The LaCie Rugged SSD Pro5, a portable SSD with Thunderbolt 5 interface for faster data transmission and improved compatibility, is the latest addition to Seagate’s LaCie Rugged range. According to our headline, this new gadget can move data at speeds of up to 6,700 MB/s. The SSD Pro5, which was unveiled at CES 2025, is made to satisfy the storage needs of experts who handle big data files, including high-resolution audio, video, and raw photos.
Few external SSDs are available with Thunderbolt speed capability. For instance, the Samsung X5 that we tested has sequential read and write speeds of up to 2,800 MB/s and 2,300 MB/s, respectively, and supports Thunderbolt 3. An additional Thunderbolt/USB 4.0 external SSD with a detachable M.2 drive that can transfer data at speeds greater than 3,000 MB/s is the OWC Express 1M2, if you are looking for something speedier. Nevertheless, neither of the gadgets even approaches the performance that Seagate claims the new LaCie Rugged device will have.
Up to 6,700 MB/s may be read and 5,300 MB/s can be written with the Rugged SSD Pro5. As long as you are using a Thunderbolt 5 compliant device, this makes it the fastest external SSD available. According to reports, the SSD has a 50GB cache, after which performance decreases to 5,000 MB/s read and 1,800 MB/s write.
In general, the drive is appropriate for demanding processes including large-scale data backups, media transfers, and 8K video processing. The drive, which requires at least 15W of power, is backward compatible with devices that use Thunderbolt 4 and USB 10/20/40Gbps USB-C hosts on Windows, macOS, and iPad Pro.
A key component of the LaCie Rugged series is still durability. Up to three meters of water, dust, shocks, and drops are all prevented by the SSD Pro5’s IP68-rated construction. For those who are concerned about the environment, the drive is constructed with 45% recyclable materials and is reinforced with a sturdy rubber enclosure.
At first, Seagate will provide storage capacity of 2TB and 4TB to accommodate a range of requirements, from light fieldwork to large-scale professional projects. Like the majority of its products, Seagate’s Rescue Data Recovery Services and a limited five-year guarantee are included with the Rugged SSD Pro5. Prices start at $399.99 for 2TB and $599.99 for 4TB, and later this month, they will be available worldwide.
