LaCie is the company behind some of the most sleek external harddrives that have launched over the last few years. Unfortunately the cooling hasn’t always been very good, noisy most of all. It seems LaCie has decided to do something about its flawed reputation and try to make a name for quiet storage solutions. It has teamed up with renowned cooling manufacturer Noctua to develop external RAID solution operating at minimal noise levels. Noctua mentions up to 60% less noise when idle thanks to Noctua’s NF-P12 fan.
The press release follows below;
LaCie and Noctua team up to create quiet RAID solutions
Paris / Vienna, December 10th 2008 – Leading external storage manufacturer LaCie and renowned quiet cooling specialist Noctua today announced their cooperation on the development of acoustically optimized storage solutions. The recently announced LaCie 4big Quadra and LaCie 5big Network, designed by Neil Poulton, are the first LaCie four and five-bay RAID external storage solutions to feature Noctua cooling technology. Thanks to the use of Noctua’s NF-P12 fan, their noise emission is reduced, on average, by 40% compared to their predecessors.
“LaCie always seeks to combine class-leading performance with design and ergonomics”, said Olivier Mirloup, LaCie Hard Disk Solutions Business Unit Manager. “Offering capacities up to 6TB and 7.5TB respectively and a versatile hot-swap feature, LaCie 4big Quadra and LaCie 5big Network support seven RAID modes for optimal performance and data protection. Furthermore, we wanted our products to become the reference in terms of quietness for professional storage. That’s why we’ve chosen Noctua’s award-winning NF-P12 fan for cooling, and we are very proud of the result. It’s a vast improvement.”
Designed to enhance working environments, LaCie 4big Quadra and LaCie 5big Network are up to 15dB quieter than their predecessors. Thanks to the psycho-acoustically optimised Noctua NF-P12 fan with Vortex-Control Notches, the LaCie 4big Quadra and LaCie 5big Network also feature an acoustic profile that’s much more pleasant to the ear, making them ideal for AV workstations and SMB offices that value the comfort of quiet working environments.
LaCie 5big
“Our NF-P12 fan is tailor-made for high-impedance applications like storage solutions and we’re proud to count LaCie among our industrial partners who make use of our technologies and know-how in order to improve the acoustics of their products”, says Mag. Roland Mossig, Noctua CEO. “Both LaCie and Noctua stand for premium quality products and we’re confident that LaCie 4big Quadra and LaCie 5big Network mark the beginning of a long and fruitful cooperation that pushes the envelope in quiet, first class storage solutions.”
LaCie 4big Quadra and LaCie 5big Network are available via LaCie’s specialized dealer network at suggested retail prices starting at USD 849.
Links
LaCie 5big Network
LaCie 4big Quadra
Noctua NF-P12
Vortex-Control Notches
About LaCie
Located in the USA, Canada, Japan, Australia, Europe, Singapore and Hong Kong, LaCie is the leading manufacturer of computer peripherals for Windows, Apple and Linux users. LaCie creates external storage solutions and color monitors that help professionals and everyday people easily manage their digital lives. LaCie has differentiated its products through original designs and leading-edge technology. Established in France in 1989, LaCie is listed on Euronext under FR0000054314 (LAC). For more information, visit www.lacie.com
About Noctua
Noctua comes from a cooperation between the Austrian Rascom Computerdistribution Ges.m.b.H and the Taiwanese Kolink International Corporation and has a development partnership with the Austrian Institute of Heat Transmission and Fan Technology (Österreichisches Institut für Wärmeübertragung und Ventilatorentechnik, ÖIWV). These connections form the key to the development of sound-optimised premium components “Designed in Austria”: The partnership with the ÖIWV permits the application of latest technology in methods of scientific measurement instrumentation, calculation and simulation in the R&D process. Rascom’s long, customer-orientated experience in developing and distributing sound-optimised high-end components ensures a clear focus on the users’ needs. The use of Kolink’s advanced manufacturing technology and ultra-modern production plants allows Noctua to efficiently implement its technical edge and provide solutions of the highest standard in quality and performance to the customer. www.noctua.at
About Neil Poulton
Neil Poulton was born in Thurso, Scotland. A graduate in Industrial Design from Edinburgh University and Milan’s Domus Academy, Poulton first came into public view in 1989 as the creator of “the ageing pens,” pens made from a “living,” wearing plastic that changes color and form with use. Today, Neil Poulton designs and develops best-selling, award-winning products for a variety of international clients including LaCie & Artemide. Since 1991, Poulton has lived and worked in Paris, France. www.neilpoulton.com
