LaCie Chromé Desktop Storage: External SSD With USB-C

LaCie, brand from Seagate Technology plc unveiled the Chromé desktop storage.

Complete with forward-thinking USB 3.1 Gen 2 technology, USB-C connectivity and SSDs, it is a fast USB storage solution.

Housed in an aluminum enclosure by Neil Poulton, this drive blends leading technology with design to create a product that shines from the inside out.

USB 3.1 Gen 2 speeds
To maximize the USB 3.1 Gen 2 10 Gb/s potential, the Chromé features a pair of 500GB M.2 SATA SSDs in RAID-0. Working together, these components deliver speeds of up to 940MB/s ^(*) to handle serious, bandwidth-intensive applications. This performance lets users ingest two hours of 4K GoPro footage in a little over one minute ^(**), makes architectural and 3D modeling tasks smoother and faster, and enables the editing of hi-res video without first needing to convert footage to a lower resolution.

USB-C connector
The USB-C connector also makes the drive easy to connect to a computer. Both ends are exactly the same and have no up/down or left/right orientation, so there is no wrong way to connect the USB-C cable. Plus, it is compatible with standard USB 3.0 (Type-A) ports thanks to the included adapter cable.

Design by Neil Poulton
This signature device has been designed in collaboration with industrial designer Neil Poulton to bring sophistication to a workspace. The elevated form is an homage to a 1935 bronze statue from Constantin Brâncusi, one of the most influential sculptors of the 20th century.

Once machined, the enclosure is hand assembled, then chromed to a mirror polish. Forged from solid chromed zinc, the stand securely docks the product with powerful neodymium magnets – and detaches for easy transport.

“The LaCie Chromé is a concept reduced to its essence: a rectangle tilted onto its corner, melting into its base like quicksilver,” said Neil Poulton, Chromé designer.

The Chromé is engineered for the long term – from the enclosure to the internal components – to endure intensive storage tasks. Its aluminum enclosure is lightweight yet sturdy, with each product individually machined from solid aluminum blocks for rigid durability and heat dissipation. Since effective cooling ensures long-term component health, the Chromé features a blower that introduces cool air and a heat sink that draws hot air away from the SSDs.

The Chromé features a two-year limited warranty that can also be extended and upgraded. The included limited warranty provides comprehensive, complimentary web-based resources, expert in-house technical support and worldwide repair and/or replacement coverage.

The Chromé comes in a 1TB capacity (MSRP $1,100.00) and will be available as early as this quarter through the firm’ online store and company’s resellers.

^(*) Actual data rates may vary depending on operating environment and other factors.
^(**) Based on 64GB of 4K GoPro footage (source). Quantitative usage examples for various applications are for illustrative purposes.