Tech Tuesday: LaCie's 2big Dual-Disk RAID Delivers Fast (and Quiet) 4K Storage

June 10, 2014

By Laura Brauer

Capacity and speed are the two key attributes for an optimized workflow, especially with 4K gaining traction among videographers, and LaCie’s re-engineered 2big Dual-Disk RAID storage solution delivers on both counts. With transfer speeds of up to 420MB/s (when connected to a Mac via Thunderbolt 2), LaCie claims this is the fastest dual-disk RAID on the market.2big_TBT2_front-backPumping all that data through the pipeline can generate a lot of heat—not to mention there’s the constant (and annoying) sound of a cooling fan—but since the 2big has 500 percent increased airflow and a quiet, thermoregulated fan that turns on and off at different speeds depending on temperature, LaCie promises near silent operation.

Hot swappable disks are accessible from the front of the smart-looking industrial design enclosures, and LEDs let you keep an eye on disk status. Each unit measures a compact 4.65 x 4.29 inches, leaving plenty of room on your desk for other things.

Equipped with two Thunderbolt 2 hard drives and a single USB 3.0 (Mac and PC-compatible), the 2big can be connected to just about any workstation. And, since it supports exFAT and the built-in hardware RAID, you’ll keep the RAID configuration regardless of what computer it’s hooked up to.

2big_TBT2_back_open

With Thunderbolt 2, up to 6 devices can be daisy-chained, providing more than enough storage for even the most prolific photographer or filmmaker. The 2big is available in 6TB, 8TB and 12TB models, priced at $599 and up, and it’s shipping now.

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