Anybody having SD reader issues with Mac Studio?

[smoghat]

My M1 Ultra Mac Studio's SD card reader isn't working reliably anymore (well maybe not even at all... before it was intermittent, now maybe totally dead). I'd hate to have to give them this thing for god knows how long it'll take to repair and I have dongles, but I hate that solution. Anybody else have any similar experiences or fixes?

 

[usagora]

I've always found SD card readers on Macs to be finicky, often feeling like I had for sure fully inserted the card, yet nothing pops up on the desktop. Then I remove and re-insert it and then it will pop up, etc. Have you rebooted? Tried with multiple SD cards?

 

[smoghat]

I've always found SD card readers on Macs to be finicky, often feeling like I had for sure fully inserted the card, yet nothing pops up on the desktop. Then I remove and re-insert it and then it will pop up, etc. Have you rebooted? Tried with multiple SD cards?

Yes to all that. No luck.

 

[usagora]

Then I guess you'll have to decide how important that card reader is to you. I will say the Apple USB-C to SD card reader has worked flawlessly for me with my M1 MBA. So unless you are constantly using SD cards to the point where there's almost always one in the machine, then you may want to consider just keeping the machine and using the "dongle" instead for occasional use. I'm also not sure if it's truly the hardware or something that could be addressed by software.

A couple years ago, I discovered that neither of the 2 Thunderbolt ports on my 2012 27" iMac worked (hadn't needed to use them before that, so not sure if they were DOA or over time). However, everything else with the computer was fine.

 

[F-Train]

I'd hate to have to give them this thing for god knows how long it'll take to repair...

As you may know, you have 14 calendar days to return it and get another one. If your'e in the US or Canada, Apple stores are getting shipments of Ultras.

 

[smoghat]

14 calendar days. Don't make me laugh! How long will it take to get a new one.

And yes, I'm a photographer, so there is almost always one in the machine. I'm going on vacation in April, so I'll bring it to the Apple store before I leave and hope for the best.

 

[F-Train]

14 calendar days. Don't make me laugh! How long will it take to get a new one.

If you return this computer to a store that has an Ultra in stock, you'll have the replacement the same day. I don't know where you're located, but in some cities that possibility is not fanciful. Or you can return it for a store credit or refund and keep an eye out for the first store in your area that has an Ultra in stock.

 

[smoghat]

No way will they have it in stock. Guaranteed. It's a custom order. Also who the hell wants to reinstall everything, get new licenses for software, etc. etc.

 

[F-Train]

No way will they have it in stock. Guaranteed. It's a custom order.

He doesn't say whether he has a base or BTO Ultra. If it's the former, this is a simple exchange in an Apple store that has one in stock. If the local stores don't have one, he can do a return, get an Apple gift card for the amount (or a refund if preferred) and grab the first base Ultra that comes available locally. The main point is that he has 14 calendar days to make a return.

 

[smoghat]

He doesn't say whether he has a base or BTO Ultra. [...]

Who is he? Anyway, if he had the same trouble I did, it may be a software issue. I just was forced to install 12.3.1 and lo and behold, the SD Card reader works again. I'm shocked, actually.

 

[appletvbob]

I had to dig out some old cards... no problems. I was impressed how quickly they mounted, and a 350mb movie file played back seamlessly directly from the card. I suppose I could test writing speeds, but... nah, I never use SD anymore. Mac Studio Max.

 

[khangfu]

I'm having problems on mine as well. It works on some cards and on others, it shows up and then finder freezes. I plugged in an external card reader and it seems to work fine through that. Not sure whats going on. Hopefully a software update will fix it.

 

[TightLines]

Then I guess you'll have to decide how important that card reader is to you. I will say the Apple USB-C to SD card reader has worked flawlessly for me with my M1 MBA. So unless you are constantly using SD cards to the point where there's almost always one in the machine, then you may want to consider just keeping the machine and using the "dongle" instead for occasional use. I'm also not sure if it's truly the hardware or something that could be addressed by software.

A couple years ago, I discovered that neither of the 2 Thunderbolt ports on my 2012 27" iMac worked (hadn't needed to use them before that, so not sure if they were DOA or over time). However, everything else with the computer was fine.

For as much of a premium Apple charges for some of the things they include or offer with their products, non functioning ports/card readers is a really big deal; and just ignoring or finding a work around should not be even remotely considered as okay. We aren’t talking about the infancy of technology days anymore where we needed to protect and foster the desire of these companies to innovate and produce, thereby reducing their liabilities and exposure to consumer protections. Apple needs to step up and start making sure the technology they are using/selling to the public is as robust and reliable as humanly possible. Otherwise they should be subjected to the same types of sanctions and penalties as other industries are when it comes to consumer protections. Let them be subjected to having to recall some of their affected devices thats already been sold… after a few incidents of that, they will change course and improve their once legendary Q&A process… now, not so legendary and mediocre at best.

Its time for Apple to live up to the premiums they charge! Like their outlandish pricing on “certified“ Thunderbolt 4 cables, etc… until people force Apple to account, they will only get worse and worse by using lower quality materials and methods used to produce the things they sell… kinda like their latest Studio Displays, where they openly mock the Apple enthusiast.

 

[usagora]

For as much of a premium Apple charges for some of the things they include or offer with their products, non functioning ports/card readers is a really big deal; and just ignoring or finding a work around should not be even remotely considered as okay. We aren’t talking about the infancy of technology days anymore where we needed to protect and foster the desire of these companies to innovate and produce, thereby reducing their liabilities and exposure to consumer protections. Apple needs to step up and start making sure the technology they are using/selling to the public is as robust and reliable as humanly possible. Otherwise they should be subjected to the same types of sanctions and penalties as other industries are when it comes to consumer protections. Let them be subjected to having to recall some of their affected devices thats already been sold… after a few incidents of that, they will change course and improve their once legendary Q&A process… now, not so legendary and mediocre at best.

Its time for Apple to live up to the premiums they charge! Like their outlandish pricing on “certified“ Thunderbolt 4 cables, etc… until people force Apple to account, they will only get worse and worse by using lower quality materials and methods used to produce the things they sell… kinda like their latest Studio Displays, where they openly mock the Apple enthusiast.

OP could've returned the computer if felt it was that important. He apparently did not think it was that important. But if you read further, his issue was solved with a software update. I think Apple's products are very robust/reliable on the whole. But nobody hops on here to tell us that all their ports are working ok - we only hear from people who are having issues, so we start to think "Oh my, look at all these people having issues" and falsely conclude that they are the majority.