Storage device maker LaCie on Tuesday rolled out desktop versions of its SAFE hard drive. The SAFE drive uses biometric access control — a fingerprint lock — in order to keep information secure. Available in capacities from 160 – 500GB, the drive is priced from $149.99 to $299.99.
The Mac and PC-compatible drives connect using USB 2.0. In addition to fingerprint access control, the drives also feature an internal drive lock and external port to attach an optional chain lock.
Equipped with internal firmware called “Drive Lock,” the drives will not work if they’ve been removed from the case and are plugged into another machine. The biometric access control system can register up to 10 fingerprints and up to five users, which can have customized access privileges — such as full read/write access or read access only.
Each of the desktop drives comes with a 7200RPM disk mechanism. The 160GB unit costs $149.99; 320GB costs $229.99 and 500GB costs $299.99. Also included with the drive is LaCie 1-Click Backup Software and SilverKeeper Backup Software.
The desktop SAFE drive joins mobile SAFE drives already available, in capacities from 40GB to 120GB.