LaCie double the speed of PocketDrives.

LaCie have introduced their next generation PocketDrive hard disks, offering a transfer rate that can reach 35Mb/sec when using the FireWire interface. The new series of PocketDrive is specifically designed to meet the needs of video, music and imaging professionals as well as the mobile user.

This transfer rate is a result of LaCies in-house developments using new FireWire to IDE bridges coupled with a high-performance ATA 100 disks. Lacie claim the 35Mb per second transfer rate is twice as high as traditional FireWire disks.

"PocketDrives are increasingly used to back up computers and laptops and are ideal for storing, exchanging and working on large files such as digital video. commented George Leptos, UK Branch Manager. "Through the FireWire port these new drives can backup at a rate of 1.2GB per minute, over 5 times faster than a tape back up. In addition the new LaCie PocketDrive features the brand new Fluid Dynamic Bearing (FDB) motor technology that reduces the noise level of the drives by 20% making it one of the quietest external drives on the market."

Measuring only 3.5x5.75" and weighing less than a pound, LaCie's PocketDrives are not only some of the worlds smallest and fastest hard drives, but also offer both Universal Serial Bus (USB) and FireWire (IEEE 1394) support"

LaCie are also expanding the range soon with a 48Gb PocketDrive, which can store more than four hours of DV video and over 70 CD-Audio images.

Designed for the road
The PocketDrive draws power directly from the computer when used with the FireWire interface (an A/C adapter is supplied for use with USB or I-Link) with the extra protective feature of a silicon bumper, the PocketDrive is designed to be carried around on a day-to-day basis. The groove around the edge also helps to keep cables tidy.

The LaCie drives are hot-pluggable whichever interface is chosen: they can be removed or swapped without having to shutdown or reboot the system. The drives mount automatically as soon as they are connected to any Macintosh (Mac OS 8.6, 9.x, Mac OS X) or PC (Windows98SE, 2000 & Millennium).

Users can share the contents of the entire drive with others, using it as a data-shuttle. For instance data can quickly be transferred from laptop to desktop and vice versa. In case of a computer breakdown or theft, the drive can be plugged into any other computer and the work resumed in minutes. The capacity and performance of the new LaCie PocketDrives also make them ideal for full backups of internal drives.

Availability and Pricing
Available in August through LaCie authorised resellers and mail order partners, the LaCie PocketDrives have SRPs of:

LaCie PocketDrive 10Gb: 169 excl VAT
LaCie PocketDrive 20Gb: 249 excl VAT
LaCie PocketDrive 30Gb: 339 excl VAT
LaCie PocketDrive 48Gb: TBC

Prices include cables, and LaCie's Silverlining Pro drive utility software for Mac OS and Silverlining 98 for Windows.