Physical Inspection – All necessary cables included, gets power over USB, Quick Install Guide printed in a booklet that got me up and running in minutes. Software utilities and setup are on included CD-ROM. The drive itself is a strong statement, or maybe not the drive itself but the case. It’s basically a solid metal enclosure with a fingerprint reader on top and a black silicone wrapper around the edges. It’s pretty cool looking, but a little bulky compared to other portable hard drives. I have doubts over its ruggedness. I think it is plenty rugged for the average laptop user on the go but it is not going to take the beating that I dished out to the rugged USB keys earlier this year. I’m pretty sure if I threw this off the roof or drove over it or smashed it between 2 dumbells it would die.

Installation – On my Microsoft Windows Vista 64 workstation I followed the quick start guide and connected it physically. it via IEEE 1394 Firewire 400. Windows found it and offered to format it for me. I realized it wanted to format the drive with the LaCie install apps so I canceled. I dug around on the install apps directory to find the LaCie Safe Manager referenced in the Quick Start guide. I then had to restart.

After I restarted, I swiped my finger on the drive and Windows asked me to format it.

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.