Everybody has a memory card for
something, and most likely you've got several devices with several
types of memory cards and you need a way to get that data from the
card to your computer. Most cameras allow a direct connection to your
computer to transfer the pictures, but from my experience it's
usually very slow. The quickest way is a card reader that connects to
your computer, and with several cards you'll end up with several
readers, but there are all-in-ones out there read many types of cards
but not all.
Today for review USBFever has sent me over the Internal 3.5” Multi Card Reader and not only
does it incorporate an eSATA connection but it's the first reader
like this that I have seen that can read microSD cards without an
adapter, to me that's a big bonus as I've get several microSD cards
for my cellphone. This reader can read just about every card on the
market today without an adapter of any kind so that is a great
feature to have as well.
I've installed this in my computer and
there it is going to stay for quite some time to come as it is the
most useful card reader I have come across yet...
- CF Slot: CF 1/ CF 2/ Extreme
CF/ Extreme III CF/ Ultra II CF/ HS CF/ MD
- T-Flash Free Adapter
Slot:T-Flash/ Micro SD
- Mini SD Slot:T-Flash/ Mini
SD/ MMC Micro
- MMC Micro Slot: MMC Micro
- Mini SD Slot: Mini SD
System (OSs) supported:
- 98 / SE / ME / 2000 / XP /
VISTA or higher
Package
Contents:
- Internal Card Reader x 1
- SATA Cable x 1
- Connection Cable (between
card reader and mainboard) x 1
Packing:
- Color Box
A
Better Look at Things:
The Internal 3.5" Multi Card
Reader comes in a small box with pictures and specs listed on it.
Inside the box the reader is
wrapped in an anti-static bag, and included with it is a USB cable
with a motherboard header pin set, SATA cable and screws for mounting
the reader in your case.
You'll find all of the slots and
connection on the front of the reader of course, I did notice that
not every slot of labeled but you can figure it out easily by size..
I'm guessing there just wasn't enough room to fit all of the writing
on there..
The case is plastic, but the
mounting holes are metal reinforced so that's nice to see.
On the back of the housing is a
square hole that's used to run the cables through.
The housing pops apart easily to
reveal the PCB board and so you can make the connections you need to,
the USB connector is just like the type you find on a motherboard,
next to it it is the SATA connection.
Installation,
Testing and Comparison:
The Internal 3.5" Multi Card
Reader installs just like any other 3.5” device would in your case,
and of course depending on your case it might require an adapter to
complete the installation. The only problem I ran into with the
installation is that the USB cord is a bit short, it just reached my
motherboards USB header, those with larger cases might have some
difficulty getting it installed or might not be able to install it at
all without moving the reader to another slot.
There are two LEDs on the reader,
on that's always on to indicate power and one next to it that will
blink to indicate activity.
Compared to other readers I've got
and used this one works very well in comparison, but of course the
additional functions of reading microSD cards etc without an adapter
is a big plus for this reader. If you've got a cellphone or other
device that uses these tiny cards then you'll appreciate not having
to dig around for an adapter, or a specialized card reader.
Some people might not like having
only one USB port, but for me it's fine as my case has two built in
as well, so it brings my total to three that are easily accessible,
and most other cases will have USB ports built in as well so it's
really not a problem having just one.
The added functionality of the
included eSATA port is very handy as well with the increased
popularity of eSATA enabled hard drive enclosures, most motherboards
now feature an eSAT port on the back but that's not always an easily
accessible option, so having it right on the front is very nice.
Summary
and Comments:
Personally I really like the
Internal 3.5" Multi Card Reader from USBfever, and I think
anyone else who gets it will appreciate it as well.
If you've got a need for a reader
such as this I can easily recommend you get this one, not only can it
read almost every card out there without adapter, it adds eSATA
functionality as well.
DragonSteelMods gives the Internal
3.5" Multi Card Reader a 5 out of 5 score and our Editor's
Choice Award as well.
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