Review LaCie rugged 500GB eSata / USB 2.0

By Tobias Winkler, 06/15/2010

External Speeder II.

The in the meantime widely distributed eSATA interface makes a fast data transfer possible and can still keep up with the new standard, USB 3.0, in terms of external 2.5" hard disks. Our review shows just how well.

We have the alternative with eSATA and USB 2.0 as the third candidate of LaCie's series in review. Also equipped with a fast 7200 rpm, 500GB hard disk, it offers good preconditions to push data around on the go. The rugged series' case, which is supposed to survive drops of 2 meters due to its bumpers and aluminum construction and comply with the Mil STD-810F standard, has remained untouched. We have had the LaCie rugged Safe and the LaCie rugged USB 3.0 in review previously.

Performance

LaCie has treated its hard disk to a powered eSATA. It can take over the device's power requirement. That is if there is a matching counterpart on the notebook or PC. These are still quite rare and we still have to wait and see how well this solution can stand up to USB 3.0. If you don't have an eSATA port, you can alternately use a supply via USB cable. Disadvantage: You have to cables in use.

A Seagate ST9500420AS is used for the mass memory in the latest model. It has, like the Hitachi HTS725050A9A364 built into the LaCie rugged 3.0, a 16 MB cache. The performance data are very similar despite different interfaces and hard disk models. The rates only vary marginally with an average of 82.6 MB/s and maximum of 103 MB/s. We achieved slightly more than 29 MB/s connected to the USB 2.0 port. The test device achieved 31.8 MB/s under Mac OS X Snow Leopard.

You can find comparison data for the benchmarks of various HDDs and SSDs in our corresponding database.

Verdict

A fast external 2.5" eSATA hard disk in a resistant case. Above that, you get an interface that can be used everywhere, even on a Mac, via USB 2.0. A disadvantage is merely the scarce availability of the power over eSATA technology on notebooks, which would make a comfortable single-cabled use possible. But that isn't the device's blame.

Technical Date / Measuring Results

LaCie rugged 500 GB eSata/USB 2.0
Capacity	500 GB (gross)
Weight	298g
Interfaces	1x eSata, 1x USB 2.0
	1x power socket
Software	LaCie Backup Assistant
Transfer rates	Windows 7 Professional 64 bit
USB 2.0	29,1 MB/s (read)
eSata	82,6 MB/s (read)
USB 2.0 (MacOsX)	31,8 MB/s (read)
System Noise	< 30 dB(A)
Warranty	2 years
Price (street)	Ca. 120.00 euro plus shipping