Storage experts, Memorex, has recently released the fastest USB CompactFlash Card Reader on the market, reading five times faster than a conventional card reader.
It is sleek, neat and really efficient.
The new reader installed like a dream from the single CD. I simply pushed the CD into the drive, followed the onscreen directions and, having popped a CompactFlash card into the card reader, another storage drive appeared on My Computer ready to receive data.
The CompactFlash card is commonly used to store data for cameras, personal digital assistants and MP3 players. It measures just one-third of the size of a conventional PC card, at just 3mm thick, and has a capacity of up to 128Mb.
Best of all, it is "solid state" and stores data on a chip. This means that it is not affected by magnetism that can wipe a floppy disk clean in seconds.
Once installed in a device, music, data or images can be recorded, stored or downloaded from the net.
An onboard controller ensures that the storage and playing processes are not disturbed by external temperature, heavy knocks or annoying vibrations.
Having placed digital images on a Compact-Flash card with a digital camera (for example), those images can then be downloaded directly on to a computer using the card reader. This speeds up the whole download process and uses up fewer expensive batteries in the camera.
The market for CompactFlash cards is currently experiencing huge growth, driven by the developments in digital cameras. Studies by IDC have estimated sales of more than eight million storage cards last year.
In 2001, this figure will probably rise to 13 million, and in 2002, to more than 22 million.
Memorex Compact-Flash cards cost £29.99 (8Mb), £39.99 (16Mb) and £69.99 (32Mb), available in retail stores. All prices include VAT. 64Mb, 96Mb and 128Mb versions are also available.
A compatibility list for the CompactFlash cards and data sheets for the complete range of Memorex products can be downloaded from its web site at www.memorexlive.com Price: £39.99 Contact: 020 8990 6600 Feel good factor: 10 out of 10
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