LaCie intros new USB 3.0-powered external drives

Lacie dropped two new USB 3.0-powered external hard drives Wednesday--a high-speed 3.0 update to the CNET-favored Rikiki and the sexy aluminum Minimus USB 3.0 desktop hard drive. Both externals are wrapped in brushed aluminum that protects the drive from scratches and light spills and also serves to dissipate heat from the drive while in use.

The two devices are compatible with Mac and PC OS and each comes bundled with 10GB of free Wuala storage in the cloud, making it easy to share files with coworkers and friends. And don't stress if your system isn't fitted with the latest USB 3.0 connection--the drives are also backward-compatible with version 2.0.

The LaCie Rikiki 3.0 will come in 500GB and 1TB capacities, but the LaCie Web site only has the 500GB in stock for $100, just $15 more than the 500GB Rikiki USB 2.0. Alternatively, the LaCie lists the 1TB Minimus USB 3.0 for $130. Both drives are available now.

More pictures of both drives after the jump.