LaCie Rugged Mini SSD: A Robust and Power-Efficient Solution for High-Speed Data Transfer
LaCie's line of portable storage drives, particularly favored among creative professionals for their performance and design, has introduced an upgraded Rugged Mini SSD with a 20 Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 interface. This new addition aims to meet the growing demand for faster data transfer rates, offering storage capacities ranging from 500GB to 4TB. This review delves into the 2TB model's performance and value, emphasizing how it stands out from similar products.
Growth and Evolution of External Storage Devices
External storage devices have seen significant improvements in capacity and speed over the last decade, thanks to advancements in flash technology and faster host interfaces like Thunderbolt 3 and USB 3.x. The palm-sized flash-based storage devices are now capable of delivering speeds beyond 3GBps. However, for mass-market devices, USB remains the standard. USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (20 Gbps) has been gaining traction, offering a cost-effective solution for high-speed external drives.
Segmenting the Market: Entry-Level to Premium
The market for external SSDs is segmented into entry-level, mid-range, and premium categories based on the choice of internal components. The LaCie Rugged Mini SSD falls into the mid-range category, marketed as an eco-friendly drive with recyclable packaging and post-recycled content. It comes with a 20 Gbps / 240W Type-C cable and a quick-start guide.
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Design and Durability
The Rugged Mini SSD maintains LaCie's iconic design with an orange-colored rubber bumper surrounding a metal enclosure with plastic end-caps, contributing to its IP54 rating and ruggedness. It's built to withstand falls of up to 3 meters and can endure being driven over by a car. The unit's disassembly reveals a small board snugly held in a plastic frame, ensuring the components remain secure and tight.
Performance Analysis and Internal Capabilities
The LaCie Rugged Mini SSD supports full S.M.A.R.T passthrough and TRIM, essential for maintaining consistent performance over the drive's lifetime. However, certain parameters like total NAND writes and lifespan indications may require firmware adjustments. In comparison with similar products like the Crucial X10 Pro, the differences in performance primarily hinge on firmware configuration and the effectiveness of the thermal solution.
Testbed Setup and Evaluation Methodology
The evaluation of the LaCie Rugged Mini SSD was conducted using the Quartz Canyon NUC configured with 2x 16GB DDR4-2667 ECC SODIMMs and a PCIe 3.0 x4 NVMe SSD. The testbed's flexibility allowed for the addition of various add-in cards, including Silverstone's SST-ECU06 for testing USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 devices. The evaluation scheme took into account multiple workloads reflective of typical usage scenarios, including high bit-rate 4K and emerging 8K video content, as well as large game install sizes.
Conclusion: LaCie Rugged Mini SSD in the High-Speed Data Transfer Arena
The LaCie Rugged Mini SSD, with its 20 Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 interface and robust design, offers a compelling solution for those seeking a durable and efficient portable storage device. While it represents the mid-range market segment, its performance, especially in terms of power efficiency and data transfer speeds, positions it as a strong contender among similar offerings. As users continue to demand more from their external storage in terms of speed and capacity, the LaCie Rugged Mini SSD stands ready to meet these needs while maintaining the brand's reputation for quality and design.
