature for the same. Other than this, the LaCie 2big Quadra also has software for automatic backup of files and file verification in case of Mac, called as the SilverKeeper software.

Performance:

The LaCie 2big Quadra external hard disk drive is really a worthy device when it comes to expanded high storage capacity and protection. The solid aluminium casing ensures it is physically endurable to external pressure or impact. This also helps in maximum heat dissipation and thus ensures the systems cooling system to work perfectly. The RAID towers are pretty strong and effective and are far better than other devices of its league. With the high processing speed of each drive which reaches up to 7200rpm and with four varied and distinguishable interfaces to chose from, this device has full compatibility with any PC or Mac, without letting the users face any problems as such. The energy saving provision controls the power savings from 30% to 80% and the ultra efficient cooling system is sported by two fans, which unlike other hard disk drives are very low when it comes to emission of noise during performance. With loads of bundled software included in the CD provided in the package, users can try out a variety of things like photography editing, video editing, audio visual presentations and so on. The LaCie drive also has two amazingly reliable backup software for both desktop PC and Mac.

Package Contents:

A horde of package contents come complimentary with the LaCie 2big Quadra external hard disk drive which includes the 2big Quadra hard disk drive Array, a eSATA to eSATA 3 Gbits cable, a FireWire 400 ( 6 to 6 pin ) cable, a FireWire 800 ( 9 to 9 pin ), a very high speed 2.0 USB cable, a Power Supply Kit, the bundled Software CD along with a User and a Quick installation guide.

Warranty:

The Manufacturer provides a limited 3 year warranty for the LaCie 2big Quadra external hard disk drive.

Verdict:

Thus, to conclude it all, this LaCie 2big Quadra external hard disk drive is a classy combination of style and performance with added benefits like extra security and greater storage spaces, complimented with a very fast processing speed. It is no doubt a worthy buy for the users, if they are happy to bear with the minor inconvenience they might face because of the extra bright blue central orb illumination and with occasional fault with the device fans. In the international market, the LaCie 2big Quadra is literally of the best options and scores better than most other devices of its kind.

Lacie 2Big Quadra RAID Drive – Technical Specification Table

Manufacturer	LaCie
Model Name	LaCie 2big Quadra
Model Numbers	2TB: 301352EK 3TB: 301431EK 4TB: 301432EK
Drive Type	Hard Drive Array
RAID Levels	Concatenation
Storage Capacity	2 TB Installed
Dimensions (Height x Width x Depth)	20cm x 9.1cm x 17.2 cm
Weight	2700 grams
Casing	Aluminium finish
Hard Drive	2TB: 2 x hot swappable 1TB disks 3TB: 2 x hot swappable 1.5TB disks 4TB: 2 x hot swappable 2TB disks
RAID Modes	Easy RAID selection: RAID 1 RAID 0 Mixed Partition (RAID 0 and RAID 1) Concatenation
Spindle Speed	7200 rpm
Cache	up to 32MB (2x16MB) or greater
Capacities available	2TB, 3TB and 4TB
Interfaces	USB 2.0, FireWire400, FireWire800 and ATA/300 eSATA
Read/Write Speed	USB 2.0: 480 Mbps FireWire 400: 400 Mbps FireWire 800: 800 Mbps eSATA: 3000 Mbps
Seek time	< 10ms
Burst transfer rate	eSATA 3Gibts: 145-165MB/s FireWire 800: 80-90MB/s FireWire 400: 35-40MB/s Hi-Speed USB 2.0: 30-35MB/s
Cooling system	Ultra-quiet cooling system with SMART thermo-regulated blower technology Advanced heat sink design for greater heat dissipation
Power Source	External
Software included	Silverkeeper software for Auto backup and File Verification (Mac). Genie Backup Manager Pro with Disaster Recovery for Windows 2000, XP, and Vista. LaCie ‘1-Click’ backup software for PC and Mac. Intego Backup Manager Pro Software with Disaster Recovery for Mac OS X 10.4
Compatible systems	Microsoft Windows 2000 / XP / Vista
Mac Compatible	Yes
Package contents	A 2big Quadra Hard Drive Array An eSATA to eSATA cable FireWire 800 (9 to 9 pin) cable FireWire 400 (6 to 6 pin) cable A Power Supply Kit A USB 2.0 cable Software CD with User Manual Quick Installation Guide
Warranty	3 years limited warranty