The annual CES in Las Vegas is nothing if not a big spectacle for the latest in gadgetry and technology. Sometimes, we talk about drool-worthy specs, but we mustn’t forget the importance of dazzling design that catches your eye from afar either. The LaCie drives we’ve seen over the years have always emphasized their unique designs and this year’s show is no exception with at least two new offerings: the LaCie Porsche Design Drives and the LaCie Chromé.
That’s Chromé, not Chrome, for some added French flair.
Before we get to that, let’s first take a look at the new line LaCie Porsche Design Drives. You get mobile and desktop-sized external drives in all-aluminum enclosures and “forward-thinking” USB Type-C connectivity for fast and convenient transfers through a cable where the connectors on either end are identical. That’s perfect for owners of the new MacBook. It’ll even charge your laptop when one of these LaCie drives is connected to a power outlet, effectively acting as a power pass-through. If you don’t have USB-C, there’s still an adapter to work with USB 3.0 (Type A) too.
The mobile version of the drive starts at $109.95 for the 1TB version (it also comes in 2TB and 4TB), while the desktop drive starts at $209.95 for the 4TB model (it also comes in 5TB and 8TB). Expect shipments to commence in March.
Perhaps the more eye-catching of announcements, though, is the LaCie Chromé. Much like the LaCie Mirror drive from last year’s CES, this drive screams elegance and sophistication. Inside, you’ll find a pair of 500GB M.2 SATA SSDs configured in RAID 0. Connectivity comes by way of USB 3.1 Gen 2 and USB Type-C, offering speeds of up to 940MB/s.
And yes, just like the Mirror, the LaCie Chromé is also designed by Neil Poulton. He says the inspiration came from a 1935 bronze statue by Constantin Brâncuși. The enclosure is hand assembled, chrome to a mirror finish. The stand is forged from solid chromed zinc, holding the drive in place with neodymium magnets.
Expect it to ship with an MSRP of $1,100 later this quarter.
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Next Generation of LaCie Porsche Design Drives Combine Sleek Style and USB-C
STUTTGART, Germany & LAS VEGAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)– LaCie, the premium brand from Seagate Technology plc (NASDAQ: STX) and Porsche Design Group (Porsche Lizenz- und Handelsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG) today announced a new line of LaCie® Porsche Design Drives. Housed in sleek all-aluminum enclosures that reflect the signature Porsche Design style, the new Mobile and Desktop Drives feature forward-thinking USB-C connectivity with the highest capacities on the market in a compact form factor.
NEW USB-C CONNECTOR FOR NEXT-GENERATION COMPUTERS
The LaCie Porsche Design Drives offer the new USB-C connector for next-generation computers like the latest MacBook®. This feature makes the drive incredibly easy to connect, since both ends of the cable are identical and the connector is reversible. As a result, there is no wrong way to connect the drive to a USB-C computer. The drives also deliver fast transfer speeds, so users can drag and drop files and perform backups quickly. Plus, they are compatible with standard USB 3.0 (Type-A) ports thanks to the included adapter cable.
CHARGE YOUR LAPTOP WHILE CONNECTED TO THE DRIVE
By harnessing the power of USB 3.1, the LaCie Porsche Design Desktop Drive will charge a compatible laptop’s battery* when the drive’s power supply is connected to the wall outlet. Via a single USB-C cable, users can power their notebook and access their drive at the same time. With this feature, users will appreciate fewer cables on their desktops, and they can conveniently leave their laptop’s power cable in a briefcase or travel bag.
SLEEK, ALL-ALUMINUM ENCLOSURE BY PORSCHE DESIGN
Both the Mobile and Desktop Drives feature all-aluminum enclosures. They make the products lightweight yet sturdy, while the rounded corners, high-polish beveled edges and a sandblast finish combine to form the distinctly Porsche Design modern and elegant style. Beyond aesthetics, the solid aluminum enclosure is also scratch resistant, protects the hard drive mechanics and dissipates heat for optimal performance.
Since 2003, LaCie and Porsche Design have worked closely to deliver products with flawless functionality in its purest form. The sports and luxury-lifestyle brand and the leading technology company complement one another, with technical influence from LaCie and an exclusive and impeccable design presented by Porsche Design.
“Discerning consumers value elegant design in their devices and accessories,” said Dr. Christian Kurtzke, CEO, Porsche Design Group. “These new drives meld high-tech materials with the sleek visual purism of Porsche Design’s iconic style.”
“We are excited to continue our collaboration with Porsche Design Group, one of the most well respected sports and luxury-lifestyle groups,” said Lance Ohara, Senior Director of Product Lifecycle Management for LaCie. “With the LaCie Porsche Design Drives, we are bringing the latest USB-C technology to our customers with a product that is superior in both form and function.”
The LaCie Porsche Design Drives feature a two-year limited warranty that includes comprehensive, complimentary web-based resources, expert in-house technical support and worldwide repair and/or replacement coverage. It is possible to upgrade this service with warranty extensions and fast product replacement.
The LaCie Porsche Design Mobile Drive will be available in 1TB, 2TB and 4TB capacities starting at $109.95, whereas the LaCie Porsche Design Desktop Drive comes in 4TB, 5TB and 8TB capacities starting at $209.95. The drives will be available from March through the LaCie Online Store and LaCie Resellers as well as from Porsche Design Stores and Online.
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LaCie Chromé Desktop Storage Brings Best-in-Class USB 3.1 Speeds and Elevated Design
LAS VEGAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Today, LaCie®, the premium brand from Seagate Technology plc (NASDAQ:STX) unveiled the LaCie® Chromé desktop storage. Complete with forward-thinking USB 3.1 Gen 2 technology, USB-C connectivity and SSDs, it is the fastest USB storage solution on the market. Housed in a visionary aluminum enclosure by Neil Poulton, this innovative drive blends leading technology with design to create a product that shines from the inside out.
USB 3.1 GEN 2 SPEEDS
To maximize the USB 3.1 Gen 2 10 Gb/s potential, the LaCie Chromé features a pair of 500 GB M.2 SATA SSDs in RAID 0. Working together, these components deliver speeds of up to 940 MB/s* to handle serious, bandwidth-intensive applications. This performance lets users ingest two hours of 4K GoPro® footage in a little over one minute**, makes architectural and 3D modeling tasks smoother and faster, and enables the editing of hi-res video without first needing to convert footage to a lower resolution.
NEW USB-C CONNECTOR
The new USB-C connector also makes the drive incredibly easy to connect to a computer. Both ends are exactly the same and have no up/down or left/right orientation, so there is no wrong way to connect the USB-C cable. Plus, it is compatible with standard USB 3.0 (Type-A) ports thanks to the included adapter cable.
DESIGN BY NEIL POULTON
This signature device has been designed in collaboration with acclaimed industrial designer Neil Poulton to bring uncommon sophistication to a workspace. The elevated form is an homage to a 1935 bronze statue from Constantin Brâncuși, one of the most influential sculptors of the 20th century.
Once machined, the enclosure is hand assembled, then chromed to a mirror polish. Forged from solid chromed zinc, the stand securely docks the product with powerful neodymium magnets — and detaches for easy transport.
“The LaCie Chromé is a concept reduced to its essence: a rectangle tilted onto its corner, melting into its base like quicksilver,” said Neil Poulton, Chromé designer.
The LaCie Chromé is engineered for the long term — from the enclosure to the internal components — to endure intensive storage tasks. Its unique, all-aluminum enclosure is lightweight yet sturdy, with each product individually machined from solid aluminum blocks for rigid durability and heat dissipation. Since effective cooling ensures long-term component health, the LaCie Chromé features a blower that introduces cool air and a heat sink that draws hot air away from the SSDs.
The LaCie Chromé features a two-year limited warranty that can also be extended and upgraded. The included limited warranty provides comprehensive, complimentary web-based resources, expert in-house technical support and worldwide repair and/or replacement coverage.
The LaCie Chromé comes in a 1 TB capacity (MSRP $1,100.00) and will be available as early as this quarter through the LaCie Online Store and LaCie Resellers.
LaCie, the premium brand from Seagate Technology, designs world-class external storage products for Apple® and PC users. LaCie differentiates itself with sleek design and unmatched technical performance. Find out more at www.lacie.com.
* Actual data rates may vary depending on operating environment and other factors.
** Based on 64 GB of 4K GoPro footage (source). Quantitative usage examples for various applications are for illustrative purposes.
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