The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    LaCie Little Disk 500GB USB 2.0 Portable Hard Drive

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by iaTa, Oct 17, 2008.

  1. iaTa

    iaTa Do Not Feed

    Reputations:
    1,328
    Messages:
    2,675
    Likes Received:
    197
    Trophy Points:
    81
    I've found a really good deal on the above external drive. Does anyone know what drive is inside them?

    Specs:

    http://www.lacie.com/uk/products/product.htm?pid=11104

    Capacity : 500 GB
    Interface : Hi-Speed USB 2.0 (USB 1.1 compatible)
    Rotational Speed (rpm) : 5400 or greater
    Cache : 8MB or greater
    Interface Transfer Rate : up to 480Mbits/s
    Burst Transfer Rate : up to 30-35MB/s
    Size : 81 x 129 x 18 mm / 3.19 x 5.08 x .71 in.
    Weight : 195 g / 6.88 oz

    Given the height of 18mm I guess it's a 12.5mm thick Hitachi.

    What do you guys think?
     
    iaTa, Oct 17, 2008
    #1
  2. xepherys

    xepherys Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    57
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Well, with a Rot.Spd. of "5400 or greater" I would imagine they may not always use the same model. LaCie used to use Seagate drives I believe, but that was a LONG time ago.
     
    xepherys, Oct 17, 2008
    #2
  3. iaTa

    iaTa Do Not Feed

    Reputations:
    1,328
    Messages:
    2,675
    Likes Received:
    197
    Trophy Points:
    81
    Yeah that's a good point. I've just noticed the 250GB and 320GB variants are also 18mm thick and I don't know of any 12.5mm high drives in those sizes. Going on that do you think the inside of the cases are designed for 9.5mm drives? 18mm seems quite thick though. Hmmmm...

    Maybe I should just buy one and see for myself.
     
    iaTa, Oct 17, 2008
    #3
  4. xepherys

    xepherys Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    57
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Who knows. With a few notable exceptions, LaCie is usually quite picky about their quality control. I've only owned one of their drives in the past, but I've seen them and known them to be used often.
     
    xepherys, Oct 20, 2008
    #4
  5. iaTa

    iaTa Do Not Feed

    Reputations:
    1,328
    Messages:
    2,675
    Likes Received:
    197
    Trophy Points:
    81
    Well even Seagate's own 500GB USB portable drive currently uses the Samsung 2.5" drive inside so I doubt these are Seagates. It can't be the Fujitsu as their 500GB drive is only 4200 RPM. My money is on the Samsung or Hitachi. Thing is if it's the WD Blue 500GB it's a bargain find!

    I am tempted to get one and see but if they are tricky to get in to and it turns out to be a drive I don't want (i.e. a 12.5mm Hitachi or another Samsung) I wont be able to send it back.
     
    iaTa, Oct 20, 2008
    #5