Exclusive hands-on review of the new LaCie 2big 6TB NAS device

One of the areas I will cover in a little more detail is RAID mode. This section enables you to change between RAID 1 which provides a mirrored copy of the data on the disks (which is the default option) and RAID 0 which gives you no redundancy. The choice is yours obviously but if you want the most protection afforded to your either on your data shares or the backups you can perform using the 2big then RAID 1 is the way to go.

Changing the RAID mode is simply a case of clicking a few buttons.

The 2big provides the capability to backup and restore files from your computer, the NAS, or other devices all with a click. Now there is no excuse not to have those really important pictures or files backed up and safe.

You can also see the list of available services on the 2big, including Time Machine backups for the Mac and Multimedia which provides streaming services to your networked devices. To enable or disable a service only takes a click, which is very simple.

Another one of the options enables you to update the firmware. The update servers are checked automatically for you so you just need to click the Install button.

Then just confirm the update and sit back – the whole process only takes a few moments.

During the firmware update process the light on the front flashes purple.

Then the update was complete and I just had to wait whilst the 2big rebooted and I had to sign back in.

Final Thoughts

I really liked the LaCie 2big NAS device. I found it very easy to set up and configure, and it was very easy to use. Enabling and disabling services could be done with a click of the mouse and there was guidance all the way through everything I wanted to do, so there wasn’t any need for guess work!

The 2big can backup your files, streaming your music and videos, act as an iTunes server, download your *ahem* torrent files, provide you with an iSCSI target and even act as a print server. And it can do more as well, and as I mentioned all very easily without fuss!

You have no excuse now for not backing up those really important files – and lets be honest, everyone at some point has either lost important files or will lose important files. And frankly it’s no real use implementing a backup strategy after the fact, you need it before!

The 2big has both a LAN port, an eSATA port and a USB port for expansion. It’s a little disappointing to see that it’s only a USB 2.0 port – this really should have been USB 3.0 in my opinion.

One thing I liked, which may not seem like a big deal was that LaCie had included a variety of power cables in the box so that you could have the correct one, and could also have another countries one should you wish to take the 2big with you somewhere. Not very likely, but it could happen!

I also liked that if you switch off the power that it doesn’t just die, it actually shuts itself down cleanly. Nice move on the part of LaCie.

Noise wise the 2big was actually pretty quiet! I have seen a number of small 2 bay NAS devices over the years and a lot of them are quite noisy and are built out of flimsy plastic, where as the 2big is quiet and pretty darn solid!

The LaCie 2big NAS is available in a diskless 0TB version and up to 8TB capacities through the LaCie Online Store, LaCie PROgram+ Partners and LaCie PROgram+ Resellers starting at £259.00.

So even with the lack of a USB 3.0 port on the 2big, we still rate it 5/5 – this really is a well made, cool looking NAS that can do pretty much everything you need it to do. My only real problem with it is that I have to give it back!