Buffalo HDS-PH500U2 gives you 500GB of rugged, encrypted storage

Buffalo's MiniStation DataVault series of drives is focused on data protection, from hackers and clumsy owners alike, with features like automatic full disk encryption and ruggedized shock-resistant design. The latest model, identified in Japan by the dry alphanumeric title you see above, sticks to the security-centric formula but bumps the storage to a sweet 500GB. ¥23,200 ($244) will be enough to snag the USB-powered 5,400RPM device in mid-August, and a prompt US / European release also seems highly likely. Judging by what's already available in the US, you can expect a three year warranty plus preloaded auto-backup software and mobile versions of Firefox and Thunderbird for avoiding the scourge of IE wherever you may roam.

[Via PC Watch]

[Mitch Posted Aug 6th 2009 5:41AM]

$244 Is way to much for something like this, I don't expect it to be that much when it is released here in America but I'm sure it will be well over $150.

[cashclientel Posted Aug 6th 2009 6:01AM]

apart from the design and 'ruggedness' you're just paying for the encryption and pre-loaded firefox??

[Kelemvor Posted Aug 6th 2009 8:56AM]

Will it be hardware encrypted or require software to be installed to do the encryption?

[One Love Posted Aug 6th 2009 10:27AM]

now am hungry for wings.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 6th 2009 1:59PM]

Seems a bit overpriced.

[Tayaya Posted Aug 6th 2009 12:33PM]

It's hardware encrypted. When you plug the drive into your machine a dialog box pops up asking you for the password. On Macs, you do need to install a small utility to communicate with the encryption chip on the drive controller, since the pop up dialog box that Windows gets doesn't appear on the Mac.

[patches66 Posted Aug 6th 2009 1:03PM]

anybody taken one of these (or similar) across an international border? did US, Canadian, or British customs give you a hard time about the encryption?

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 6th 2009 1:19PM]

Looks good.