Compact Flash Reader Writer
From SIIG
SIIG CE-000042-S1 -- Easily add a CompactFlash card reader/writer to ExpressCard equipped systems. Quickly and easily adds a fully functional CompactFlash memory card reader/writer to ExpressCard/54 equipped notebook desktop computer systems, Compact design sits flush within the systems ExpressCard slot.
- Amazon Sales Rank: #6857 in Consumer Electronics
- Brand: SIIG
- Model: CE-000042-S1
- Platform: Windows
- Format: CD
- Dimensions: .14 pounds
Does the job
Just received this and tested it. It fits flush with the side of my laptop, so I plan to just leave it in all the time. When you have a CF card plugged in, it sticks out about 3/4 of an inch- makes it easy to pull out, but you probably wouldn't want to leave the CF card in all the time. Vista's built-in drivers load within seconds of plugging it in, and add a new removable disk drive to the system even if there's no CF card in. Transfers to and from my Extreme III CF card average around 15MB/s, a big improvement to the old PCMCIA adapter I was using. There's even a little plastic cover that protects the CF pins (you can see it in the picture), and slides back into the body when you push a CF card in. I've never had bent pins in a CF drive, but its a nice thought nonetheless. My only complaint is that it's a little tricky to get the CF card aligned properly when you're pushing it in, especially when this is already in your computer and you're trying to plug in the card by touch. It's not perfect, but it does the job I bought it for.
Macbook Pro Owners beware
This is no doubt a fine product. But, I just learned the hard way that there's more than one ExpressCard format. Who knew? When I was young we had PCM-CIA cards and there was one size. Now there's this new fangled deal and it comes in a variety of sizes. This device is an ExpressCard/54. My Macbook Pro is looking for an Expresscard/34. Make sure you're getting the right one for you needs.
Couldn't be better... well, almost
I purchased this adapter for my Dell laptop with Vista.
It was plug & play in the simplest form, just stick it into the expresscard slot and you're ready to go.
Transfer speed is much faster than than my USB reader and now I don't have to remember to bring the thing when I travel!
This little gizmo just lives in the laptop.
The only very slight disappointment is that the edge of the reader sticks out about 1mm from the edge of the slot.
I would have liked it better if it were flush but I don't see it as being a problem.
