Cables and Connectors

USB-C

USB-C protocols

USB is a serial input/output technology for connecting peripheral devices to a computer. USB-C is the latest implementation of this standard and it provides higher bandwidth and new power management features.

USB-C supports many protocols:

Thunderbolt 3: transfer rates up to 40Gb/s
USB 3.1 Gen 2: transfer rates up to 10Gb/s
USB 3.1 Gen 1: transfer rates up to 5Gb/s
SuperSpeed USB 3.0: transfer rates up to 5Gb/s
Hi-Speed USB 2.0: transfer rates up to 480Mb/s

The USB-C port on the LaCie Portable Drive is USB 3.1 Gen 1. You can connect the Portable Drive to any USB-C or USB Type A port but transfer rates vary. See below for more details.

Cables

Your LaCie hard drive is shipped with two cables for universal compatibility with all modern computers:

USB 3.1 Gen 2 (USB-C)
USB 3.1 Gen 1 (USB-C)–to–USB Type A (USB 3.0 and USB 2.0)

For optimal transfer rates up to 5Gb/s, connect the LaCie Portable Drive to a USB 3.1 port.

LaCie Portable Drive also supports connections to computers with USB Type A ports. Transfer rates with USB Type A connections have the potential to reach the speeds listed below.

Hi-Speed USB 2.0: up to 480Mb/s
SuperSpeed USB 3.0: up to 5Gb/s

USB 3.1 (USB-C) cable

Use the USB-C cable to ensure maximum data transfer rates with compatible ports. Connecting your product is easy since the USB-C cable is identical on both ends. Further, the USB-C ports on your LaCie hard drive and computer are conveniently rounded to accept the cable end no matter how it is connected.

Connector face	Cable end

USB 3.1 (USB-C)–to–USB Type A cable

Use the USB 3.1 (USB-C)–to–USB Type A cable for compatibility with computers that do not have a USB-C port. The USB-C end is connected to the LaCie hard drive and the Type A end is connected to the computer’s USB 3.0 or USB 2.0 Type A port.

Hard drive performance is limited to USB 3.0 transfer rates when connected to a USB 3.0 port and, USB 2.0 transfer rates when connected to a USB 2.0 port

Connector face (USB Type A to computer)	Cable end (USB Type A to computer)	Cable end (USB-C to product)	Connector face (USB-C to product)