Not Compatible With Other Sony Products

I recently purchased a DSC-M1 and upgraded to a 1GB Memory Stick Pro Duo. I planned to use this with a Vaio Desktop PCV-RX762 and at varying times, as many as four different Vaio laptops ranging in age from 3 years to 1. I also have a Sony Ericsson 910 phone that uses Memory Stick Pro Duo as well.

To make a long story short, when the Pro Duo stick did not work when inserted into its adapter, I spent the morning searching for what I assumed would be a software or driver upgrade that would allow the Vaios to read the Pro Duo stick. I then paid $20 for Sony telephone help only to be told Memory Stick Pro Duo does not work with these “old” Vaio devices. (Note: the agent said that part of the problem was the size of the 1 GB device but the 32 Mb one does not work either.)

I understand the need to move on in terms of new technologies and at some point there is an end to what will be backwards compatible. However, Sony has not come even close to making clear the fact that their brand new devices that use Memory Stick Pro Duo will not work with their existing computers. In fact, they are dangerously close to appearing to purposely mislead consumers, which is easily the basis for class action suit.

I have only owned Sony digital cameras (5 still and 4 camcorders including 2 DV CAM used at work) and for the past 10 years only Vaio computers both for home and work. That stops today. What was an “elegant” if not expensive solution to compatibility between all them obviously is not any longer. I am upgrading all the PC’s when Vista comes out later this year and while I do not know what I will buy I do know it will not be Sony. Nor will I any longer buy Sony digital image products. They got me but never again.