Internal Card Reader Suggestions

[VoodooChileCG]

So my internal card reader just died on me. It's a little over a year old, so maybe that's their life span. Anyway, I need suggestions for a new one. Anyone have any recommendations? All my preferences are is that it be a multi card reader capable of reading all the main cards. If it's black, even better since that's what color my tower is; but that's not mandatory. I'm just curious to know if anyone has had any luck with a certain brand or whatnot. The one I'm using now is a SIIG all in one.



Thanks,


-Chris

[willowtree]

I have 2x Apacer AE101 Internal Card Readers (in different PCs) for a few years now

[VoodooChileCG]

thanks for the suggestion. ill definitely look into that one.

[In2Photos]

I bought a cheapo Rosewill for $12 from Newegg. Works fine, plugged right in and just worked.

[philmar]

I don't bother with an internal reader. If they break down they are a PITA to replace. My Sandisk USB reader is more durable and is portable (can be used on other PCs/laptops). And it can help me use my CF cards as memory storage to get files between other pcs.

[woupsman]

If you get one make sure it will read sdhc cards. I thought mine went bad but found out it would just not read the sd cars with high capicity (sdhc)

[In2Photos]

I don't bother with an internal reader. If they break down they are a PITA to replace. My Sandisk USB reader is more durable and is portable (can be used on other PCs/laptops). And it can help me use my CF cards as memory storage to get files between other pcs.
I wouldn't go that far. :lol: Sure it would be more difficult to replace than an external, but then again, so is a hard drive. You wouldn't want to use all externals "just in case" right? I installed mine in less than two minutes. I could replace it in less than five (and even less if I had done a tool-less installation). I still have an external that I can use for my laptop if needed as well, or as a backup.

[VoodooChileCG]

I bought a cheapo Rosewill for $12 from Newegg. Works fine, plugged right in and just worked.


yeah i was looking at one of the rosewill ones. they look pretty nice. i have a rosewill power supply in my computer and its been great. maybe ill give the card reader a shot.

[willowtree]

As Woupsman pointed out - make sure it will read sdhc cards The Apacer does, plus it has a USB2 port available - which is handy if your case doesn't have one.

It is also worth having a external reader too, a no name multi-reader is only 3 USD, while a Internal is 10 USD. (SE Asia prices).

I can see the only advantage of a more expensive one will be transfer speed.

[Duncan Frenz]

My rig is built in an Antec Skeleton 'case' so I went with an external reader. I wanted something that could be placed on my desktop and not scream plastic, so I got this...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820176011

It is aluminum, bombproof, and it reads every card I have thrown at it flawlessly.

[DEMO]

Just picked up a rosewill card reader and for $11.00 shipped, you really can't go wrong.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y11/typeralph/Cardreader.jpg

[VoodooChileCG]

that rosewill one looks nice. i found an AFT that doesnt look bad either. it looks pretty indestructible too.

[In2Photos]

I bought a cheapo Rosewill for $12 from Newegg. Works fine, plugged right in and just worked.
OK, an update. The Rosewill doesn't work now! :( The other day I went to use it and I got a pop up saying that the device could perform better if it were plugged in to a hi speed port. :confused: Excuse me! This is a brand new machine with all hi speed ports, internal and external. So last night I tried a few things, update drivers, uninstall/reinstall, move to a different port on the mobo, nothing worked. So I think I am sending it back to Newegg. And after looking at the other models I think I might just stick with the old reliable, external Sandisk. Did a test copying about 3GB from an Extreme III CF card, the Sandisk was just under 18MB/sec for about 2.5 minutes of transfer. The Rosewill was at about 400KB/sec. :confused:

[VoodooChileCG]

OK, an update. The Rosewill doesn't work now! :( The other day I went to use it and I got a pop up saying that the device could perform better if it were plugged in to a hi speed port. :confused: Excuse me! This is a brand new machine with all hi speed ports, internal and external. So last night I tried a few things, update drivers, uninstall/reinstall, move to a different port on the mobo, nothing worked. So I think I am sending it back to Newegg. And after looking at the other models I think I might just stick with the old reliable, external Sandisk. Did a test copying about 3GB from an Extreme III CF card, the Sandisk was just under 18MB/sec for about 2.5 minutes of transfer. The Rosewill was at about 400KB/sec. :confused:

funny you should mention that! that message happened to me for a few weeks and then my card reader failed. i couldn't tell which device it was talking about because i have so many usb ports anyway :rolleyes:. now that i read your post i notice that i haven't seen that message since my card reader crapped out on me. that must be a clue that it will fail soon or something...

[Sean]

Anyone know of a FAST internal reader? Mine is slllooooowww.

[YP5 Toronto]

on my list of things to buy if I feel board:

Interal CF Reader via SATA connection

http://www.startech.com/item/35BAYCF2SAT-Compact-Flash-Card-to-SATA-Adapter-with-35-Bay-Enclosure.aspx

[In2Photos]

funny you should mention that! that message happened to me for a few weeks and then my card reader failed. i couldn't tell which device it was talking about because i have so many usb ports anyway :rolleyes:. now that i read your post i notice that i haven't seen that message since my card reader crapped out on me. that must be a clue that it will fail soon or something...
I emailed Rosewill support and got some suggestions so I will run through them before I RMA the unit just in case. I wish someone made a quality internal reader. They all just look like junk, unless you buy a Dell or HP with their dedicated readers. I wonder if they work any better!
on my list of things to buy if I feel board:

Interal CF Reader via SATA connection

http://www.startech.com/item/35BAYCF2SAT-Compact-Flash-Card-to-SATA-Adapter-with-35-Bay-Enclosure.aspx

Interesting! I wish it had more than just a CF slot. I don't mind paying for quality, especially after my reader started the USB 1.1 crap.

[In2Photos]

I emailed Rosewill support and got some suggestions so I will run through them before I RMA the unit just in case. I wish someone made a quality internal reader. They all just look like junk, unless you buy a Dell or HP with their dedicated readers. I wonder if they work any better!

I ran through all the suggestions with no luck. Teh next email from Rosewill said to send it back to Newegg. It is leaving today!

I did order a replacement. I found an internal/external that doesn't have much out there about it but looks promising. It is the AFT Pro-35u (http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=3&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newegg.com%2FProduct%2FProduc t.aspx%3FItem%3DN82E16820176015&ei=g8rMSduCHM_ulQep-8TICQ&usg=AFQjCNFPu4-kipjNdZWyzsUxp4vZWIWxOA&sig2=_IwmHyGpsKOqf8xwR7vgwQ). I'll let everyone know how it turns out.