LaCie Brings USB 3.0 to Mac OS

LaCie introduced performance to Mac users with the availability of a USB 3.0 driver for Mac OS. The driver brings the speeds of LaCie’s USB 3.0 hard drives to Mac computers and laptops – delivering transfer rates that are more than two times faster than FireWire 800.

Theorical Speed
lacie_usb_30_mac_os

By downloading LaCie’s USB 3.0 driver for Mac and using it in conjunction with LaCie’s USB 3.0 expansion cards, Mac users can experience USB 3.0 speeds. Check your compatibility with USB 3.0, install the peripherals, and download the driver.

"LaCie is excited to bring full USB 3.0 compatibility to our Mac customers," said Marketing Director Minh Lê. "This milestone demonstrates LaCie’s industry leadership and longtime commitment to delivering the best performance possible to our demanding Mac users."

LaCie USB 3.0 product offerings now include:

LaCie 2big USB 3.0
LaCie d2 USB 3.0
LaCie Minimus
LaCie Rugged USB 3.0
LaCie Rikiki USB 3.0
LaCie USB 3.0 PCI Express Card
LaCie USB 3.0 ExpressCard/34

If you already have one of LaCie’s USB 3.0 products and a LaCie expansion card, you can download the driver, get more information, or check your Mac’s compatibility.

Comments

There is no USB 3.0 connector on any Apple computer but several companies in the Macintosh market, including LaCie, MacWay or OWC, have announced USB 3.0 external HDDs.

The buyers could only use USB 2.0 interface even if they have a PCIe($50) or ExpressCard/34 ($60) with USB 3.0 connectors. Some of them nevertheless bought these units as their price was not much higher and hoping that Apple will add the new interface.

But today, there is no guarantee that it will happen. All the Macs now integrate Intel's motherboards. Finally, it will depend on Intel that seems to hesitate and is late to implement USB 3.0, maybe with its upcoming Chief River platform.

At least now there is a driver from LaCie able to run USB 3.0 with an external card - only on Mac Pro and Mac Book Pro using OS 10.5 or later.