LaCie XtremKey promises to survive the elements

LaCie announced a new USB drive family named XtremKey, this series features a thick metal pipe casing to protect your data from the elements. According to the company, the XtremKey is resistant to pressure, water, high drops, and extreme hot and cold. The LaCie XtremKey series will start shipping in August, it will be available in capacities of 8GB to 64GB with prices starting at 49.90EUR ($49.99).

LaCie announced today the LaCie XtremKey – offering industrial-strength protection for your data. With capacities up to 64GB and an impenetrable shell, the XtremKey is a truly rugged USB key that stands up to the elements.

LaCie, originator of the flat, award-winning key-shaped USB flash drives, shields the XtremKey’s premium flash memory modules inside a 2mm metal pipe casing. Sealed with wear-resistant screw threads and a rubber O-ring, it is watertight up to 100 meters. The LaCie XtremKey is also resistant to 5-meter drops, fierce heat and bitter cold – it holds up in any environment, no matter where you take it (+200°C / -50°).

XtremKey is constructed with zamac, a metal alloy composed of zinc, aluminum, magnesium and copper that’s so strong, it can withstand the pressure of a 10-ton truck. Less than three inches tall, this flash memory drive puts strength, security and storage right on your keyring.

“The XtremKey offers extreme durability and capacity in a convenient, well-protected and fun form factor,” said Alexis Kobassian, Product Manager, LaCie. “Despite the robust, industrial-strength protection we’ve added, it’s still a LaCie key that brings ease-of-use and reliability to customers looking to keep their data secure while on the go.”

Equipped with the Hi-Speed USB 2.0 interface, XtremKey offers instant compatibility, outstanding transfer speeds and cross-platform convenience to all PC and Mac® users. With writing speeds up to 30 Mb/s and reading up to 40 Mb/s, you don’t have to sacrifice performance for protection.

Designed by Constance Guisset exclusively for LaCie, XtremKey works relentlessly to keep your data protected, all while being portable, powerful and perfectly suited for your life’s adventures. The key, when placed on a desktop, even shows some playful personality with a perfectly balanced wobble effect.