Your LaCie product features Thunderbolt 2 technology, the most flexible interface ever created. When connected to a computer that supports Thunderbolt 2 technology, your LaCie device can reach up to 20Gb/s, bi-directional, on a single port, the fastest data connection available on a personal computer.
You can also use Thunderbolt 2 technology storage devices with computers that support first generation Thunderbolt. However, you will be limited to first generation technology transfer rates, up to 10Gb/s, bi-directional.
Thanks to support for both data streams and mini DisplayPort video, you can connect either a storage peripheral or a display to a Thunderbolt port. However, it's not possible to use a mini DisplayPort cable to connect a storage peripheral to a Thunderbolt port. You must use a Thunderbolt cable.
USB is a serial input/output technology for connecting peripheral devices to a computer. SuperSpeed USB 3.0 is the latest implementation of this standard, and it provides higher bandwidth and new power management features.
Transfer rates can attain up to 5 Gbits/s as opposed to USB 2.0's 480 Mbits/s. This means USB 3.0 is theoretically up to ten times faster than its predecessor.
Your LaCie drive is shipped with a SuperSpeed USB 3.0 cable to ensure maximum data transfer performance when connected to a compatible USB 3.0 port. The cable will also work when connected to a USB 2.0 or 1.1 port, but drive performance will be limited to their respective transfer rates.