Available this summer in capacities of 12, 16 or 20 terabytes, LaCie's forthcoming 2big professional 2-bay RAID storage solution features high-speed Thunderbolt 3 connectivity set to take advantage of Apple's latest MacBook Pros.
Thanks to Thunderbolt 3, the external storage will boast transfer rates of 440MB/s, allowing users to transfer one hour of 4K footage in just one minute. Apple's late 2016 MacBook Pro with Touch Bar models feature USB-C connectors compatible with Thunderbolt 3 accessories.
The Lacie 2big Dock is more than just an external drive, however The docking station also includes front facing SD and CF card slots and USB-A 3.0 port, plus DisplayPort support, dual Thunderbolt 3 ports, and a USB-C 3.1 port on the back.
In particular, using the dock's Thunderbolt 3 ports should allow MacBook Pro users the ability to power their laptop while simultaneously daisy-chaining up to five additional Thunderbolt accessories, or one USB-C drive. Thanks to Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C technology, this is possible with just one cable connected to the MacBook Pro.
LaCie has not yet announced pricing for its 2big Thunderbolt 3 docks, but the 12-terabyte Thunderbolt 2 model carries a suggested retail price of $789.
The new Thunderbolt 3 dock includes two drive bays that can each accommodate a 3.5-inch internal hard drive. These paired drives can be set up in RAID-0 or RAID-1 configurations, allowing for either maximum storage or redundancy to prevent data loss.
Other features of the 2big Thunderbolt 3 dock, according to LaCie, are:
- Seagate IronWolf Pro enterprise-class drives and RAID optimization for superior power management and reliability
- LaCie RAID Manager that easily monitors system's health with audible alarm and email alerts
- Efficient cooling with aluminum enclosure and thermoregulated fan for professional reliability
- A five-year limited warranty
LaCie plans to show off its new Thunderbolt 3 accessories at the NAB Show in Las Vegas next week. The 2big Dock is scheduled to launch through LaCie resellers, including Apple and AppleInsider partners Adorama and B&H Photo Video this summer.