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LaCie 500GB Rugged Triple Interface Portable Hard Drive

  • Price: $121.00
  • GBP 77.07
  • B&H # LARFW8UD8500
  • Mfr# 301371

Product Highlights

  • FireWire-800
  • FireWire-400
  • USB 2.0
  • 5400rpm
  • LaCie Backup Software
  • Online Backup
  • Design by Neil Poulton

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The 500GB Rugged Triple Interface Portable Hard Drive from LaCie allows you to take your data on the road and off-road. It features a durable, rubberized bumper and scratch-proof exterior. Built to military specifications, you can be sure that the drive is protected from damage that can occur during daily use.

The drive connects to your computer via USB 2.0, FireWire-400, or FireWire-800. Backup software for Mac and Windows is included, as well as 1 year of access to LaCie's online service.

Rugged enclosure with rubber shock absorber is shock proof up to 7.2' (2.2 m), meeting the stringent MIL standards
FireWire-800 supports bus transfer speeds of up to 100MB/sec
Bus-powered for true portability
Connects via FireWire-800, FireWire-400, or USB 2.0
Plug & play design
Performance
Capacity 500GB
Interface 1x 9-Pin FireWire-800
1x 6-Pin FireWire-400
1x USB 2.0
Drive Speed 5400rpm
Buffer ≥ 8MB
Average Seek Time < 12ms
Sustained Data Transfer Rate FireWire-800: 40-50MB/sec
FireWire-400: 30-40MB/sec
USB 2.0: 30MB/sec
Drivers
Supported Required for Mac OS X 10.x, Windows 98SE, Windows Me
Included Included for Mac OS X 10.x, Windows 98SE, Windows Me
System Requirements
Mac Computer: G3, G4, G5 or Intel CPU
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.x
Windows Computer: Intel Pentium II 350MHz
Operating System: Windows 98SE, Me, 2000, XP
Hardware Memory: 128MB
FireWire-800, FireWire-400, or USB 2.0 port
General
Mounting Portable
Power Requirements Bus-powered
Environmental Requirements Operating Temperature: 41-95°F (5-35°C)
Dimensions (WxHxD) 3.5 x 1 x 5.7" (9 x 2.5 x 14.5cm)
Weight 0.55 lb (0.25kg)

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
LaCie 500GB Rugged Triple Interface Portable Hard Drive
 
4.7

(based on 164 reviews)

Ratings Distribution

  • 5 Stars

     

    (118)

  • 4 Stars

     

    (42)

  • 3 Stars

     

    (0)

  • 2 Stars

     

    (1)

  • 1 Stars

     

    (3)

97%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • Easy to use (137)
  • Easy to setup (127)
  • Quiet (118)
  • Large capacity / good size (115)
  • Attractive (101)

Cons

  • No power switch (7)
  • Slow (5)
  • Unreliable (3)

Best Uses

  • Back-up (109)
  • Additional storage (102)
  • Photo storage (82)
  • File transfer (73)
  • Video (68)
    • Reviewer Profile:
    • Power user (113), Casual user (34), Frequent user (6), Heavy duty user (5)
    • Primary use:
    • Business (101), Personal (58)
    • Computer Platform:
    • Mac (23)

Most Liked Positive Review

 

Lacie Rugged All Terrain Portable HD

Objective: Find a bombproof portable hard drive that can take the abuse of frequent airline travel.

Requirements: Durable, tough, quiet, fast and small with 250GB or more drive space....Read complete review

Objective: Find a bombproof portable hard drive that can take the abuse of frequent airline travel.

Requirements: Durable, tough, quiet, fast and small with 250GB or more drive space. It must have the ability to be powered by various voltages that are found internationally.

As an airline pilot who packs his camera for artistic endeavors abroad, I needed a tough and durable portable hard drive to survive the abuse my luggage normally endures. Additionally, aircrew members are frequently targeted by computer thieves. Thus I was looking for a product small enough that I could store it in a place away from my computer bag thus saving my pictures and documents should a thief one day target my computer bag.

I found the Lacie Rugged All Terrain Triple Interfaced Portable Hard Drive to be just such a product. I researched various portable hard drives and spoke to a few professional photographers. The one name that kept coming up was Lacie and their Rugged All Terrain Hard Drives.

This product is small, tough, durable and works like a charm. It is quiet and remains cool during operation as well as being powered off of the bus of my laptop. This bus powered option is really key when you start operating in different countries that have different voltages and types of power plugs. I have all the necessary power cords for my laptop and since the Lacie Rugged drives are bus powered, it alleviated the need for extra power cords and adapters for international operations. The Lacie Rugged Hard Drive has shock absorbers internal to the drive thus protecting your drive from drops and normal daily abuse. It's small and easy to operate.

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

 

Unreliable--used to love LaCie

Drive died after 6 weeks. Not very "rugged". Have 3 other LaCies--all fine. Something not engineered right with this model. My students bought them and half of theirs b...Read complete review

Drive died after 6 weeks. Not very "rugged". Have 3 other LaCies--all fine. Something not engineered right with this model. My students bought them and half of theirs broke, too. LaCie customer service is useless (computer-generated emails), though they'll probably replace it with an identical one. Data lost unless I void the warranty.

REVIEWS

Reviewed by 164 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-20

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2.0

Well Built But Slow

By Orlando Mergal, Accurate Communications

from Puerto Rico

About Me Power user

Verified Reviewer

Pros

  • Attractive Design
  • Compact
  • Easy To Setup
  • Easy to use
  • High Capacity
  • Quiet

Cons

  • Slow

Best Uses

  • Backup
  • File Transfer

Comments about LaCie 500GB Rugged Triple Interface Portable Hard Drive:

I purchased this drive some time ago and as far as drives go it has worked well. However, it has a 5400 RPM mechanism inside so it's slow. I tried to record SD DV video on it and it dropped frames like crazy.

If you are looking for a fast Firewire 800 portable drive this IS NOT the one that you want.

  • Primary use:
  • Business
  • Computer Platform:
  • Mac

Comment on this review

 
5.0

Awesome Drive

By Mike

from Bensalem, PA

About Me Power user

Verified Buyer

Pros

  • Attractive Design
  • Compact
  • Easy To Setup
  • Quiet

Cons

    Best Uses

    • Additional Storage
    • Backup
    • Video

    Comments about LaCie 500GB Rugged Triple Interface Portable Hard Drive:

    This thing is the best drive I own!

    • Primary use:
    • Business
    • Computer Platform:
    • Mac

    Comment on this review

     
    5.0

    Great drive!

    By TokyoCity

    from Los Angeles

    About Me Power user

    Verified Buyer

    Pros

    • Attractive Design
    • Compact
    • Easy To Setup
    • Easy to use
    • High Capacity
    • Quiet

    Cons

    • No Power Switch

    Best Uses

    • Additional Storage
    • Backup

    Comments about LaCie 500GB Rugged Triple Interface Portable Hard Drive:

    I love this drive. It's super light, makes no noise and super fast. It gets a little warm, but I think that's because it's doing its job.

    • Primary use:
    • Business
    • Computer Platform:
    • Mac

    Comment on this review

     
    5.0

    Working Great

    By Okie Campaigns

    from Norman, Oklahoma

    About Me Power user

    Verified Buyer

    Pros

    • Attractive Design
    • Compact
    • Easy To Setup
    • Easy to use
    • High Capacity
    • Quiet

    Cons

    • No Power Switch

    Best Uses

    • Additional Storage
    • Backup
    • File Transfer
    • Photo Storage
    • Video

    Comments about LaCie 500GB Rugged Triple Interface Portable Hard Drive:

    I use it in video work flow from the field to my home base. It work great.

    • Primary use:
    • Business
    • Computer Platform:
    • Mac

    Comment on this review

     
    4.0

    Handy portable

    By Rolf

    from Boulder, CO

    About Me Casual user

    Verified Buyer

    Pros

    • Easy to use
    • Quiet

    Cons

      Best Uses

        Comments about LaCie 500GB Rugged Triple Interface Portable Hard Drive:

        A great partner to my MacBook Air

        • Primary use:
        • Personal
        • Computer Platform:
        • Mac

        Comment on this review

         
        5.0

        Best Hard Drive for field use.

        By Michael Digital

        from Dayton, OH

        About Me Power user

        Verified Buyer

        Pros

        • Compact
        • Quiet
        • Rugged

        Cons

          Best Uses

          • Backup
          • File Transfer
          • Photo Storage
          • Video

          Comments about LaCie 500GB Rugged Triple Interface Portable Hard Drive:

          This is a MUST have for every serious professional. I've used these drives all over the world and in just about every conceivable weather condition and they work great! I use them to backup P2 cards and RAW still images as-well-as backup for my traveling Mac.

          • Primary use:
          • Business
          • Computer Platform:
          • Mac

          Comment on this review

           
          5.0

          Excellent for use on-the-go.

          By Johnson McSchmitt Sanders III

          from New York, NY

          About Me Power user

          Verified Buyer

          Pros

          • Compact
          • Easy To Setup
          • Easy to use
          • Quiet

          Cons

            Best Uses

            • Additional Storage
            • Backup
            • Video

            Comments about LaCie 500GB Rugged Triple Interface Portable Hard Drive:

            I was waiting for the Thunderbolt Little Big Disk, but they're taking their sweet time with that. I couldn't wait any longer. I use this for storage of video files and as a scratch drive, and it's great. I wish I had sprung for it sooner.

            (However, if looks bother you, they sell it with the ugliest possible rubber jacket to try and entice you to buy the absurd replacement-packs.)

            • Primary use:
            • Business
            • Computer Platform:
            • Mac

            Comment on this review

             
            5.0

            On the road without worries

            By Billy Two Hats

            from Nanuet, NY

            About Me Power user

            Verified Buyer

            Pros

            • Attractive Design
            • Compact
            • Easy to use
            • High Capacity

            Cons

              Best Uses

              • Additional Storage
              • Backup
              • File Transfer

              Comments about LaCie 500GB Rugged Triple Interface Portable Hard Drive:

              This product is easy and versatile, love all the cables that are included, you never know which one you'll need. Nothing like a simple, to the point item that does the job with no frills.

              • Primary use:
              • Business
              • Computer Platform:
              • Mac

              Comment on this review

               
              4.0

              reliable external drive

              By Sophie

              from Philadelphia

              About Me Power user

              Verified Buyer

              Pros

              • Easy to use
              • Portable

              Cons

                Best Uses

                • Video

                Comments about LaCie 500GB Rugged Triple Interface Portable Hard Drive:

                I buy a lot of the rugged drives so I can hand them off to different editors and not worry about them being thrown around and tossed in backpacks. They have proven themselves a most reliable drive. I also like that it powers itself off the 800fw cable so you don't have to pass off more then one cable.

                4 stars because eventually they die. In two years of use I have had 3 out of 16 die and I had enough warning (simple acting up) to get my footage off them.

                • Primary use:
                • Business
                • Computer Platform:
                • Mac

                Comment on this review

                 
                5.0

                Up and Running Fast

                By Brian

                from Chicago IL

                About Me Casual user

                Verified Buyer

                Pros

                • Attractive Design
                • Compact
                • Easy To Setup
                • Easy to use
                • Quiet

                Cons

                  Best Uses

                  • Additional Storage
                  • File Transfer
                  • Photo Storage

                  Comments about LaCie 500GB Rugged Triple Interface Portable Hard Drive:

                  Had it set up and reformatted for use with a Mac in less than 5 minutes. Backed up about 27 GB of photos in about 10 minutes over FireWire 800. Seems to be working great. I decided it was easier to store all my photos externally rather than sort through and trim out the duplicates to conserve space on my Macbook Pro, and this is already saving me time.

                  • Primary use:
                  • Personal
                  • Computer Platform:
                  • Mac

                  Comment on this review

                   
                  5.0

                  fast and portable

                  By monkey doctor

                  from atlanta, ga

                  About Me Power user

                  Verified Buyer

                  Pros

                  • Attractive Design
                  • Easy To Setup
                  • Easy to use
                  • High Capacity
                  • Portable
                  • Quiet

                  Cons

                    Best Uses

                    • Additional Storage
                    • Backup
                    • File Transfer
                    • Photo Storage
                    • Video

                    Comments about LaCie 500GB Rugged Triple Interface Portable Hard Drive:

                    I've been using Lacie hard drives for years and fully recommend the rugged triple interface. When shopping around for prices, beware that the Ruggeds all look the same but very in port options. I go between an iMac, Macbook (with only USB), and PC and need all three ports. The file transfers are extremely quick and the rubber exterior means you can transport it without an additional bulky case.PROS to buying this product:- multiple interfaces make it easy to use with both PC and Mac- PC and/or Mac- fast upload/download- durable, light and portableB&H's price, [...], etc. are also the best

                    • Primary use:
                    • Business
                    • Computer Platform:
                    • Mac

                    Comment on this review

                     
                    5.0

                    It is good

                    By Shanedigity

                    from New York, NY

                    About Me Power user

                    Verified Buyer

                    Pros

                    • Attractive Design
                    • Compact
                    • Easy to use
                    • Quiet

                    Cons

                    • Slow

                    Best Uses

                    • Additional Storage
                    • Backup
                    • Photo Storage

                    Comments about LaCie 500GB Rugged Triple Interface Portable Hard Drive:

                    Used the products for photo shoots. Everything was fine, they all worked. The drives are too slow but the 7200 speed were not available.

                    • Primary use:
                    • Business
                    • Computer Platform:
                    • Mac

                    Comment on this review

                     
                    5.0

                    Great hard drive

                    By Diego z

                    from Montevideo, Uruguay

                    About Me Power user

                    Verified Buyer

                    Pros

                    • Attractive Design
                    • Compact
                    • Easy To Setup
                    • Easy to use
                    • High Capacity
                    • Quiet

                    Cons

                      Best Uses

                      • Additional Storage
                      • Backup
                      • File Transfer
                      • Photo Storage

                      Comments about LaCie 500GB Rugged Triple Interface Portable Hard Drive:

                      I use it at home and on the move . Great construction , no need to use ac power and is fast.

                      • Primary use:
                      • Business
                      • Computer Platform:
                      • Mac

                      Comment on this review

                       
                      5.0

                      Very much liked the [...]product

                      By Shalla

                      from SM CA

                      About Me Casual user

                      Verified Buyer

                      Pros

                      • Easy To Setup
                      • Easy to use
                      • High Capacity
                      • Portable
                      • Quiet

                      Cons

                        Best Uses

                        • Additional Storage
                        • Backup
                        • File Transfer
                        • Photo Storage
                        • Video

                        Comments about LaCie 500GB Rugged Triple Interface Portable Hard Drive:

                        I needed an external hard drive to archive my photos. My son suggested the 500GB Triple Interface portable hard drive.
                        It arrived, it was easy to install, even for me (I am not a techie.) It was so easy and I was so excited that I stayed until 1 a.m. and saved all my pictures on the drive,
                        I am very happy about it.

                        • Primary use:
                        • Personal
                        • Computer Platform:
                        • Mac

                        Comment on this review

                         
                        5.0

                        Solid field performer!

                        By Michael Digital

                        from Dayton, OH

                        About Me Power user

                        Verified Buyer

                        Pros

                        • Rugged

                        Cons

                          Best Uses

                          • Additional Storage
                          • Backup
                          • Photo Storage
                          • Video

                          Comments about LaCie 500GB Rugged Triple Interface Portable Hard Drive:

                          I've used all types of LaCie drives and all of them have preformed great. These are no exception. I took a few of them with me to Sudan and dumped P2 video and RAW Jpegs to them for backup.

                          • Primary use:
                          • Business
                          • Computer Platform:
                          • Mac

                          Comment on this review

                           
                          4.0

                          best hdd for photo and videographers

                          By cihans

                          from Turkey

                          About Me Casual user

                          Verified Buyer

                          Pros

                          • Attractive Design
                          • Easy to use

                          Cons

                            Best Uses

                            • Backup

                            Comments about LaCie 500GB Rugged Triple Interface Portable Hard Drive:

                            It's very safety to use. Especially at the outside shootings

                            • Primary use:
                            • Business
                            • Computer Platform:
                            • Mac

                            Comment on this review

                             
                            4.0

                            my hard drive for travel

                            By Louise

                            from Haverford, PA

                            About Me Power user

                            Verified Buyer

                            Pros

                            • Attractive Design
                            • Compact
                            • Easy To Setup
                            • Easy to use
                            • High Capacity

                            Cons

                              Best Uses

                              • Additional Storage

                              Comments about LaCie 500GB Rugged Triple Interface Portable Hard Drive:

                              Only one I need and so easy to set up. Right way to go. Just wish it was "thunderbolt" ready

                              • Primary use:
                              • Personal
                              • Computer Platform:
                              • Mac

                              Comment on this review

                               
                              1.0

                              Full-featured, but fully unreliable

                              By Michael W

                              from New York, NY

                              About Me Power user

                              Verified Reviewer

                              Pros

                              • Easy To Setup
                              • Easy to use
                              • Quiet

                              Cons

                              • Unreliable

                              Best Uses

                                Comments about LaCie 500GB Rugged Triple Interface Portable Hard Drive:

                                On paper this product has a lot going for it: multiple interfaces (including Firewire 800), an Oxford chipset, a brand-name hard drive, and an ostensibly durable enclosure. Unfortunately the remaining design aspects seem to be fatally flawed (or LaCie has severe quality control problems), since I've experienced three logic board failures in less than a year of relatively casual use (mobile backup of photographs while traveling).Although LaCie's warranty service is adequate enough, [...]to say nothing of the inadequate reliability for backup purposes, let alone as a primary drive for everyday use.The drive itself actually still functions perfectly, so it now resides in a third-party USB enclosure. Avoid this model, if possible.

                                • Primary use:
                                • Personal
                                • Computer Platform:
                                • Mac

                                Comment on this review

                                 
                                4.0

                                Great little drive

                                By thestrutter

                                from Vancouver, wa

                                About Me Power user

                                Verified Buyer

                                Pros

                                • Attractive Design
                                • Compact

                                Cons

                                • No Power Switch

                                Best Uses

                                • Additional Storage
                                • Video

                                Comments about LaCie 500GB Rugged Triple Interface Portable Hard Drive:

                                I use the drive to back-up files, mostly video. It's small, convenient, and pretty fast.

                                • Primary use:
                                • Personal
                                • Computer Platform:
                                • Mac

                                Comment on this review

                                 
                                5.0

                                I love this Hard Drive

                                By redbaerd

                                from canton, ohio

                                About Me Casual user

                                Verified Buyer

                                Pros

                                • Attractive Design
                                • Compact
                                • Easy To Setup
                                • Easy to use
                                • High Capacity
                                • Quiet

                                Cons

                                  Best Uses

                                    Comments about LaCie 500GB Rugged Triple Interface Portable Hard Drive:

                                    I use this product in the field and at my editing workstation. I'm storing footage from my T2i before and while I cut it in FCP.

                                    Its shape and size make it perfect for transportation. Its design makes it stable in bags and protects it from too much movement. It's shape size and design make it way cool looking.

                                    I've read reviews complaining that it gets hot. I have experienced some hotness, but never approaching crisis or dangerous levels. And I let it run for a long time.

                                    • Primary use:
                                    • Personal
                                    • Computer Platform:
                                    • Mac

                                    Comment on this review

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                                    Hard Drive Sleeves & Cases

                                    LaCie -  Rugged Sleeves for LaCie Rugged Hard Drive - 3-Pack
                                    • Price: $10.41
                                    • GBP 6.63
                                     

                                    Hubs & Adapters

                                    Macally -  4-Port DotHub USB 2.0 Hub
                                    • Price: $12.99
                                    • GBP 8.27
                                     

                                    What's in the Box

                                    LaCie 500GB Rugged Triple Interface Portable Hard Drive
                                    • 9-Pin to 9-Pin FireWire-800 Cable
                                    • 6-Pin to 6-Pin FireWire-400 Cable
                                    • USB 2.0 Cable
                                    • USB Power Sharing Cable
                                    • Genie Backup Assistant Software for Windows 2000, XP, Vista
                                    • Intego Backup Assistant Software for Mac OS X 10.4
                                    • Quick Start Guide
                                    • 3-Year Limited Warranty
                                     
                                     
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