Lacie Rugged 5TB USB-C Portable HDD

I use this as the primary drive for my photo library, attached to a macbook pro. I carry it with me into some fairly remote places where I photograph wildlife and landscapes. It is tough, strong and reliable. It's fast enough for the work I want it to do. I use this as the primary drive for my photo library, attached to a macbook pro. I carry it with me into some fairly remote places where I photograph wildlife and landscapes. It is tough, strong and reliable. It's fast enough for the work I want it to do.

By: KelvinW46 16/10/25

Verified Owner

I have had two of these. The first one started showing SMART errors but was well within warranty (was maybe 6 or so months old). It also disconnected itself a lot. I returned it hoping for a refund, but got a replacement. Good on PB Tech for standing behind the product, but…

Second one had the same disconnection issues. Then refused to mount entirely. But not in warranty anymore. I used TechTool Pro to see what could be done. Nothing. It was reading as having millions of bad sectors (I ran it for 45 mins, every sector came back bad, stopped the test). Neither of the drives were ever mistreated, dropped, etc.

I had given up on it, but sa...view more I have had two of these. The first one started showing SMART errors but was well within warranty (was maybe 6 or so months old). It also disconnected itself a lot. I returned it hoping for a refund, but got a replacement. Good on PB Tech for standing behind the product, but…

Second one had the same disconnection issues. Then refused to mount entirely. But not in warranty anymore. I used TechTool Pro to see what could be done. Nothing. It was reading as having millions of bad sectors (I ran it for 45 mins, every sector came back bad, stopped the test). Neither of the drives were ever mistreated, dropped, etc.

I had given up on it, but saw something online about taking them out of the enclosure. Did that, chucked in my dock and it mounted fine. I now have access to all of the data I thought was lost forever. All the tests on TechTool Pro are also now fine. Drive mounts like a champ via the dock.

My thoughts? The hard drive itself is likely fine - it’s a Seagate Barracuda - but the enclosure has issues. If you are prepared to pull it to bits and use it in a dock fill your boots. Otherwise buy with caution. It is at least $100 more expensive than competitor products (e.g. WD Passport), and you think that’s because of the ruggedness, but that doesn’t mean anything when the PCB has issues/dies. Have attached a pic, nothing obvious and the USB connector is fine. As you can see the PCB is pretty basic and is just mounted on that plastic panel using two screws. It’s better than WD where the PCB is actually soldered to the drive! But obviously not good enough.

I would never buy one of these again. I think Seagate are trading off the good name LaCie built up over decades…

excellent product...highly recommended excellent product...highly recommended

Reliable and fast. Use it as my working drive for editing videos on the MacbookPro M1 Max. No need for a dongle. Can't fault it Reliable and fast. Use it as my working drive for editing videos on the MacbookPro M1 Max. No need for a dongle. Can't fault it

I use these by the crate load. never had problem yet. I use these by the crate load. never had problem yet.

Very fast and runs straight off a USB port.
The Orange case looks like it will do the trick as well if it gets knocked abut. Very fast and runs straight off a USB port.
The Orange case looks like it will do the trick as well if it gets knocked abut.

never had problems with this, would buy again never had problems with this, would buy again

Need updates Need updates

Ultimately we all will store and back up our professional Media such as high resolution 4 and 8K video, or high end graphics, or Photography etc on huge SD cards (each 10 to 20 TB).
But as the technology has not yet arrived for such huge SD storage it is neither a practical nor an economical solution.

As such this Lacie HD is the ideal answer... it is USB-C connected ... 5 TB of storage.. and does not need a separate power connection. It also transportable, durable and as reliable as you can get in 2024/5....
Professionally you need multiple copies and back up's of serious footage (at least 3 is suggested, with all stored...view more Ultimately we all will store and back up our professional Media such as high resolution 4 and 8K video, or high end graphics, or Photography etc on huge SD cards (each 10 to 20 TB).
But as the technology has not yet arrived for such huge SD storage it is neither a practical nor an economical solution.

As such this Lacie HD is the ideal answer... it is USB-C connected ... 5 TB of storage.. and does not need a separate power connection. It also transportable, durable and as reliable as you can get in 2024/5....
Professionally you need multiple copies and back up's of serious footage (at least 3 is suggested, with all stored in different locations) These Lacie HD's are so good I have purchased 10. (yes ten) from PBTech.

go figure and I kid you not these are the best most reliable deal in town