The LaCie 6TB 2big USB 3.0 + USB 3.0 PCI Express Card combines an external RAID storage solution with SuperSpeed USB 3.0 interface and a USB 3.0 PCI card needed to add two USB 3.0 ports to your desktop computer. It's an ideal RAID storage solution for creative professionals who work in recording studios or post-production facilities. The SuperSpeed USB 3.0 interface is also compatible with USB 2.0 and 1.1. The 2big USB 3.0 works with both Mac and PC, although USB 3.0 through Mac requires the proper Mac OS driver. It has a capacity of 6TB, a drive speed of 7200 RPM and is capable of transfer rates up to 5Gbps.
The LaCie USB 3.0 PCI Express Card adds two SuperSpeed USB 3.0 ports to your computer. They afford transfer speeds up to 5Gbps and are also backward compatible with USB 2.0 devices. It's an NEC component, ensuring the highest level of quality and compatibility. This simple addition to your computer will greatly alter its performance, giving you unparalleled speed for quick transfers of large documents.
LaCie has equipped the 2big USB 3.0 with true hardware RAID, which supports RAID-0 for maximum performance, RAID-1 for maximum protection and JBOD for individual disk operation. It also has an easy switch-button selection to quickly move between the three RAID functions. The RAID storage has two removable drive modules, allowing for easy replacement and expansion. They are hot-swappable and easy to archive. Instead of storing an entire enclosure, with the 2big USB 3.0, only the drive modules need to be stored.
The 2big USB 3.0 is constructed of recyclable aluminum and the heat sink design creates 60% more surface area, which promotes better heat dissipation. This allows the 2big USB 3.0 to run without a fan, making it ultra-quiet. The design also affords several mounting features. It can be placed vertically or horizontally on a desk. It can also be stacked on top of itself. If you need more desk space, it's rack-mountable. For added security, the 2big USB 3.0 comes with LaCie Backup software with data restore for Windows and Mac.
| Mounting | Upright desktop Horizontal desktopStacked horizontalRack-mountable |
| Case Material | Aluminum |
| Capacity | 6TB |
| Interface / Transfer Rate (Max) | SuperSpeed USB 3.0 (5Gbps) Hi-Speed USB 2.0 (480Mbps) |
| Rotational Speed | 7200 RPM |
| Cache | 32MB (2 x 16MB) or greater |
| Read Speed | 306MB/s |
| Write Speed | 220MB/s |
| Switch Type | Easy switch-button RAID selection |
| RAID Function | RAID-0: Maximum performance RAID-1: Maximum protection JBOD: Individual disk operation |
| Hot-Swappable Disks | Yes |
| LED Indicators | Yes |
| Security Features | Drive lock Backup software |
| Power Management | Auto: for energy efficiency On: for instant access Off: for data protection |
| Cooling System | Advanced heat sink design for greater heat dissipation |
| Windows System Requirements | Latest version of Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 High-speed Internet for online storage Computer with a USB 3.0 or USB 2.0 port 600 MB is recommended minimum free disk space |
| Mac System Requirements | Mac OS X 10.5, 10.6 High-speed Internet for online storage Computer with a USB 3.0 or USB 2.0 port 600 MB is recommended minimum free disk space USB 3.0: Mac Pro compatible with LaCie USB 3.0 PCI Express Card (requires available PCI Express slot) USB 3.0: MacBook Pro compatible with LaCie USB 3.0 ExpressCard/34 (requires available ExpressCard slot) |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 3.7 x 7.9 x 7.2" (9.3 x 20 x 18.3 cm) |
| Weight | 7.9 lb (3.6 kg) |
Reviewed by 4 customers
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Comments about LaCie 6TB 2big USB 3.0 + USB 3.0 PCI Express Card:
I have another Lacie 2big that has had zero problems. The 6TB was the size I wanted and was easy to setup. It was setup as RAID 1 but never created the mirror files on the second drive. During a slow and frustrating effort to get answers for that problem from Lacie, the drive with my files crashed. I never got follow up from Lacie on the original problem (poor support) so I returned the drive and switched to another brand.
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Comments about LaCie 6TB 2big USB 3.0 + USB 3.0 PCI Express Card:
It's pretty easy to set up. I set it up as a RAID 1 drive for redundancy. I have been happy with the USB 3 speed. There is a problem with the drive not mounting on startup. According to LaCie there is a firmware issue but they weren't clear if it was the drive or the ExpressCard USB 3 for Mac. They said it affects Firewire and USB 3 but not eSata and USB 2. So be aware. But it works very well when working.
The instructions could use some TLC.
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Comments about LaCie 6TB 2big USB 3.0 + USB 3.0 PCI Express Card:
Every couple of years I look for the latest and greatest media drive. This year it's the LaCie 6TB 2big USB 3.0. I've been using the LaCie 3TB 2big with an eSTATA interface and wanted to replace the 2 year old drive, get more room and take advantage of the USB 3.0 speed on my Mac.
Installing the LaCie 6TB was easy and quick. The LaCie driver has worked well. I was up and running in under 15 minutes. I chose this combination over others because of the LaCie name and it came with the USB 3.0 PCI Express Card for my Mac.
Using the Blackmagic Disk Speed Test, I was getting a write speed of 113 MB/s and a read speed of 115 MB/s on the 3TB drive. This new 6TB drive gets a write speed of 153 MB/s and a read speed of 200 MB/s. This means I can do more "real time" work on larger projects using Apple ProRes 422.
The only problem I've had is that I have to do a complete shut down of the computer rather than just a restart. When I do a restart only, the drive doesn't show up on the desktop or using Mac Disk Utility. And, be sure you have an open PCI Express Card slot.
I'm a "1 man band" editing XDCAM EX1 video on my Jan 2008 (3,1) Mac Pro dual quadcore 3.0GHz with 16GB of memory using Final Cut Pro 7.0.1.
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Comments about LaCie 6TB 2big USB 3.0 + USB 3.0 PCI Express Card:
Even with a mirrored [safe] RAID, I was able to play back UNCOMPRESSED 1920x1080 content.
Speed. Security. Ease of use. Large drive size. A+
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