On October 24, 2012 Lacie introduced a smaller and faster mobile hard drive for the Apple fans. As we are used from LaCie. the new name is hardly to speak in one breath: LaCie Porsche Design P'9223 Slim 120SSD. So, as real Apple fan, I was very curious to learn more about this new driver.
© LaCie
Packaging and connections
The design of this new hdd is very well recognizable and yet already nine years old. It was originally developed by Porsche Design Group. The housing is very recognizable by the use of aluminum and the tight line. On the sides, you’ll find a rubber layer and the USB 3.0 connection. In the package you will see a cable to connect the hdd to your PC.
© LaCie
Dimensions
The hard drive is really a mini version. It is just slightly larger than the iPhone5 and only weighs 182 gram. In actual dimensions this means 128x79x11mm. Yes, indeed, the hard disk is 11mm thick (read: thin). This is less than the recent Macbook Pro Retina or Air!
© LaCie
Speed
Rather than listing up MBps, I prefer sharing with you my personal impressions.
From the moment that the drive was connected and a first test folder of 75GB was moved, I noticed that it is fast, very fast. My folder was copied in just over 4 minutes. Also editing in Photoshop, photos (stored on disk) works very fast. I would almost dare to say that you will not notice a difference with this external drive against an internal hard drive.
Storage
This disc was presented in two versions: a version with 500GB hard drive and a version with 120GB SSD (which I've tested). Both versions have a completely different target audience, but it is important to know that the version with SSD drive has its limitations in capacity, but you do get a lot of speedness.
Software
LaCie is willing to have a good reputation and is therefore willing to provide in addition to the hard disk free software. Indeed, the Intego Backup Assistant Public & Private is entirely at your disposal.
The Intego Backup Assistant software is a useful tool to get files from your internal to the external hard drive to backup in one direction (called backup) or in 2 directions (called synchronization). The features are quite acceptable, only the “clone function”, is only available in the payable Pro-version. Would you like to secure your files, use LaCie Private Public. For more explanation about all the features of this software, please visit the LaCie’s website.
Price
With a retail price of 149,99 euros and a limited storage capacity, the "LaCie Porsche Design P'9223 Slim 120SSD" is certainly not for everyone's wallet. I can imagine that for people who absolutely require the speed, the high price is justified. In case you need however more capacity and the top speed is not a necessity, than take the 500GB version for only 89,99 euros.
Conclusion
The LaCie Porsche Design P'9223 Slim 120SSD with USB 3.0 connection is very fast. For Mac users who are looking for a small external drive with top steep and nice fitting Mac design : stop looking because this disc is really excellent. The less positive sides are: the limited storage capacity and the price.
Best regards,
Sven Michiels
