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Why no Card Reader on new iMacs?
- Thread starter FoxHoundADAM
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Let's get back on topic here.
Someone mentioned lack of demand, I'd like to know who DOESN'T have some usb card reads on their mac. How else do you people upload your pictures and what not?
Someone mentioned lack of demand, I'd like to know who DOESN'T have some usb card reads on their mac. How else do you people upload your pictures and what not?
I always just plugged my camera into a USB port. I'm not what you'd call a photographer though.
I don't have one. On my camera, it is faster for me to plug it in to the computer rather than take the SD card out. And when I do take the card out, I usually forget to put it back in the camera.
So to connect my camera I use the USB cable that came with it.
Floppy Disk
May be Apple should bring back the floppy drives. My Sony camera uses a 3 1/2 HD disk on it.
(Which are hard to get now these days). Yeah if Apple brought back the floppy drive, then I would have to use this LS 128 drive. (Almost the same size as the ZIP disks but higher)
Hugh
May be Apple should bring back the floppy drives. My Sony camera uses a 3 1/2 HD disk on it.
(Which are hard to get now these days). Yeah if Apple brought back the floppy drive, then I would have to use this LS 128 drive. (Almost the same size as the ZIP disks but higher) Hugh
USB does me fine for transferring images of my camera(canon d50) even with having used multiple cards i would rather transfer with USB than go out and buy a card reader.
The only people i have seen use card readers are ones that have them pre installed but the did not go out of there way to get a pre installed card reader and 2 of them got built in card readers that did not support there cards (sony memory stick).
The only people i have seen use card readers are ones that have them pre installed but the did not go out of there way to get a pre installed card reader and 2 of them got built in card readers that did not support there cards (sony memory stick).
No they will not, but i understand.
MiniDisplay is a variant on HDMI and an adapter for other sources would be nice.
And I think it wouldn't be a tragedy to put a card reader on the bottom next to the ram door or the back at the very least. I use Micro SDHC all the time, with an adapter of course and I'd love to kill the card reader.
Was thinking much the same, it would be a nice and simple addition.
Though I'm waiting for an Apple mouse/gesture pad to replace the Mighty Mouse/mouse mat!
Mini Display port is a variant of Display port the new standard for computer displays that supports higher resolutions than HDMI which is a television standard not entirely suitable for computer displays as it is limited to a max resolution of 1900x1080.
Display port and mini display port support up to and beyond 2560x1600 and is royalty free, HDMI costs 4cents per device in royalties.
Both support DRM for playback of Blu ray movies and both carry sound on the cable as well with the exception of mini display port.
I'd like to see side mounted USB & firewire ports along with SDHD & CF card readers. Would be enough as that'd enable the quick attachment of USB & firewire devices without having either kneel on the desk or move the iMac forwards & cover the majority of flash media devices. Certainly the 5 cameras, 3 PDAs, 3 mobiles, 2 GPS, 3 Car head units, 2 data loggers & 1 cordless phone that exist in my house would be covered by just those with use of adapters for the micro & mini-SD cards.
At the end of the day I have sitting on my desk a card reader, a usb hub plus flying USB & firewire leads. As I use a wireless keyboard and mouse I don't even have the option of using the keyboard usb ports.
At the end of the day I have sitting on my desk a card reader, a usb hub plus flying USB & firewire leads. As I use a wireless keyboard and mouse I don't even have the option of using the keyboard usb ports.
Yes there are applications where you can just plug the device in. That said the whole point of using flash media for the last 3 items on the list above is that then you don't need direct PC access to the devices which can be located in awkward places for direct access or in my case no longer have any need for a laptop.
Odd you should say this, my 3 year old card reader actually supports everything available today & is as fast or faster than all but my new dSLR for data transfers, though it requires adapters for the smaller cars form factors but I just find this makes the cards easier to handle.
Well my Dell display at work has 2 usb ports & a card reader that are easily accessible but I never notice unless I'm using them, which is actually a useful feature because I can see when I've left a card/USB pen drive in the machine by accident.
Or how about people who buy high end printers that are Ethernet attached thus lacking things like flash card readers etc?
I second that, 2 of the critters that you can use easily please.
You know that's a really good idea. I'd understand if they did want the base model keyboard to have one but a possible upgrade. Apple would like it too as they love pushing new hardware.
No, it adds cost and complexity to provide a feature that many don't need. Those who do can add a USB card reader for $15. The assumption here is always that Apple should provide it "free".
i use this card reader
i dont remeber the model number but its made by i-rocks. bought it off newegg.com for 10 bucks i believe. its a great peice of hardware, nice and white and it matches my white macbook. might match with a alum imac maybe.
i dont remeber the model number but its made by i-rocks. bought it off newegg.com for 10 bucks i believe. its a great peice of hardware, nice and white and it matches my white macbook. might match with a alum imac maybe.
I can suggest doing what I do: unplug it after you copy your pictures or whatever from it.
Nope...in my house, one camera uses Memory Stick Pro Duo, one uses either XD or CF, one uses Smart Media (yes, it's old), one phone uses MicroSD and the other is an iPhone. I know that technically the MicroSD will work in a SD slot, but there's no inherent reason for me to favor SD over any other format. That's why we have card readers.
You should've bought a good-looking USB card reader then. They're not much more expensive than the ugly ones.
Or, just unplug it after you copy data from it.
Why should the iMac include an SD card reader? Why not CF? Why not MS? Why not all of the above and more?
Or, why not just include a USB port where I can plug in whatever reader I choose?
Overall, this thread is a joke. It's nothing but post after post of apologism disguised.
On my just purchased Thinkpad X200s there's a card reader. It's small, and it's the size of any SD-card reader.
However, it's a 5-in-1, and what do you know, it reads:
SDHC-cards
SD-cards
Mini-SD(HC) cards (with an adaptor
Micro-SD(HC) cards
Oh, there's more than just one to go, in case you figured I ignored the "I don't want to favour SD cards"-remarks.
It also reads:
Memory Stick
Memory Stic Pro
MultiMediaCard
Now, in bigger computers, you can get 7-in-1 card readers.
So, just because it's inbuilt, doesn't mean you have to "favor" a certain format. Actually, since it can take quite a lot of different formats, it means you can carry a smaller external or one less external card reader for that odd format you want to use.
I simply don't get why you (a general "you", not Tomorrow in particular) try to make it look like having an inbuilt reader will somehow limit your choices.
With regards to CF? Well, I have just ordered an Expresscard-CF adaptor for the ExpressCard slot in the X200s, seeing as that is the wide 54mm EC slot as opposed to the 34mm on my MBP. By doing so, I, the enduser have in effect just added a CF-slot since I use those cards for my audio recorder.
I also happen to use SDHC-cards for my private camera and audio player, Micro-sd(hc) cards for my phone.
Now, I don't use Memory sticks and so on, because they're a propietary format, but if I met you you be able to plug your cards into my computer with no worries and no loss of functionality on my behalf.
I guess that some people like propietary and just luuvvs dongles and cables.
In fact, I have three USB ports on my X200s, my 15" MBP ony have two USB ports. It's not like macs have plenty of ports to use. You'll soon run out if you want to, say, transfer pictures from your USB card reader to an external harddisk, keeping in mind that MB's and MBPs very often have to use two USB ports to drive an external HDD (they're a tad on the low side when it comes to voltage to spin up harddrives).
What are you talking about? It's not like it will cost them much. I paid, I guess, 10 bucks more for the 5-in-1 including a modem (yes, that's useful when out and about).
This has been mentioned before, but many people don't want to sit around waiting for a slow-as-molasses camera in order to have their files transferred. Only a select few cameras can transfer at proper speeds through the usb port, even if they do sport a "USB 2.0" logo.
You figure it's much more "future" to have no option whatsoever? Yup, that truly is backwards thinking – Imagine that: Having the "option" to carry around dongles and cables, when you could have it inbuilt to use whenever.
I guess you'd prefer to have an external GPS on that iPhone of yours, as well as an external 3G dongle instead of tethering your phone, or - shock-horror! - have an inbuilt 3G card in your computer. Haha, yes, that is soo backwards
All in all, it seems like what most care about is having it look "neat", not actually doing anything on their computers. Well, at least not efficiently, judging by this thread.
On my just purchased Thinkpad X200s there's a card reader. It's small, and it's the size of any SD-card reader.
However, it's a 5-in-1, and what do you know, it reads:
SDHC-cards
SD-cards
Mini-SD(HC) cards (with an adaptor
Micro-SD(HC) cards
Oh, there's more than just one to go, in case you figured I ignored the "I don't want to favour SD cards"-remarks.
It also reads:
Memory Stick
Memory Stic Pro
MultiMediaCard
Now, in bigger computers, you can get 7-in-1 card readers.
So, just because it's inbuilt, doesn't mean you have to "favor" a certain format. Actually, since it can take quite a lot of different formats, it means you can carry a smaller external or one less external card reader for that odd format you want to use.
I simply don't get why you (a general "you", not Tomorrow in particular) try to make it look like having an inbuilt reader will somehow limit your choices.
Well, if by "MS" you mean Memory Stick, I suggest you read my post once again.
With regards to CF? Well, I have just ordered an Expresscard-CF adaptor for the ExpressCard slot in the X200s, seeing as that is the wide 54mm EC slot as opposed to the 34mm on my MBP. By doing so, I, the enduser have in effect just added a CF-slot since I use those cards for my audio recorder.
I also happen to use SDHC-cards for my private camera and audio player, Micro-sd(hc) cards for my phone.
Now, I don't use Memory sticks and so on, because they're a propietary format, but if I met you you be able to plug your cards into my computer with no worries and no loss of functionality on my behalf.
I guess that some people like propietary and just luuvvs dongles and cables.
Since when does including a card reader exclude a USB port?
In fact, I have three USB ports on my X200s, my 15" MBP ony have two USB ports. It's not like macs have plenty of ports to use. You'll soon run out if you want to, say, transfer pictures from your USB card reader to an external harddisk, keeping in mind that MB's and MBPs very often have to use two USB ports to drive an external HDD (they're a tad on the low side when it comes to voltage to spin up harddrives).
What are you talking about? It's not like it will cost them much. I paid, I guess, 10 bucks more for the 5-in-1 including a modem (yes, that's useful when out and about).
This has been mentioned before, but many people don't want to sit around waiting for a slow-as-molasses camera in order to have their files transferred. Only a select few cameras can transfer at proper speeds through the usb port, even if they do sport a "USB 2.0" logo.
Ha, ha, that is indeed very funny!May be Apple should bring back the floppy drives. My Sony camera uses a 3 1/2 HD disk on it.
You figure it's much more "future" to have no option whatsoever? Yup, that truly is backwards thinking – Imagine that: Having the "option" to carry around dongles and cables, when you could have it inbuilt to use whenever.
I guess you'd prefer to have an external GPS on that iPhone of yours, as well as an external 3G dongle instead of tethering your phone, or - shock-horror! - have an inbuilt 3G card in your computer. Haha, yes, that is soo backwards
All in all, it seems like what most care about is having it look "neat", not actually doing anything on their computers. Well, at least not efficiently, judging by this thread.
Sounds great. My iMac doesn't have anything built-in, so I have an external. Especially since I need to read Compact Flash as well.
Read the context of my quote; it was in response to a user who feels that "everything uses a SD card." The users I quoted are advocating that Apple include a built-in SD card reader, not a 5-in-1. My reply was in response to that.
Sounds lovely. My external claims to read 15 formats - I can't vouch for that, since I've only tried it with five. Works great, and I can unplug it when I'm not using it.
It doesn't, but it's adding a feature I don't need or want in the case of SD.
Sounds lovely. My iMac doesn't have an Expresscard slot, so I'll keep using my wonderfully effective USB reader.
Next time you're in my neighborhood and I need to have pics copied to your computer, I'll keep that in mind.
I didn't buy the Sony camera because of the card it uses; I bought it because I liked the camera. Being proprietary had absolutely nothing to do with my choice. Using a MS card is no big deal; using a USB 15-in-one isn't a big deal, either. Like I said, I plug it in for all of 2-3 minutes, copy off the pictures, then unplug it and put it away. Not a hassle at all. It's every bit as easy as plugging in my iPod or iPhone to sync, except the "cable" is all of two inches long. Plus, I can use it on every computer in the house, plus my work laptop - how easily can your Thinkpad do that?
Good question - who said that adding a reader will exclude a USB port? I said that as long as I have a USB port I'm okay.
I HAVE a USB card reader. In fact it only cost me $5 with free shipping. My complaint about a lack of reader is about convenience and cosmetic.
Yes I can just unplug the card reader when I'm not using it, but it's just something else I have to keep here in my draw of my many cables and electronic accessories.
yeah. i know what you mean - everyone in my family swears by card readers. personally.. i'd rather have a USB cable for the camera and just do it that way though... i mean every camera i've bought in the past includes it so why pay extra to do the same thing.
IMO it also reduced wear+tear on the card and the camera internals itself.. not that it would be a big deal.. but still
There would be no problems having a CF-reader on a big computer. A stationary at that.
To be far, SD and its siblings and daughters are pretty widespread.
Again, I realise your card reader is more potent than mine. But I did say that it would allow you to carry a smaller one or simply forego it. I wouldn't want to have a card reader your size in my ultraportable, thank you
So you figure that if apple added a card reader, they'be actually be upping the price 50 cents or that it somehow would be unsightly on your iMac? What about getting everything wireless then and nix every and all ports, because that seems to be the result of that thinking if taken to the extreme.
It was an example to show you that if done properly it's not something unsightly. You don't even notice its there – and this is in a laptop.
Well, you wouldn't be allowed to, because I would insist that _for you only_ you would need to BYO external cable and readerNext time you're in my neighborhood and I need to have pics copied to your computer, I'll keep that in mind.
Erm, that was kind of the opposite of what I intended. I didn't mean that some would actually choose something because it was proprietary, but that they liked proprietary enough to not try to avoid it, not realising that down the line, you would have to work around it.
Nope. Not a hassle, but I'm arguing annoyance and a limitation of functionality.
Actually, it's not as easy as that. It's the equivalent of taking the flash card out of the something, putting it into the iPhone and then connect that and transfer it.
It's the equivalent of having to go get your dock from a drawer or shelf and connect that to your computer before you get to plugin your iPod and iPhone.
No problem. Well, except on my MBP, of course. For that I need to get one of my readers.
It reads as if it's a choice between having a single usb port giving you a choice OR having a card reader limiting your choices.
Why don't we just let Homer Simpson design a Mac for you, I'm quite sure it won't cost too much more than a 20th anniversary Mac.
Why don't you go buy a MacBook Air to synchronise your iPhone and be done with it?
For CF format, I have a Firewire800 reader. When you're dealing with a dSLR and RAW files, you don't want to be tortured with USB.
For SD format, my USB-based Canon printer has a couple of built-in slots.
Its pretty impressive that you were able to find/buy a card reader 3 years ago that supported SDHC before it was a ratified standard...
In any event, the point here isn't to pick on you...see next comment.
Try again. The underlying issue (as illustrated above) is that Flash Media formats are still undergoing fairly rapid change, which represents a risk of obsolescence, since a built-in reader can't be readily removed & replaced.
Its not like this hasn't happened before...years ago, I can personally recall using seven (7!) different formats of 3.5" floppy disks.
And yet, there's no CF slot, which is what all older dSLRs and all higher end dSLR cameras still today all use...so an external adapter is still going to be required.
Plus the newly ratified SDXC card format isn't listed and it is known that an SDHC reader won't be compatible with SDXC.
As such, your brand new laptop already is partially obsolete (the first SDXC card was already announced, in March 09), althought in fairness, its only a figurative obsolescence at this point.
Its partly a case of "Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it", although more from the aspect of longer term Risk Management regarding obsolete subsystems that are in non-upgradable implimentations (eg, built-in readers).
Recall that Optical Media has just essentially ended their HD-DVD versus Blu-Ray battle with a declared winner & loser. The problem is that the standards battle in Flash Media has been long and it remains unresolved. That's why there are these "24 in 1" readers for sale on the marketplace.
And sure, while the SD family is doing well today, the 'standards problem' is that xD and Memory Stick still haven't been killed off even in P&S cameras, so there's no signs yet that that "24 in 1" can be figuratively superseded with a "22 in 1".
Since the EC slot is a "user-maintainable" peripheral interface, that represents a lower Risk for the user, since if CF goes to non-forwards-compatible "Class N+1" tomorrow (or you ditch all your CF devices) you can replace just this adaptor rather than the entire laptop.
Actually, they're all propietary formats, including SD. Let me know if you can't find the relevant Wiki pages.
The Risk is that if the SD Consortium decides to profit more from their current marketplace success by increasing their licensing fees, the camera makers can respond (and fairly quickly) by shifting gears to use one of the competing media formats.
Overall, this is just an example of where competition is both good and bad: it keeps one dimension of prices down, but at the cost of long term stability through adopted standards. Choose your poison.
Not at all. The proprietary nature of ALL of the media card formats is ultimately the source of an adoption risk for the consumer. This then predicates the degree to which the consumer is willing to commmit (financially, etc) to adopting a particular media format.
The underlying risk management factor that's really the source of this discussion is that when the adaptor isn't built-in, there's simply a lower overall investment commitment, since its more painless for the consumer to throw away a $10 device than a $1000 laptop.
And while the laptop will continue to be useful even with an "obsolete" port built into the side, since that port can't be removed, it nevertheless still represents an incremental 'cost' to the consumer, from at least the aspect of having to carry that additional ounce (or three) of weight & size every single day.
Sure, you can that that this penalty is acceptably small, but this is a personal "YMMV" decision and not a universal "Truth" that all must abide by.
YMMV case in point: I personally look at it from the perspective of what can I eliminate for when I don't need a capability, because I value "light & small".
Thus, I don't generally bother to download photos into my laptop, since my desktop is my permanent repository and workhorse, and if I'm trying to travel light on a serious Photo trip, the 5lb laptop is "Too Heavy" so it stays at home. I use other solutions for data storage...currently, that includes 26GB worth of media cards for short trips, plus two 40GB digital wallets to give me from 66GB (redundant) to 106GB (non-redundant) storage capacity.
-hh