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TICKET ARCHIVE -> USB memory card reader for OS X

G3User - Dec 28, 2007 - 11:52 am

Dear macosx,

I am going to buy a card reader for my mac, I just want to make sure i get one that works! I need it to read Compact Flash, and Smart Media. I like this one:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...7796&CatId=962

But not sure if it will work on my Mac. I spoke with Ultra, they said they don't officially support mac for that reader.

Can you recommend a USB card reader in this price range that will mount on my desktop? Thank you for any help.

earthsaver - Dec 28, 2007 - 1:57 pm

I can't imagine why that particular reader wouldn't work. It's just a simple USB device that interfaces between memory cards and a computer; I don't think it would require special drivers, besides the Mac's built-in mass storage driver.

However, I don't buy from Tiger due to its especially anti-Mac product lineup. I use and recommend SanDisk's 12-in-1 ImageMate reader, but you might be perfectly satisfied with this one from Other World Computing.

- Ben

nhmac - Dec 28, 2007 - 2:00 pm

I have one a lot like this (different brand but maybe same factory)

http://meritline.com/kingston-usb20-...ia-reader.html

Says it's compatible with OS X. I've never had a problem getting Macs to read these but mine this is similar to has one quirk: you want to disconnect the USB cable after ejecting the drive from the desktop, before you remove the card from the reader -- otherwise it can freeze things up weirdly. Once I figured that out I have been operating it trouble free for years.

there are others too, even less expensive:

http://meritline.com/readers.html

Hope this helps,

--Beverly

G3User - Dec 28, 2007 - 2:07 pm

Beverly, thank you so much for the help! I ordered a Belkin 15N1 media reader from Amazon. I found it at the Mac store, so i think it should be good. Your suggestions were great; tell me please what is anti-Mac product lineup from Tiger Direct? Just that they don't stock a lot of mac compatible stuff? Thanks.

nhmac - Dec 28, 2007 - 2:44 pm

Hi,

That was actually a different tech that said that about TigerDirect, but I think it's true that they don't stock much in the way of Mac-compatible items. I don't shop there anyway since they mostly have higher prices (and much higher shipping costs if I recall) than other places that are more Mac-friendly (OWC for example). I recommend visiting dealmac.com when you're looking for something -- that gets you Mac-compatible goods at excellent prices.

Anyway, glad you got something coming, Belkin is generally very good although I don't have one of their readers, but I have other Belkin items and they have never let me down. Have a very happy New Year, and thanks for using Mac OSX.com!

--Beverly