How to determine Smartware/non-Smartware drives?

WD External Drives WD Portable Drives
1

I have bought a My Passport external hdd at October, 2010. According to the chart http://wdc.com/en/products/index.asp?cat=9 I was sure that I will can use hardware encryption. But later I was negatively surprised that there are two types of MP: with WD Sync and with WD Smartware ( http://208.74.204.62/t5/My-Passport-for-PC/My-Passport-Essential-what-about-SmartWare/td-p/6177). My one was “Sync” Edition and there is no any ability to use hw encryption other than through Smartware as I understood.

I have returned the hdd to retailer. Now I want to buy a new one, but I must be sure that I will be able to use hw encryption and Smartware tool. How to choose the disk I need? One model, but two editions. How to differ it?

2

The drives with Smartware mention Smartware and its logo (A head with cogs) on the box.

Also the model numbers for Smartware Passports are:

WDBAAExxxx: Passport Studio

WDBAACxxxx: Passport Elite

WDBAAAxxxx: Passport Essential (USB 2.0)

WDBACY5000: Passport Essential ( USB 3.0, only on 500 GB)

WDBABMxxxx: 2.0 Essential SE

WDBACXxxxx: 3.0 Essential SE

WDBAABxxxx: Passport for Mac

“xxxx” Is replaced on the drive for the capacity, which means that a 320 GB Passport Essential is listed on the box as “WDBAAA3200” and then a secondary code for the color (ASL= Silver, ABK= Black, and so on).

I hope it helps!

3

Now it’s clear. Thank you!

4

Any time, friend ^^