LaCie 500 GB Big Disk External Hard Drive with USB 2.0 Interface ( 300964U )

by LaCie

Product Details

• Item Weight: 5.5 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 8 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000AZE9JI
• Item model number: 300964U
• Average Customer Review: 1.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: August 20, 2005

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The most powerful Hi-Speed USB 2.0 hard drive in a portable 5.25" 1U form factor, the LaCie Big Disk is designed for low-cost storage expansion and is ideal for backing up several workstations with enormous capacities up to 500GB. With USB universal connectivity and no software to configure, this plug & play drive delivers high performance with maximum convenience. Easily share and exchange among multiple workstations for archiving without clogging the network. Its durable d2 body has been uniquely designed to naturally dissipate heat (500GB drive is fanless), allowing for the quietest possible operation.

Product Description

The most powerful Hi-Speed USB 2.0 hard drive in a portable 5.25"" 1U form factor, the LaCie Big Disk is designed for low-cost storage expansion and is ideal for backing up several workstations with enormous capacities up to 500GB. With USB universal connectivity and no software to configure, this plug & play drive delivers high performance with maximum convenience. Easily share and exchange among multiple workstations for archiving without clogging the network. Its durable d2 body has been uniquely designed to naturally dissipate heat (500GB and 600GB drives are fanless) and its ""smart fan"" technology (in the 1TB drive) allows for the quietest possible operation. Includes Big Disk, Hi-Speed USB 2.0 cable; external power supply; drive stand for upright configuration; LaCie Storage Utilities CD-ROM: Quick Install Guide, Silverlining Pro Utilities for Mac OS 9, SilverKeeper software for Mac and 1-Click Backup Software for PC/Mac.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Nice drive, hobbled by poor design, May 9, 2006

By 

JKristl (Acton, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: LaCie 500 GB Big Disk External Hard Drive with USB 2.0 Interface ( 300964U ) (Personal Computers)

I have used a few of these drives for about a year. While they provide a lot of storage for the money, they have proven unreliable and very prone to data loss and crashes. Files get corrupted or disappear at random intervals. It appears to be due to poor cooling; they overheat after an hour or two of use and then become erratic, even when operated in well-ventilated and open areas. The only solution to keeping semi-reliable operation is installation of a large external fan blowing directly on the drives. While this works, it is a terrible kludge and indicates very poor product design. Mr Porsche may design fine cars but he apparently has no ability to design reliable computer peripherals.

Similar overheating and unreliability problems plague the 1 tb drives sold by LaCie.

The drives also do not spin down after a period of inactivity as do most other competing drives.

If you want durable, reliable storage I recommend you avoid these drives and go with other manufacturers.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing and at a high price, May 29, 2006

By 

consumer of goods - See all my reviews

This review is from: LaCie 500 GB Big Disk External Hard Drive with USB 2.0 Interface ( 300964U ) (Personal Computers)

Paid about $420 USD for a lacie drive a little over a year ago. While it was reliable (until about 10 months into ownership) it was fine, then I had recurring problems. I won't be buying another Lacie drive.

It's fast, but it failed very early in its life for a 'superior' (read "expensive") brand.

Drives will fail, it's a fact of life. Might as well buy 2 cheaper drives and backup one to another.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars 4 out of 4 drives failed, September 9, 2006

By 

Sqeaky (Chicago, Illinois) - See all my reviews

This review is from: LaCie 500 GB Big Disk External Hard Drive with USB 2.0 Interface ( 300964U ) (Personal Computers)

My company bought 4 of these drives. Within a year all 4 were having read/write errors or completely dead. When we complained to Lacie they said we were out of warrantee and didn't offer any help at all, not even an apology.

A friend of mine who had 3 Lacie drives had 2 of the 3 fail.

Stay away from Lacie. I will never buy anything again from this company, I'm surprised they are still in business.