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Reviews

LaCie d2 Quadra

Drive size (GB): 500 • Supported Interface(s): External SATA-150, USB 2.0, FireWire 800/400 • Speed (RPM): 7200 • Buffer Size (MB): 16 • Cost per Gigabyte: $0.4 • Price When Reviewed: $200
LaCie d2 Quadra (Front)
LaCie d2 Quadra (Front)
81.3 Very Good
Last updated
July 31, 2008
Test Center
Pros
  • Four data interfaces
  • Fast performance
Cons
  • Slight price premium
Most Recent Reviews

User Reviews From PriceGrabber
4 Very Good
Reviewed by: Anonymous

Updated: 09-Mar-08

Strengths: Works great and flawlessly... for the first year.

Weaknesses: Seems to come with a 367 day self-destruct.

Overall Evaluation: Actually... it seems that it is just the power supply module that goes bad.There are two powers that come from it... a 5 volt line, and a 12 volt line... that dies and drops to about 4 volts. This would be the line that drives the spin. No spin... no HD!!So AFTER LaCie sends you another one (for free)... be sure to put a shut off switch on the plug end, when not in use.Seems the heat from it always being plugged in kills them.

5 Superior
Reviewed by: fymbscu

Updated: 25-Feb-08

Strengths: Solid construction; plug & play for Mac; true power switch; quad interface for longevity; quiet, only invoking fan when needed. Priced competitively; 3 year warranty.

Weaknesses: Form factor not consistent with other peripherals; Needs second FW400 port in my opinion; Won't work as an alternate boot drive directly from Mac OS 9.

Overall Evaluation: All in all I am very satisfied with this drive. 500GB is ample space. Bought to replace a failing 200GB Maxtor. The competition has gone to "auto-sensing" technology so their drives have no true power-on switch. What a mistake! And only scant acknowledgement of the Mac platform at that. LaCie shows real leadership by providing a three-way power switch (On or Auto, at the users option) in a drive targeted at Macs first. I have partitioned the drive and can boot up from it with an alternate OS. Competition left in the dust. This is such a transitional period in computer advances that backwards compatibility and forward- thinking versatility are really desirable and LaCie provides it in spades with this drive. Been running the drive since late November without a hitch.

5 Superior
Reviewed by: nfann78

Updated: 21-Dec-07

Strengths: Large number of ports; quality construction

Weaknesses: A little noisy

Overall Evaluation: I'm very happy with this purchase, but I was a little surprised by how much noisier the drive is than my iMac. I think this problem will be easily solved by getting a longer firewire cord and moving it further from my computer.

4 Very Good
Reviewed by: mwnw2007

Updated: 20-Dec-07

Strengths: Quite, Easy set up for iMac,Comes with all cables,FAST

Weaknesses: none yet

Overall Evaluation: Just picked this up for new iMac. Set up was a breeze including partioning for Time Machine, iPhoto, iTunes. It match's pretty well with the aluminum iMacs and you can stand up or lie down, also rack mountable with other LaCie drives as your library expands. Bottom line wanted a good drive that was fast and reliable, i think this fits the bill.

4 Very Good
Reviewed by: JeffreyD

Updated: 17-Dec-07

Strengths: Quad interface! Solid metal housing (heavy) and base. Fan is nearly silent (had to listen carefully).

Weaknesses: No SATA 2 interface. Some noises. Heavy, random drive access causes a soft clicking or buzz. Drive has a quiet, very high-pitched whine which is normal, but annoying to my sensitive ears.

Overall Evaluation: Speedy, versatile and solid. This drive performs well, and connects to any interface I need. I only wish the ESATA port had SATA 2 support, like my MyBook Studio drive. This drive is much hardier than the MyBook though.My d2 Quadra contains a Seagate ST3500630AS drive.The lack of a SATA 2 interface means the top speed of this drive is nearly the same as Firewire 800.ESATA 1 BenchmarksTransfer Rate Minimum : 39.1 MB/secTransfer Rate Maximum : 78.8 MB/secTransfer Rate Average : 64.9 MB/secAccess Time : 13.2 msBurst Rate : 103.2 MB/secCPU Usage : 1.7%Firewire 800 BenchmarksTransfer Rate Minimum : 39.1 MB/secTransfer Rate Maximum : 73.7 MB/secTransfer Rate Average : 63.7 MB/secAccess Time : 13.3 msBurst Rate : 64.8 MB/secCPU Usage : 3.0%Firewire 400 BenchmarksTransfer Rate Minimum : 24.8 MB/secTransfer Rate Maximum : 26.1 MB/secTransfer Rate Average : 25.9 MB/secAccess Time : 13.3 msBurst Rate : 23.9 ...

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