LaCie d2 Quadra Hard Disk 1 TB eSATA/FireWire 800/FireWire 400/USB 2.0 Desktop External Hard Drive 301442U (Aluminum) Review
October 13th, 2009
LaCie d2 Quadra Hard Disk 1 TB eSATA/FireWire 800/FireWire 400/USB 2.0 Desktop External Hard Drive 301442U (Aluminum) Review from RCP Bob. Where to begin here…, This is a newer version of an earlier model that is very similar (LaCie 301827U d2 Quadra 1 TB eSATA/FireWire800/FireWire400/USB 2.0 External Hard Disk). I talked to a salesman at J&R Computers and he told me the only difference is that this model has 32MB cache and the older model has 16MB cache. The older model has over 100 reviews so you may want to look there as well.
COST:
This costs more than some other external hard drives of the same capacity but there are good reasons: You are paying for the multiple interfaces (eSATA, Firewire 400, Firewire 800 with second daisy-chain port, USB 2.0) and the complete set of cables that come with it. The eSATA support is 3Gbits compared to 1.5Gbits for less expensive drives. The well-constructed case may also add some cost. I’d like to think that the included disk is of a higher quality too, but have no way to judge.
PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS:
The drive has been working fine for about a month now.
It feels VERY sturdy. It is heavier than other external drives I am familiar with.
It is only slightly warm to the touch when running. The all-metal construction with the exterior ridges seems to do a good job of keeping it cool.
It is VERY quiet. If not for the blue light I couldn’t tell that it was turned on. Even when I put my ear right next to it I can hear very little. Even when it is actively seeking it is basically silent. There is no fan.
It does make a few noises when starting up or shutting down. I THINK one of the noises I hear is the heads parking and unparking.
I am using it as a USB 2.0 device right now. I have an eSATA card on order and will update this review to let you know how that goes. UPDATE: The drive works just fine when connected via eSATA. I have not done any performance experiments.
It does have a slot in the back for one of those Kensington cable locks. I didn’t see this mentioned in the sales literature, although other external drive manufacturers make a big deal of it. There are a lot of those locks available, especially if you consider the clones. The following is probably the best: Kensington 64343 MicroSaver DS Notebook Computer Lock with Keys (PC/Mac).
Oh, yes, one more thing. The blue light reminds me of HAL in 2001 Space Odyssey, except that HAL had a red eye.
To check price or purchase LaCie d2 Quadra Hard Disk 1 TB eSATA/FireWire 800/FireWire 400/USB 2.0 Desktop External Hard Drive 301442U (Aluminum).
Related posts with LaCie d2 Quadra Hard Disk 1 TB eSATA/FireWire 800/FireWire 400/USB 2.0 Desktop External Hard Drive 301442U (Aluminum) Review
Posted in Hard Drives | 
Tags: Aluminum, Cables, D2, Daisy Chain Port, Desktop, Disk 1, Esata Card, External Hard Disk, External Hard Drive, External Hard Drives, Firewire 2, Firewire 800, Firewire Usb, Good Job, Metal Construction, Personal Observations, Port Usb, Rcp, Tb, Usb 2 0
