And the award for most striking external hard drive goes to: LaCie’s Blade Runner ($299). Designed by Philippe Starck, it’s drastically different from accessories we’ve seen from his studio in the past, as well as virtually everyone else for that matter. Rather than the normal boxy enclosure most hard drives use, this one situates an “anthropomorphic metal interior” inside a cage-like series of vertical blades. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that it’s a limited edition.
Packing a 4TB hard drive, Blade Runner’s blob-shaped core is claimed to have been made from liquid metal. The blades surrounding it are there for more than just looks; they actually help improve airflow and keep the unit cool. Blade Runner connects to your Mac over USB 3.0, and comes with all the goodies we’re used to from LaCie, including Time Machine support and password protection.
