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LaCie Starck Mobile Hard Drive 320 GB

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Caractéristiques
Capacity320 GB
Format2.5 inches
InterfaceUSB 2.0
Rotation Speed5400 rpm
CacheN.C.
Show all specifications
Write SpeedN.C.
Read SpeedN.C.
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Pierre-Jean Alzieu
Test date: March 4, 2010
Software suite

Like most manufacturers, LaCie delivers its external hard drives with a software suite. The one on the Starck Mobile Hard Drive has the Genie Backup assistant. It doesn't do much that other suites don't: it can launch an instant or programmed backup, encrypt data with a password and so on.

Where LaCie stands out is with two levels of configuration expertise for the Genie Backup assistant: beginner and advanced. In beginner mode backup is carried out in 3 simple steps with most of the parameters automatically configured. In advanced mode you obviously have a lot more choice. So when you don't know anything about such things, you'll save yourself a headache!

LaCie called on designer Philippe Starck for the casing of its new external hard drive. The LaCie Starck Mobile has a robust 2mm thick aluminium casing which serves to radiate the drive's heat and also makes it very resistant.

To optimise portability, Starck has integrated a 12 cm USB cable that coils up inside the casing - just the right length for a laptop. For a desktop, it's too short: the drive hangs down off the computer.

Although it looks good and is robust, this drive isn't everyone's cup of tea. Compared to the competition, the LaCie Starck Mobile is one of the largest (138 x 92 x 20 mm) and heaviest (355 g). It certainly won't slip unnoticed into your pocket. You'll almost certainly need a bag for it - man bag anyone?

Average speeds
LaCie Starck Mobile Hard Drive
  Samsung S2 Portable 500 GB
USB 2.0 speeds in MB/s

LaCie have got us used to a very nice finish and high transfer rates. The LaCie Starck Mobile however only gives average speeds. Writing 10 GB of data will take around 6 min 50 seconds and retrieving it will require 5 minutes 30 seconds.
Pluses

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Irreprochable finish

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USB cable coiled inside casing

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Software suite easy to use

Minuses

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Access time: 17.2 ms

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Heavy and large: 138 x 92 x 20 mm for 350 g

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USB 2.0 only

The LaCie Starck Mobile Hard Drive is a very nice looker with an irreprochable finish. It's just a shame it's so big.
MARCHANDS
 
 
Pixmania  67.99 
Amazon.co.uk  71.99 
Amazon marketplace  73.00 
   
   
   
Compare prices

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