USB 3.0 Speed Now with USB 3.0 and UAS compatibility, the LaCie 2big Quadra has two 7200rpm professional hard disks preconfigured in RAID 0 that provide up to 210MB/s transfer speed on PCs or late-model Macs. The hardware RAID controller ensures sustained performance and prevents dropped frames. It’s more than twice as fast as FireWire 800 and up to six times the speed of USB 2.0. Connectivity and Compatibility With its multiple interfaces, the LaCie 2big Quadra is compatible with almost any Mac or PC. With FireWire 800, import your data from your old computer even faster, if your old computer is compatible. You can even daisy chain older external storage devices or A/V peripherals in order to import data directly. Thanks to backwards compatibility with USB 2.0 and FireWire 400, you can connect the LaCie 2big Quadra to almost any standard computer of any era. Data Protection The LaCie 2big Quadra features RAID 1 and hot-swappable disks, so your data is kept safe even if a drive fails. Simply swap in a new disk without switching off the device. You also won’t lose any data if, during a file transfer, someone trips over the interface or power cable. The LaCie 2big Quadra’s cable management system keeps all cables safely connected to the enclosure. This product is also a complete workstation backup solution. It includes professional backup software that lets you perform file-level and even system-level backup and restore. So you can create a full system backup that lets you boot your Mac directly from the product. It’s also Time Machine and Windows 7 Backup compatible. It even lets you prevent physical theft thanks to Kensington lock compatibility. Dual Cooling System LaCie’s completely redesigned cooling system ensures long-term reliability by preventing overheating. The system consists of three key components: a heat-dissipating aluminum casing, a redesigned fan, and jumbo heat exhausts. For the enclosure, its solid-aluminum heat sink design provides 60% more surface area than flat designs, diverting and dissipating heat more efficiently. Its new magnetic levitation fan generates zero vibration or friction. It pulls heat away from the internal components while being 50% quieter than previous generations. The fan is also thermo-regulated, so it controls its speed according to the ambient temperature. This means it works more efficiently, prolonging its lifespan and generating less noise. The 2big Quadra has more and larger air holes to facilitate airflow and reduce noise. Convenience With its space-saving design, you can stand it alone vertically and reduce its footprint on your desktop, or neatly stack it with the LaCie d2 Desk Rack or standard 19″ Rackmount Kit. Busy professionals can also set up email alerts, so they can monitor their device before potential problems escalate. They’ll know, for example, that the ambient temperature in the room is too high before it causes problems. Even changing the RAID mode is convenient thanks to two-step Easy RAID configuration. Eco Mode The LaCie 2big Quadra also features an Eco mode that puts the hard disks to sleep after a period of inactivity. This prevents overheating and controls power usage.