LaCie 14F - Manual (Page 4)

USB SUPERSPEED 3.0 AND HI-SPEED 2.0 INTERFACES
USB 3.0
USB is a serial input/output technology for connecting peripheral devices to a computer. SuperSpeed USB 3.0 is
the latest version of the USB standard, providing higher bandwidth and greater power economy.
Transfer rates for USB 3.0 can attain up to 5 Gigabits per second (Gb/s). Due to such high potential for reading
and writing data, USB 3.0 is theoretically up to ten times faster than its predecessor, USB 2.0. To allow for easier
adaption to new technology, USB 3.0 portable key drives and USB 3.0 cables are built for backwards
compatibility. It is possible to connect them to USB 2.0 ports on a computer. Please note that transfer rates will
always adhere to the speed of the computer's USB connection, type of cables, and type of connectors.
USB 3.0 Key, Flash Drive
or Cable Interface End
USB 2.0
Hi-Speed USB 2.0 is the predecessor to USB 3.0. Since its release in 2000, USB 2.0 has provided the necessary
bandwidth to support electronic and computer peripheral devices, including hard drives, CD/DVD drives, and
digital cameras. Data transfer rates can reach up to 480 Megabits per second (Mb/s).
Similar to USB 3.0, the USB 2.0 standard requires native USB 2.0 cables and connectors to achieve Hi-Speed
transfer rates. Please note that USB 2.0 cables and connectors are compatible with the USB 1.1 interface, an
older and much slower iteration of the USB serial standard. USB 1.1 was released in 1998 with transfer rates of
up to 12 Mb/s.
USB 2.0 Key, Flash Drive,
or Cable Interface End
USB 3.0 NATIVE AND USB 2.0 COMPATIBLE
Your LaCie FastKey has the potential to reach USB 3.0 SuperSpeed transfer rates. However, it is also compatible
with USB 2.0 interfaces to make certain that everyone can access data stored on the FastKey. If you are
interested in USB 3.0 transfer rates but your computer does not include a USB 3.0 interface, please go to
www.lacie.com/accessories to see our selection of PCI Express interface cards for desktops and ExpressCard34
for laptops.
LaCie User Manual 4