Luckywhole

Lacie’s Rugged RAID Pro is an external portable RAID-enabled HDD that’s primarily aimed at photo and video editors who often find themselves on-the-go. Donning an unmistakable bright orange shock-resistant rubber sleeve, it fits right in with the Seagate-owned company’s other storage-centric options.

On paper, the Lacie Rugged RAID Pro won’t light up the scoreboards. Even in the RAID 0 performance mode, it features a rather pedestrian 250 MB/s max read speed. But where the drive lacks in speed, it makes up for in the sheer amount of storage offered — 4TB — stuffed inside a rugged chassis. It also comes with a feature that sets it apart from other bus-powered external drives on the market: a built-in UHS-II SD Card reader — extremely handy for MacBook Pro users.

Does the Lacie Rugged RAID offer enough to make it worthy of consideration? Have a look at our hands-on video review for the details.

This page contains information about installing the latest Lacie Portable DVD±RW (Mac) driver downloads using the Lacie Driver Update Tool. Lacie Portable DVD±RW (Mac) drivers are tiny programs that enable your CD-DVD Drive hardware to communicate with your operating system software.

Specifications

• 4TB RAID storage
• Pre-configured with RAID 0
• RAID 1 or JBOD configurations optional
• 250MB/s read speeds (RAID 0)
• Protective aluminum outer shell
• Drop, shock, crush, dust, and water resistant
• Bus-powered USB-C connectivity
• UHS-II SD Card reader with quick import
• Power supply with region plug attachments
• IP54 dust and water resistant cover
• Extra dust/water cover included
• Included heavy duty orange USB-C to USB-C cable
• Included USB-C to USB A cable

If you’ve used drives from Lacie’s rugged series before, you’ll notice that the company has omitted its integrated wraparound cable in favor of a detachable USB-C cable. This design decision has pluses and minuses. The upside is that users can easily swap out cables, and even utilize a legacy-friendly USB-C to USB-A cable (included) if necessary. That said, some users will miss the convenience of the cable integration, which means you’ll always have to remember to bring your cable with you when on-the-go.

Although the drive is capable of being bus-powered via USB, Lacie also includes a power adapter with various region plug attachments for powering the drive in case the computer’s bus doesn’t provide enough juice. However, for most Mac users, bus power via a USB-C connection should be a non-issue.

Lacie suggests installing its RAID Manager app and its Toolkit app for maintaining the Rugged RAID drive. Both of these apps feature macOS versions that can be downloaded from the company’s website.

Out of the box, the Rugged RAID Pro is formatted as ExFat for easy Windows and Mac compatibility. For Mac users, the Lacie Toolkit app suggests formatting the drive as HFS+, which I did before testing.

The Toolkit app comes with two primary functions: the ability to mirror specific folders stored on your Mac’s internal drive, and a quick import option for automatically copying SD Cards as soon as they are inserted into the drive.

Overall I found the Toolkit app to be a mixed bag. Some of the automatic imports completed successfully, but on more than one occasion, automatic imports failed. I also noticed that imports via Toolkit could be much slower than manually dragging and dropping the entire SD Card to the Lacie Rugged RAID Pro. Based on this experience, I recommend avoiding the Toolkit automation, and managing SD Card backups manually.

Because the drive lacks any hardware-based option for switching between RAID types, you’ll need to install the RAID Manager app if you wish to switch out of the default RAID 0 configuration. RAID Manager lets you easily switch to a more data secure RAID 1 config or even a JBOD config for utilizing the two internal hard drives as separate 2TB entities. Of course, RAID 1 or JBOD lack striping, which significantly reduces the read performance of the unit. For video workflows, such a change may have a real world effect on performance.

Since a reconfiguration will cause all device data to be deleted, Lacie built in a hardware confirmation switch that requires users to press a button on the front of the drive using a paperclip to confirm the configuration change. It’s an appreciated protection that just might save your data from accidental deletion.

To reach the advertised read performance of 250 MB/s, you’ll need to keep the drive configured as RAID 0. Speed tests with both Blackmagic Disk Speed Test and QuickBench confirm that the drive lives up to its billing. 250 MB/s is far from blazing fast, especially when you have external SSDs with USB 3.1 Gen 2 I/O interfaces, but it’s still fast enough for most 4K workflows using ProRes 422 HQ.

As you will see, RAID 1 configuration, which mirrors data between both internal drives to help keep your data safe, is the slowest of the three configurations. RAID 1 will also reduce the amount of available storage from 4TB to 2TB.

JBOD performance isn’t much better than RAID 1, but you don’t lose data to drive mirroring. RAID 1 configures each internal hard drive as two separate disks. There is no mirroring performed with a JBOD configuration, but the probability of failure isn’t as high as it is with RAID 0.

No surprises here. A decision must be made by the user to prioritize speed vs the chance that one of the drives in a RAID 0 configuration may fail. Although I’ve had good experiences with RAID 0 setups over the years, having never experienced a catastrophic failure resulting in data loss, I’m more willing to use such a configuration with SSDs, which feature no moving parts. Mechanical spinning disks are more prone to failure, which, in the case of RAID 0, would cause data loss across the whole array.

It’s sort of a catch 22, because the drive in a RAID 1 or JBOD configuration won’t be fast enough for certain video workflows. In the end you’ll have to balance the risk versus reward aspect of the drive. The good news is that Lacie is offering a three-year limited warranty with the Rugged RAID Pro, and also offers three years of rescue data recovery services with your purchase.

The most appreciated feature about this drive is its built-in SD Card reader with automatic card backup ability. If you’re constantly filling up SD Cards, then the Rugged RAID Pro, if nothing else, can be an awesome backup solution for your cards. If you’re not editing video directly off the drive, then it doesn’t really matter how slow RAID 1 is if you’re using it primarily for backups.

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If you’re a MacBook user, then the SD Card reader is a great feature, because it eliminates the need to carry around a dedicated SD Card dongle. The SD Card Reader on the Rugged RAID Pro is also UHS-II enabled, allowing for faster data transmission with modern SD Cards like Sony’s G-Series lineup.

The other big appeal of the drive is its sheer ruggedness. Lacie says that the Rugged RAID Pro can withstand being run over by a 1-ton car, and is protected from limited dust ingress and water spray from any direction. If you’re a photographer or videographer that’s constantly out shooting in the elements, then the Lacie Rugged RAID Pro, available from B&H and from Amazon, may be a viable solution for your workflow.

The main downside of the Rugged RAID, besides the obvious fact that it’s still using two spinning mechanical disks, is that the Toolkit software aimed at automating the SD Card backup process can be slow and finicky. You’d be better off manually managing SD Card backups instead of trying to rely on the automated software.

In a world of speedy external SSDs, the Rugged RAID Pro is far from the fastest drive on the block, but it has appealing qualities. Its ruggedness, storage space, and inclusion of a fast SD Card reader are all features that I really like as a video and photo shooter. Does the idea of having a built in SD Card reader on an external USB-C-equipped drive appeal to you? Sound off in the comments with your thoughts.

Other external drives we’ve reviewed

When scouting out external drives, there is a lot to consider. Speed, durability, size, and so much more. We’ve found (and tested) the best HDDs and SSDs for your Mac or PC.

We will break it all down, but to check out the drives in depth, check out our hands-on video.

Before picking a drive, you need to know what it will be used for most, and which aspects could be most important. Let’s take a look at some of the some of the biggest features you should consider.

SSD vs HDD

SSD, or solid state drives, have seen a huge surge in popularity. They have no moving parts, compared to hard drive disks (HDDs) that actually have spinning platters on the inside.

SSDs have a tendency to be more durable because of the lack of moving parts, but their storage size can be greatly inferior to HDDs unless you are willing to pay a hefty premium.

SSDs are also significantly faster than traditional hard drives.

I/O

Whether your drive connects over Micro USB, USB-C, or Thunderbolt 3, it really depends on what ports your computer has, as well as how important speed is.

Many newer drives work over USB-C, and include both a USB-C to USB-C cable and a USB-C to USB-A cable to work with almost any computer.

Thunderbolt 3 is the newest, and the fastest of the I/O we look at, though it is also the most expensive.

RAID

RAID options are gaining some steam as of late. There are several different types of RAID drives, though the most popular in our roundup is RAID 0.

If an enclosure has two disks on the inside, it reads and writes to them simultaneously, effectively almost doubling the speeds. So a drive that uses RAID 0 will have fast speeds, and an effective size of both of the disks combined together.

Now that we’ve touched on some of the criteria we will be looking at, let’s dig in.

Western Digital My Passport SSD

The Western Digital My Passport is going to be a popular option, if not solely for the fact it is one of the most widely available on our list.

The new version works over USB-C, and they include an adapter in the box to make it backward compatible with older machines as well.

It is an SSD so it definitely has some speed, though the exterior definitely as a propensity to pick up fingerprints.

• Small, two-tone design
• SSD
• Exterior can show fingerprints easily
• USB-C cable and adapter
• It is available in capacities from 256GB to 1TB, ranging $99 to $296.

OWC Envoy

OWC, known for their fantastic range of storage options, has a unique product in the Envoy.

You can buy the envoy pre-loaded with storage already inside, or you can buy an upgrade kit for your Mac (review). They let you upgrade the internal storage on your Mac, then put the old SSD into a sleek aluminum enclosure.

Right now, they don’t support USB-C out of the box, but you could always find a replacement cable to make it happen.

If you opt for the upgrade kit, just make sure you find the right model, and be sure that you can handle a bit of work on your Mac.

• Available standalone, or as upgrade kit
• Solid aluminum enclosure
• There is a range available on the OWC website, including the new Pro model for $279.

Samsung T5

We’d be remiss if we didn’t include the Samsung T5 on our list. The striking color aside, these are tiny, fast, and incredibly popular.

They work easily over USB-C, with a backup USB-A cable included in the box.

While they are quite fast, they still aren’t as fast as some of the others on our list.

• Great look and feel
• USB-C with USB-A included as well
• Internal Samsung V-NAND flash memory is fast
• Available from 250GB to 2TB for $127 to $738 on Amazon

Satechi USB-C Enclosure

More have been available lately, but if you have some extra drives lying around, or simply looking to save a little, you can create your own USB-C drive by using this enclosure from Satechi.

It is all metal and is extremely easy to assemble.

Speed is dependent on if you are using an SSD or HDD inside, but regardless it works over USB-C for the latest computers.

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• Aluminum exterior
• Easy to put together
• Use your own drive
• Comes in space grey, silver, or gold
• Available on Amazon for $34.99

Seagate Ultra Slim+

Seagate, another of the big names in storage, recommended its Ultra Slim+ external drive.

It really is quite thin and uses a traditional HDD on the inside. The outside has a neat pebbled texture that looks quite modern, with a subtle logo on the bottom right.

This model has yet to be updated for USB-C, but like the others, you can always supply your own cable. Because it does use an HDD, it is immensely more affordable. In fact, you can get the 2TB model for only $79.

• HDD inside
• Pebbled texture in silver or gold
• Affordable

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G|Drive R-Series SSD

G|Drive has always been known as a more premium brand. I felt that as soon as I started testing the R-Series SSD. It has this fantastic look to it with an electric blue coloring hidden behind the grate of matte black on the surface.

The “R” in R-series must stand for rugged as this thing is tough. It has an IP67 water resistance rating, can withstand 1000lbs of force, and should survive drops up to 3 meters.

It is also super fast, with a top speed of 560MB/s. That is above the Samsung T5 top speed of 540MB/s.

• Fast SSD
• Super rugged and water resistant
• Great look and feel
• 5-year warranty
• Available as a 500GB, 1TB, or 2TB drive for $179, $349, or $685

Oyen Digital Raid Enclosure

The Oyen Digital enclosure is similar to the Satechi one we looked at before, but it allows you to put your drives in a RAID formation. There are several different RAID options available, but if you choose RAID 0, you can get quite fast speeds for a more affordable price.

Instead of having to buy a 1TB SSD, you could buy two 500GB SSDs at a much cheaper price and put them in this enclosure. The hardware RAID configurator will merge those into a single disk, with incredible performance.

The enclosure, while on the large size, is definitely solid. It is made out of aluminum and is easy to set up.

• An affordable way to create a super fast SSD
• Great build quality
• Holds two SSDs (or HDDs)
• Supports USB-C
• Available on Amazon for $99

Crucial SSD

If you are looking at the Satechi or Oyen Digital enclosure, there are lots of disks to consider. It really is up to you, and you may opt for some drives you have lying around.

When I was setting mine up, I used Crucial SSDs. I found them to be reliable and fast without being too expensive.

• Build your own drives
• Affordable and fast
• You can get them on Amazon from 256GB to 2TB for $80-$499

Glyph Raid Atom SSD

Glyph has the proud honor of being the fastest portable SSD on our list. Inside, it actually has two blocks of V-NAND storage configured in RAID-0 formation, giving you the entire usable capacity, and crazy fast speeds.

This little guy can reach top speeds of 770 MB/s, significantly above the 560 MB/s that we saw with other SSDs on our list.

It is quite rugged too, with an anti-slip sleeve around its aluminum body. It also supports USB-C for the latest Macs and PCs.

If speed is of the utmost importance, the Glyph is your go-to.

• Blazing fast 770MB/s speeds
• Anti-slip sleeve
• USB-C

LaCie Porsche Design

LaCie, the premium brand by Seagate, has some of my favorite drives. This Porsche Design USB-C drive is quite simple. It is thin, great looking, and supports USB-C.

There aren’t a lof of bells and whistles, but it does what it is meant to do well.

It looks really great next to any Mac.

• Porsche Design in gold, rose gold, and silver
• Chromed edges
• USB-C support
• Available in 1TB or 2TB configs for $69 and $89 on Amazon

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CalDigit Tuff

The Tuff from CalDigit is one of our most durable drives on the list. It comes in its own carrying case, which is also usable for labeling and storing additional drives.

The aluminum drive has a bright neon-green bumper around the outside, meant to withstand hefty drops. The sealed ports mean it is dust and water resistant as well, able to be submerged for up to 30 minutes in 1 meter of water.

There are SSD and HDD versions available, all supporting USB-C.

• Super rugged design
• Additional carrying case
• Water, dust, and shock resistant
• You can find the 2TB version available in a wide variety of colors on Amazon for $179

LaCie Rugged

The LaCie Rugged series has been one of my old standbys for years. I actually have amassed a collection of about a half dozen of these life-preserver looking drives.

Over the years, there have been many different forms, some building the cable in, others being replaceable. The USB-C version has a replaceable cord, which is handy because of it ever fails you don’t need to replace the whole thing.

The Rugged drives come in SSD or HDD configurations in many different sizes.

• Drop, crush, and rain resistant
• USB-C support
• Unique design
• Designed by Neil Poulton
• Available in 1, 2, and 4TB configs from $79 to $169

LaCie 2Big Thunderbolt 3

The LaCie 2Big Thunderbolt 3 drive is what I currently use when editing all of my videos (review). It has an insane 20TB capacity and includes a hub and charging, all over Thunderbolt 3.

On the front is a USB-A port, a CompactFlash card reader, and an SD card reader. Around back, there is an additional Thunderbolt 3 port for daisy chaining, a DisplayPort, and a USB-C port.

It has two drive bays that you can actually remove to replace/upgrade the internal drives. This is really useful in a pro environment.

• Works as a hub, as well as storage
• Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C
• Replaceable drives
• RAID performance
• Storage from 8TB to 20TB
• Prices on Amazon range $597 to $1,200 depending on storage

CalDigit AV Pro 2

The CalDigit AV Pro 2 is slightly similar to the LaCie 2Big Dock. It acts as a hub for a pair of USB ports around the back, and the drive is easily swappable. They’ve also made efforts to optimize the data to and from your computer, making it quicker than other drives.

As an added bonus, it works both vertically, as well as horizontally.

Check out our full review for more info on the AV Pro 2.

• Supports USB 3.0 or USB-C
• Vertical or horizontal orientation
• Swappable drive bays
• USB hub built-in
• 30w passthrough charging power
• Available in 1TB to 6TB configs running you $199 to $399 on Amazon

OWC Thunderblade V4

The all-around fastest drive in our lineup is the OWC Thunderblade V4. This Thunderbolt 3 equipped solid state drive is an absolute beast. Be sure to check out our full review for the most details.

It is incredibly well made, works solely over Thunderbolt 3, and even includes its own rugged carrying case.

When testing this drive, I got 2067MB/s write speed, and 1722MB/s read speed. That is absolutely insane, and unlike anything else in this roundup.

OWC makes an effort to increase the portability of this drive, but it does still require external power.

Aside from the TB3 port to connect to your computer, there is a second one to daisy chain additional Thunderblades or other TB3 accessories.

• Currently the world’s fastest external drive
• Extra Thunderbolt 3 port for daisy chaining
• Carrying case included
• Strong, heat dissipating metal body
• You can find it on OWC’s website in 1, 2, 4, 8TB configurations costing you $1,200 to $4,999

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Wrapping it up

Hopefully, whether you are looking for speed, design, capacity, or durability, you’ve found something useful in this roundup.

It can be overwhelming trying to pick the best drive, and I have personally tested and relied on every drive in this list. Working with video as a professional consumes endless amounts of storage, and that is something I take quite seriously in my workflow.

Let me know down in the comments which option works best for you, or if we didn’t include your favorite.