So, I picked up a 500GB verion of the MiniStation Metro (HD-PX500U2) having been sold on hardware encryption, rugged design, and generally favorable reviews. I plugged it into my Windows 7 laptop and the software is telling me that it doesn't support Windows 7! Really?! We're talking about a product released about half a year ago and it doesn't support Windows 7?!
Upon further investigation I found that Buffalo is releasing an updated version of the drive, HD-PXT500U2, with the same product name but different software suite compatible with Windows 7. I downloaded the new software, but it's locked from working with my drive, even though the hardware appears to be identical!
How do you justify dropping support for such a recent product? Do you realize that there are many of the units like mine in the retail channel and they are virtually indistinguishable from the new version save for a 1-letter difference in the model number? They are going to be bought and then returned by very unhappy customers for Windows 7 incompatibility ruining your brand name forever.
Are you going to release the new software for HD-PXU, or should I return my drive and steer wide and clear of Buffalo products from now on?
The product itself while unencrypted should work with windows 7. Unfortuntely the secure lockware software is not supported with windows 7 and most likely there will not be any updates for this software.
I am currently considering purchasing a HD-PX500U2 and thus wonder if Windows 7 still lacks support for this product?
It's a choice between HD-PX500U2 & HD-PXT500U2 versions for me. However problem is that the latter version i.e. HD-PXT is not yet available in stores in the country of my residence i.e. Finland.
Therefore I'm ripped in two: Do I wait for HD-PXT500U2 to hit the markets here? Or should I buy a HD-PX500U2 & accompanying software which may not fully support Windows 7? Please help!
Finally if I choose to wait for the latter models to reach Europe how long will it actually take?