Skip to main content

Built on a fast SSD, LaCie’s computer-free backup drive just got much better

The Rugged BOSS SSD brings faster performance to the computer-free backup solution thanks to a solid-state drive (SSD). Announced September 10 alongside two other Rugged SSD products, the new BOSS device maintains the built-in SD memory card slot, USB port, status screen, and mobile compatibility as the previous model. The battery-powered drive can quickly copy memory cards in the field without needing a computer, freeing up cards to be used or again or creating redundant backups for security.

LaCie’s first product in the BOSS line, the DJI Copilot, had a lot going for it but failed in one big way: Speed. We measured an average read speed of just 39MB per second in our review, making it unusable as an editing disk and painfully slow even for just offloading content. The new Rugged BOSS SSD seeks to right this wrong by offering speeds up to 430MB per second.

The move from a spinning disk to solid-state storage isn’t just about faster performance. It also means the new drive has no moving parts which, given its goal of protecting your data in the field, is a definite plus.

On the downside, the Rugged BOSS SSD will be more expensive and have less capacity than the DJI Copilot, offering 1TB of storage for $450. That’s half the capacity for an additional $100, but the increased performance will likely be worth it for video pros.

The other LaCie products announced today include the Rugged SSD and Rugged SSD Pro, both with IP67 dust and waterproof ratings. These are traditional portable drives without the battery power and built-in media backup capabilities of the BOSS line, but they are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand.

They also offer even faster performance. The Rugged SSD tops out at 950MB per second over USB 3.1, while the SSD Pro reaches a blistering 2,800MB per second over Thunderbolt 3. A first for a portable Thunderbolt 3 drive, the SSD Pro is also compatible with USB 3.1 devices, albeit at slower speeds.

Where the Rugged BOSS SSD is available in a single capacity, the other drives offer multiple options. The base Rugged SSD is available in 500GB for $180, 1TB for $300, or 2TB for $500. The Rugged SSD Pro will offer 1TB capacity for $400 or 2TB for $700.

Editors' Recommendations

Daven Mathies
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Daven is a contributing writer to the photography section. He has been with Digital Trends since 2016 and has been writing…
DJI’s 2022 drone contest offers record prize pool
A photo taken from a drone.

Leading drone maker DJI has teamed up with the SkyPixel online community for its eighth annual photo and video contest.

Whether you’re an experienced drone pilot or an absolute beginner still finding your way, the contest is the perfect opportunity to send your machine skyward in a test of your creative skills.

Read more
How $80 of photo processing software magically saved me thousands
photo editing topaz labs denoise ai phil camera

It's a good time to be a photographer, whether you're just starting out and really don't have any idea what you're doing, or if you're a seasoned pro looking to try something new.

The gear is better than ever, making even entry-level bodies better than what the previous generation started out with. Software options make cataloging and processing your photos faster and less destructive, so you can revisit things for years and give old pics new life.

Read more
Sony A7 III mirorless camera is $300 off for Black Friday
Sony Alpha a7 III Mirrorless front view.

There are a lot of great Best Buy Black Friday deals going on right now, and whether you're looking for TVs, laptops, or even headphones, there's a little something for everybody. Of course, many folks may not realize that Best Buy has some fantastic deals on high-end photography gear, such as this Sony Alpha a7 III mirrorless camera. While it usually goes for a whopping $2,200, Best Buy had brought it down to $1,900, and while that relatively doesn't seem like much, you could always spend the $300 savings on a new lens.

Why you should buy the Sony Alpha a7 III
The Sony Alpha a7 III is a camera with so much tech that it might as well be three different cameras. It has excellent dynamic range, low-light performance, and high-speed performance, and the full-frame sensors make the images look absolutely stunning. Interestingly, the a7 III manages to do an excellent job at both low and high ISOs, the latter of which can go as high as 51,200 non-boosted, which, granted, adds a lot of noise, but noise reduction helps with that. As for the video, well, sadly, it's not as impressive, at least in terms of advancements in image quality, and while it can do 8-bit 4K at 30 frames per second, it's no longer ahead of the pack in that regard, like the Panasonic Lumix GH5 is with its 400Mbps 10-bit codec and 60-fps 4K.

Read more