LaCie 301352U 2TB 2big Quadra 2-Disk RAID Hard Drive

LaCie 301352U 2TB 2big Quadra 2-Disk RAID Hard Drive Review

I have had the unit for about a week now and I am extremely pleased with it. I bought this unit after a lot of research to augment an external case using two drives set up in a software RAID 1 configuration. I wanted the Firewire hardware RAID 1 capability this unit provides. First I want to address some of the negative comments here.

Noise - Noise level is a very relative experience. The fans in this unit are noticeable but not unreasonably so. My old case also has fans that you can hear. My fans seem to be on all the time but I consider that a good thing as that means drive heat should not be a problem and the air coming out the back seems to always be cool. I would much rather hear fan noise than have the drives getting too hot.

RAID - If you don't know what RAID means and are not technically inclined then you probably shouldn't be messing with these settings anyway. The default setup is probably all you need. Contrary to posts I found that changing the setting to RAID 1, which is why I got the unit in the first place, was very easy to do. The only caveat I have on this is LaCies choice to use the Fast and Safe terminology rather than the standard RAID 0 and RAID 1 terms. This might confuse the less knowledgeable user.

Manual - I found the included manual to be all that most people would need. It does refer you to the manual on the CD for areas where you might need more information, but for those who don't need to change settings it should be just fine.

Pros - FW800 connection, very sturdy design, does not use WD drives, HW RAID, moderately quiet

Cons - none yet

I would definitely recommend this unit.

LaCie 301352U 2TB 2big Quadra 2-Disk RAID Hard Drive Feature

• Versatile 2 TB, dual-disk drive for massive storage space and speed
• Compatible with Macs and PCs, includes automatic backup for both
• Four connection interfaces include USB 2.0, FireWire 400, FireWire 800, and eSATA
• Striking design by Neil Poulton
• Measures 7.8 x 6.7 x 3.5 inches (WxHxD); 3-year limited warranty

LaCie 301352U 2TB 2big Quadra 2-Disk RAID Hard Drive Overview

The LaCie 2big quadruple interface professional 2-disk RAID delivers fast speed, large capacity and data security. With eSATA 3Gbits, FireWire 800, FireWire 400 & Hi-Speed USB 2.0, it provides complete universal compatibility with any PC or Mac. The easy-to-use 2big Quadra comes with two extractable, lockable and hot-swappable disks for a user-controlled solution. With four RAID levels, it meets your storage needs, whether it¿s security, capacity, speed or a combination. With burst transfer rates as high as 165MB/s** (eSATA), it¿s ideal for audio/video projects (DV and SD video playback or 2D/3D imaging). The sturdy heat sink metal design provides 60% more surface area for natural heat dissipation. The 2big Quadra comes with Genie Backup Manager Pro software with disaster recovery for Windows users and Intego Backup Manager Pro software with disaster recovery for Mac users. It also features Triple Power Management and the LaCie Shortcut Button, which can launch any application you choose in one push. Box Contents: LaCie 2big Quadra, eSATA-to-eSATA (3Gbits) cable, FireWire 800 (9-to-9 pin) cable, FireWire 400 (6-to-6 pin) cable, Hi-Speed USB 2.0 cable, Power supply kit, Quick Install Guide, LaCie Utilities and User Manual on CD-ROM. System Requirements: eSATA, FireWire 800, FireWire 400 or USB ports, Windows 2000/XP or Vista, Mac OS X 10.3 or higher, Minimum free disk space: 600 MB recommended

Available at Amazon Check Price Now!

*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Sep 23, 2010 20:54:05