The LaCie Rugged SSD Pro external drive is designed for professional videographers and others who work in the field with Thunderbolt 3-equipped computers (most often Macs). Small, light, and even mailable, it earns the right to add “extremely” in front of “fast and rugged.”

The Rugged SSD Pro’s speed and toughness are pretty much tied for being its most impressive feature. For the first, it marries a Seagate FireCuda NVMe SSD with a Thunderbolt 3 interface. LaCie rates the combination at 2,800MBps for both disk reads and writes, compared with the 2,800MBps for reads and 2,300MBps for writes claimed for the Samsung Portable SSD X5—another SSD that combines NVMe with Thunderbolt 3, and the only other drive we’ve tested to date with similar performance. The two were virtually tied in our tests, leaving everything else in the dust. Together, they effectively redefine what fast means for an external drive. 

The Rugged SSD Pro offers one USB Type-C port and comes with a single USB-C-to-USB-C cable. However, the port and cable support both Thunderbolt 3 and—to some extent at least—USB 3.1 Gen 1 and Gen 2 ports, which isn’t always true for Thunderbolt 3 drives, including the Samsung Portable SSD X5 in particular. This can be critical if you want to take advantage of Thunderbolt 3 speeds in the field and then send the drive to someone who may have a PC with USB 3.1 ports.

PCMag.com

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At the 2019 IBC Show, LaCie announced three new storage solutions for creative, media and entertainment (M&E) professionals. The new LaCie Rugged SSD Pro, LaCie Rugged SSD, and LaCie Rugged BOSS SSD deliver world-class, precision-engineered solutions to help M&E professionals easily manage their precious content ensuring their data is secure and accessible anytime, anywhere.

According to a recent IDC whitepaper sponsored by Seagate, the amount of data created, captured or replicated by the M&E industry across the globe from 2018 to 2025 is expected to grow at a 25% compound annual growth rate (CAGR). Creative professionals should consider implementing a data strategy that supports this level of mobility; choosing a solution that can handle the increase in volume of data and facilitate the management of their workflow.

Designed to help M&E professionals manage the huge volumes of data their workflows create, the new LaCie Rugged SSD Pro, LaCie Rugged SSD, and LaCie Rugged BOSS SSD celebrate 30 years of LaCie’s creativity as the industry continues to transform.

Top Speeds Solution: Built for Extreme 8K Filming and Editing

The LaCie Rugged SSD Pro satisfies the cravings of filmmakers and digital imaging technicians (DITs) for a scratch disk with high-speed transfers and editing power for up to 8K high-res and super slow motion footage.

This drive features a Seagate FireCuda NVMe SSD inside for maximum Thunderbolt 3 speeds up to 2800MB/s and extreme in-field durability so filmmakers and DITs can playback 6K, 8K, and super slow-motion source files anywhere — without transcoding1. Previously, Thunderbolt 3 devices would only work with Thunderbolt 3 computers; now, the LaCie Rugged SSD Pro features the latest Thunderbolt 3 controller and is the first Thunderbolt 3 portable storage solution offering USB 3.1 compatibility for seamless plug and play connectivity.

This palm-sized drive can tackle any terrain with its impressive IP67-rated dust and water resistance, three-meter drop tolerance, and two-ton car crush resistance2. It is the first Thunderbolt 3 storage solution that can be immersed in water up to one meter for up to 30 minutes. Plus, enjoy long-term peace of mind with the included five-year limited warranty protection plan featuring Rescue Data Recovery Services. Customers will also benefit from a one-month complimentary membership to Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps Plan for access to awesome photo and video editing apps.

These exciting features make the LaCie Rugged SSD Pro the most robust and versatile Thunderbolt 3 portable storage on the market. The LaCie Rugged SSD Pro will be available with MSRPs of $399.99 (1TB) and $699.99 (2TB).

“Media and entertainment companies are facing increasingly competitive markets,” said Jeff Fochtman, vice president of Consumer Solution and Global Marketing for Seagate and LaCie brands. “Combining 40 years of Seagate’s passion and 30 years of LaCie’s creativity, the new Rugged solutions are designed to help M&E professionals move their data and ideas forward; turning projects into industry-recognized accomplishments.”

“The LaCie Rugged SSD Pro is the first portable device in the market to feature the latest Thunderbolt 3 technology,” said Jason Ziller, General Manager Client Connectivity Division at Intel. “The JHL7440 controller enables LaCie to offer industry-leading performance through Thunderbolt 3-based PCs and compatibility with legacy computers.”

Level Up Your 4K Video Project

The LaCie Rugged SSD provides filmmakers and DITs with high-speed transfers and editing power, extreme ruggedness and Seagate Secure self-encrypting technology with password protection for project confidentiality. With Seagate FireCuda NVMe SSD inside, users will experience USB 3.1 Gen 2 speeds of up to 950MB/s, enabling them to transfer and edit RAW 4K video with ease¹.

This hand-held, portable solution provides plenty of capacity, up to 2TB, and, like all members of the next-generation Rugged family, it is rated IP67 for water resistance, three-meter drop tolerance, and two-ton car crush resistance2. It also comes with Seagate’s five-year limited warranty and Rescue Data Recovery Services plan as well as a one-month complimentary membership to Adobe Creative Cloud All Apps Plan. The LaCie Rugged SSD will be available with MSRPs of $179.99 (500GB), $299.99 (1TB) and $499.99 (2TB).

Go Laptop Free with BOSS

Fast and beyond efficient, the LaCie Rugged BOSS SSD satisfies filmmakers and photographers needing a fast, easy, computer-free way to copy, review, and manage content on the go.

The LaCie Rugged BOSS SSD comes with a spacious 1TB of capacity enabling users to tap into fast SSD speeds of up to 430MB/s with direct file transfers via the integrated SD card slot and USB port¹. The built-in status screen provides real-time updates on transfers, capacity, and battery life to help you manage your workflow seamlessly³. With the LaCie BOSS app on iOS and Android you can view, name and delete footage using your mobile device for the ultimate on-the-go experience.

Designed to tackle any terrain with drop, splash and dust resistance, the LaCie Rugged BOSS SSD can be used as a portable power pack for USB devices like phones and mirrorless cameras³. With a 3-year limited warranty and Seagate’s Rescue Data Recovery Services included, the drive includes a complimentary 1-month subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud All-Apps plan featuring Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and more. The LaCie Rugged BOSS SSD will be available with an MSRP of $449.99.

For those attending IBC 2019, LaCie and Seagate (C11, HALL 7) will demonstrate how the latest storage systems and solutions can help improve the creative workflow process from creative hobbyists to professionals running post-production studios.

^1. Actual data rates may vary depending on operating environment and other factors, such as chosen interface, and disk capacity.

^2. Determined by a test that approximates a real-world scenario in which the solid state drive remained functional, despite aesthetic damage after the product was driven over by an approximately 2-ton car (2000 kg / 4410 lbs).

^3. Exact battery life subject to product model, normal usage conditions, and configurations. Dispose of used batteries properly.

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But the people who’ve depended on it for so many years have a special place in their hearts for this tough orange workhorse. Why? Because LaCie Rugged products are the industry’s most trusted way to capture and transport data in the field.

And of course, they really love those orange bumpers. But “why orange?” they ask. Many people know the Rugged, like several LaCie drives, was designed by acclaimed industrial designer Neil Poulton.

Why did he choose orange for the drive’s protective rubber sleeve?

As part of the #LaCieTurns30 celebration, we’re not only giving you the answer, but also the chance to win a LaCie d2 Professional 10TB. Read on below, and learn how to enter to win!

Rugged fans took their best guesses

We asked LaCie fans to give us their best guesses to explain why the iconic LaCie Rugged comes in its own very special orange color. And we got a big pile of … uh … interesting answers. Some answers were familiar, some were similar to each other, and others were decidedly “different.” Yes, some were quite enlightening — about the frame of mind of certain LaCie fans!

In the end, of course not all the answers could be the “right” one. But a lot of the ideas really do help highlight the Rugged’s unique awesomeness, and the love so many people have for its orange wonderfulness.

Check out this list of fan guesses, before you sneak a peek at the correct answer at the bottom of the page. Which of them seem reasonable to you? Which is your favorite?

LaCie fans guess why the Rugged is orange:

• LaCie means orange in French?
• Because, “fun!”
• Persimmon wasn’t quite the right shade
• Rugged is orange so it attracts people. It gives you a warmth, creativity, happiness, and balanced feeling. It’s so uplifting!
• Because it’s ripe with possibility
• Because orange stands out? I sure know when someone uses LaCie because I can visually see that’s LaCie orange!
• Orange is the new black
• Someone at LaCie was a big Crash Bandicoot fan?
• Because it looks like fire — another breakthrough invention that’s become a basic necessity
• It means, “watch out, I’m here!”
• So you can’t see the Cheeto dust on it… when you’re working all night to finish the big project…
• Because orange is known to stimulate the brain to secrete serotonin … but everybody knew that right?
• It’s easy to find it in low light conditions. No fumbling in the dark. 
• Because LaCie made the first Rugged in the Fall?
• Neil Poulton’s favorite color is orange
• It signals “Precious cargo…”
• LaCie’s founder was a fruitarian, just like Steve Jobs?
• The bright orange makes it easy to see in harsh conditions. 
• LaCie has U.S. offices in Oregon, which may look like Orange if you read it too fast
• Because it’s beautiful but so powerful, like a tiger!
• It looks like nachos! And just like the first nachos combined chips, jalapenos and cheese, the Rugged combines three brilliant ingredients: a fast hard drive/SSD, a fast interface, and a beautiful orange covering!
• Just like a Monarch is the most beautiful butterfly, LaCie wanted Rugged to be the most beautiful hard drive
• So you’ll be able to recognize a LaCie rugged hard drive from miles away. It’s original. It’s branding!
• Rugged can bounce like an (orange) basketball?
• Someone’s an Oregon State U fan?
• So not even low visibility will prevent your LaCie drive from making it home from the trip!
• Orange is the safest color. LaCie drives are the safest on the market. 
• It’s made for astronauts, just like Tang
• LaCie drives are orange because if you take all of the letters in the word, “orange,” rearrange them, take a few away, and add a few different ones, it’ll spell “LaCie”
• Orange is associated with safety — it’s keeping all that important data safe. 
• Like a Basketball! It’s drop resistant!
• Easy to see when you’re shooting in the field, and when it’s dark!
• Like life-vests, the color orange stands for protection and visibility. The protection on a LaCie hard drive works like a life vest!
• It makes people happy like a beautiful orange sunset.
• Because it looks like a lifeboat?
• Because falling from the tree doesn’t effect the orange fruits
• Since the LaCie rugged hard drives are widely used by photographers and filmmakers, when you see a bright orange case you know it’s a LaCie device.
• It’s industrial orange — it’s tough like a hard hat.
• It’s easy to keep track of with its bright color protective shell.
• Just like the sun, Rugged is the source of all life-giving energy!

So — what’s the right answer?

So really … why is the LaCie Rugged orange?

Our long-time LaCie marketing expert Clement Barberis says the Rugged’s designer Poulton “chose the color orange because he wanted the Rugged to be as tough as a basketball.”

That’s right. According to Poulton himself, he chose the color because to him, it is synonymous with “Tonka toys, hard hats, life rafts…but mostly a basketball that’s meant to be bounced.”

Want to know more awesome facts about the history of the LaCie Rugged? Look for another 30th anniversary blog next week, and learn more about how the Rugged became the most popular super-tough portable drive for creative professionals!

How to enter our LaCie 30th birthday giveaway

Now we invite you to flaunt your LaCie trivia skills! As part of our 30th birthday celebration, we’re giving away a LaCie d2 Professional 10TB to one lucky fan who posts the correct answer to this question:

Why is the LaCie Rugged Orange?

Enter before September 3, 2019 at 11:59 pm PT. You can enter two ways:

See terms and conditions for full eligibility rules.

Good luck everyone!

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