The drive automatically launches the LaCie setup assistant when you plug it into your computer for the first time. This application gives you a brief rundown of the different partition and formatting types, including NTFS, HFS+, and FAT32, then formats the drive according to your needs. The drive also includes a preloaded copy of the Genie Backup Assistant, a simple backup tool that uses a folder-based backup and incremental restoration points to keep your data safe. Mac OS and 64-bit Windows users are out of luck, as the software only works with Windows 2000, XP (32 and 64-bit), and 32-bit Windows Vista.
Cost per gigabyte
The Starck Mobile Drive comes in two capacities, a 320GB version for $100 and a 500GB model for $140. Using our 320GB test drive, we calculate the cost to be 31 cents per gigabyte. Compared with other external hard drives, that price is on the higher side of average.
Performance
As always, we performed a simple data transfer test and compared the LaCie to four other external drives in a similar price range. According to the chart below, the Starck Mobile Drive places just above the 27.5 MBps Transcend StoreJet 25f, but that's not to say that the drive is slow by any means. A simple numbers comparison shows that the differences are so minor that you most likely won't be able to tell unless you're transferring 10GB or more at a time.
(Longer bars indicate better performance)
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USB Read (MB/s) | |
USB Write (MB/s) |
Service and support
LaCie backs the Starck Mobile Hard Drive with a two-year warranty that covers parts and labor. Telephone support is offered Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. PST, but requires a tool to connect. You can also create a support ticket on the LaCie Web site. A two-year warranty is acceptable for an external hard drive, but we always prefer three years to ensure the physical integrity of a portable device made to withstand the abuse of daily transport.
