Computers & Office · PRODUCT REVIEW

LaCie
Little Disk 500GB Portable External Hard Drive

For a legacy FireWire or USB 2.0 host. A closer look at the benefits, the limitations, and the alternatives.

Buyer Shortlists editorial·Updated
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. How our links work. This review uses linked manufacturer documentation. We have not tested this product hands-on.
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THE SHORT ANSWER

Our take

The LaCie Little Disk 301870 fits a narrow use: a 500GB portable archive or transfer drive for a host with a confirmed USB 2.0 or FireWire 400/800 connection. Its integrated retractable USB lead and cap may reduce loose pieces in a carry kit. This is a legacy connection choice, not a current-speed recommendation. The saved evidence does not settle modern host compatibility, the present power arrangement, the contents of a current seller's box, or the condition of any individual unit.

Consider it for

A modest-capacity carry drive for an older host whose USB 2.0 or FireWire 400/800 path has been checked.

Look elsewhere if

Buyers who need verified USB-C or current operating-system compatibility, known bus-powered operation, a larger archive, or a current exact Amazon offer.

Pros & cons

What could work for you, and what to consider before buying.

What works in its favor

  • The exact-model listing identifies a 500GB, 2.5-inch portable HDD with USB 2.0 and FireWire 400/800.
  • The integrated extractable USB lead and removable cap can reduce the number of separate parts to carry.
  • The exact reference 301870 is distinguishable from USB-only Little Disk family models.

What to weigh up

  • The advertised 500GB capacity can be restrictive for a growing library or large backup set.
  • The old OS requirements do not establish present-day compatibility or adapter support.
  • Power details, current package contents, current Amazon identity, and an individual unit's condition remain unverified.

The key details

Published product specifications
Model covered301870
Advertised capacity500GB advertised capacity
Drive configurationPortable 2.5-inch HDD
Host connectionUSB 2.0, FireWire 400 and FireWire 800

Performance figures are manufacturer claims. Source checked October 8, 2026. Regional models and included accessories can differ.

What the features mean for you

Will one of its listed ports fit your host?

Newegg's exact-model listing identifies USB 2.0, FireWire 400, and FireWire 800 for reference 301870. That gives an older computer or workflow a reason to consider it when one of those actual host connections is available. A connector that looks similar is not enough to establish a working path: the source does not verify a FireWire-to-modern-host adapter, driver, or operating-system combination. If the computer you use requires USB-C or another current interface, confirm the complete connection chain before buying. The listed interface is evidence about this model's ports, not a compatibility test on today's equipment.

Is 500GB enough for the job?

This is an advertised 500GB hard disk in a portable 2.5-inch format, not a high-capacity desktop archive. It can suit a modest set of files, a limited transfer job, or a secondary copy for an older computer. It is a poor fit when the current collection already approaches that nominal capacity or is expected to grow quickly. Formatted usable space is lower than the advertised figure. The saved source gives no measured transfer result for a particular host, and the interface names should not be used to promise a specific copy time.

Does the attached USB lead make travel easier?

The exact listing describes an extractable USB cable integrated into the enclosure and a removable cap. For moving between desks, an attached lead can mean one less ordinary cable to remember, while the cap covers the connector area in storage. Those details describe convenience, not drop protection, water resistance, cable durability, or the condition of a used unit. The archived retailer package list also names separate FireWire cables and a USB power-sharing cable, but that is not evidence about what a current seller will include. Ask for the actual cable and accessory list if FireWire or a low-powered USB port is central to the setup.

What do the old software and power notes establish?

The retail page lists Mac OS X 10.5 or later and Windows 2000, XP, and Vista. These are historical requirements, not a promise that the drive or its bundled utilities will work with a current system. The Little Disk family datasheet describes USB power for USB-only models, but its model table does not include 301870; that power statement must not be transferred to this FireWire-equipped version. The exact listing's archived box contents mention a power-sharing cable for low-powered USB ports, which still does not establish the present drive's power behavior or the accessories supplied with a particular used unit. Confirm both with the seller.

What should you confirm before ordering a 301870?

The source row's historical ASIN B002SOKFMO is not a current exact-model mapping. Use a tagged model search, then compare the seller's complete reference, black 500GB configuration, and interface list with the 301870 identity. Ask whether the unit has been tested, what USB and FireWire cables are included, how it is powered, and what return terms apply. The saved material does not establish an individual drive's health, current price, availability, or operating-system support. If the seller cannot answer the connection and condition questions, a better-documented model that matches the computer you use today is a safer fit.

What else to compare

Explore this category →

Before you buy

Can I connect this to a USB-C computer?

The exact-model source lists USB 2.0 and FireWire 400/800, not USB-C. It does not verify any particular adapter, driver, or current operating-system path, so check the full host setup before relying on it.

Is the 301870 definitely bus-powered?

That is not established. The related family datasheet omits model 301870, and its USB-power details cannot be transferred to this FireWire-equipped unit. Confirm the power arrangement and included accessories with the seller.

Does historical ASIN B002SOKFMO identify a current 301870 offer?

No current exact Amazon mapping was verified. Use the tagged exact-model search destination and confirm reference 301870 in the seller's actual listing.

Where can I check the current price?

Use the Amazon link for current offers. Check the exact model, seller, product condition, delivery, and return terms. This page does not display a live price or confirm stock.

Sources & review basis

We use the following manufacturer documentation for the product features above. Our suitability notes and buying advice are editorial judgments based on those features, not measured performance results.

Read our research and update process →

The decision

The LaCie Little Disk 301870 fits a narrow use: a 500GB portable archive or transfer drive for a host with a confirmed USB 2.0 or FireWire 400/800 connection. Its integrated retractable USB lead and cap may reduce loose pieces in a carry kit. This is a legacy connection choice, not a current-speed recommendation. The saved evidence does not settle modern host compatibility, the present power arrangement, the contents of a current seller's box, or the condition of any individual unit.

Is it the right fit?

Check the exact model and today’s offers on Amazon.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.