PRODUCT NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Faster than Fast - LaCie 12x4x32x CD-RW

New LaCie 12X CD-RW is Fastest Burner for Macintosh Computers
Amazing 12x recording speed burns a full CD in about 6 minutes
4x rewrites for fast backup/archiving, 32x read performance
Shipped with Windows and Macintosh recording utilities for $459

SAN FRANCISCO (January 12, 2000) LaCie unveiled its fastest CD-RW drive
yet at Macworld San Francisco last week. Previously, the best drives could
only burn at 8x speeds.

When in 12x CD-R mode, the LaCie CDRW-12432 writes a complete 650MB CD in
about 6 minutes, the industry's highest CD recording speed. The SCSI-2
drive can also be used to write/rewrite CD-RW media at 4x speed, the
industry's fastest rewrite speed. By replacing the older Constant Linear
Velocity (CLV) technology with Constant Angular Velocity (CAV) technology,
the LaCie CD-RW drive also provides 32x playback and fast, 150ms access.

Mike Mihalik, vice president of engineering at LaCie U.S. describes
recording to CD-R/RW media at high speeds as a balancing act that requires
the computer, hard drive, CD-R/RW recorder and media to be in sync. "Mac
power users have embraced CD-R technology, and have asked us for even
faster drives," he explained. "Our new 12x4x32x drive should make them very
happy--it delivers the best drive at a very affordable price."

The new drive performs all of the decoding and encoding functions, as well
as digital servo, computer interface and other functions that are required
to support 12x recording," he continued. "This new drive takes advantage of
the increased throughput available in Apple's newest computers available
today."

The CDRW-12432 comes bundled with the LaCie Recording Utilities CD package
which includes all the necessary software on a single CD-ROM for both PC
and Macintosh environments: Adaptec Easy CD Creator for Windows 95/98/NT,
and Adaptec Toast Standard Edition for Macintosh systems. Linux users may
download X-CD-Roast from the Internet.

To enhance reliability, special data verify capabilities and a media
condition check are included. For added convenience, the LaCie CDRW-12432
drive features an automatic loading mechanism and emergency disc ejection
function.

Recognizing that initially, 12X media may be in short supply, LaCie has
made the drive compatible with most leading 8X CD-R media. Quality 8X media
will be checked by the drive, and burned at 12X if possible. If media is
not 12X capable, the drive will automatically downshift to 8X. All LaCie
branded 8X media is 12X compatible.

Availability and Pricing
The LaCie CDRW-12432 is available through LaCie's accredited resellers and
mail order partners at an estimated street price of $459. The 12x CD-RW
drive comes in LaCie's rugged, stackable casing and includes LaCie
Recording Utilities, and an international power supply. LaCie also offers a
complete range of CD-R and CD-RW media, including 8x-and 12x-certified CD-R
media and 4x-certified CD-RW media.

About LaCie
Founded in 1987, LaCie is a world leader in the development and manufacture
of cross-platform mass storage, digital video and color-management computer
peripherals for personal, business, industrial and multimedia environments.
In addition to its U.S. development, marketing and manufacturing facilities
in Hillsboro, OR, LaCie has its corporate office in Massy, France, and
sales offices in Canada and 10 European countries. LaCie Group SA is a
French public company listed on the Paris Nouveau March (code 5431). For
more information, contact LaCie, Ltd. at 22985 NW Evergreen Parkway;
Hillsboro, OR 97124 or call (503) 844-4500, Fax (503) 844-4593. Visit
LaCie's Web site at www.lacie.com
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LaCie CDRW-12432 Specifications

Recording speed 12x--1800Kbytes/sec
Rewriting speed 4x--600Kbytes/sec
Reading speed 32x--4800Kbytes/sec
Technology Partial CLV/CAV *
Buffer size 2 MB
Access time 150 ms
Interface Ultra SCSI
Supported operating systems Windows 95/98, NT 4.0, Macintosh
CD formats supported CD-ROM, CD-ROM XA, CD-DA, CD-I, CD-Bridge, CD-Extra, Video CD CD-R & CD-RW
Recording methods Disc-at-once, Session-a-once Track-at-once, Packet writing (fixed and variable) DAO and packet-writing requires optional software
Power supply 100 - 240 V, 60W International
Model d2 model
Warranty 1 year