Performance: 32 out of 40.
On the one hand the LaCie 1Big Dock offers excellent performance in many scenarios, and can indeed combine three separate components into one neat and tidy package. On the other, as a dock its performance is merely adequate due to lack of extra USB ports. Many-to-most people will need to use an external USB hub in addition to this ‘all in one’ dock. This is the flaw in the 1Big Dock design and one that could have been easily avoided.
Technological Innovation: 17 out of 20
This is one of the very few all in one docks we would actually want to own and use on a routine basis. That alone boosts the innovation factor into the stratosphere. Sadly, while it is innovative in a mostly good way the implementation is not perfect and this issue does reduce its score in this category. Hopefully a future “1Big Dock 2.0” fixes these missteps and offers a model with more USB Type-A ports, a better card reader, and maybe even more charging capabilities.
Build Quality & Warranty: 20 out of 20
In this category the 1Big Dock knocks it out of the park. Everything from a robust chassis, to over-engineered rubber feet, to using some of the best components out there… the 1Big Dock offers it all. Mix in a five-year warranty and we have zero issues on this side of things.
Value: 16 out of 20
The value of the LaCie 1Big Dock will vary a bit more than we would like to see. What should have been a slam dunk success – seemingly high asking price or not – is marred by a few missteps. So, if you do need all the included features the LaCie 1Big Dock can easily be considered a solid 19 out of 20. If you do not… the value quickly declines. As such it is a touch niche to be considered a great overall value.
Final Score: 85 out of 100
With its blend of gorgeous looks with over-kill engineering, the LaCie 1Big Dock can easily justify its seemingly high asking price and then some. It really can indeed make a good case for replacing three discrete purchases, dock/external storage/card reader, with just one. However, in order to justify its asking price… you need to be using all three parts. Much like a three-legged stool, the moment you remove one of these three pillars its value proposition does becoming highly unstable to say the least. This will make the 1Big Dock a touch too niche for wide, mass market appeal… which is a shame as it really is a great piece of kit at an actually reasonable asking price.
