internal card readers

[photo_chick]

Since I have only used 7 ofthe 11 slots in my curent box, I was thinking about getting an internal card reader. We use SM, XD, CF, SD, and yes memory stick in this house, so I have no shortage of use or one! I know an internal is not really going to speed things up, more reduce the overall clutter around my pc and use one of those lonely empty slots.

Before I commit to my order on Newegg, I was wondering if anyone here had any suggestions?

 

[Furgus]

I have a SD card reader built into my laptop. I love it, only problem is, it does not read a 2 gig card....might have to see if they updated the firmware yet....

EDIT: Got new firmware...reads my 2 gig cards...

 

[KrazyPete]

I had one in my old computer. When I tried to move it to my new computer I discovered that I didn't have open USB ports on the motherboard.

You may already know this but check that before you buy. The internal card readers that I have seen plug into a set of pins on the motherboard, not anything like a normal USB socket.

 

[handicap18]

where does the card your looking at plug in? Sometimes just adding to an open slot in the front isn't quite that simple. Only times I've done it is with a DVD RW drive and also a 2.0 USB port that was hooked up to a 2.0 USB port that plugged into a PCI slot in the back of the computer.

 

[photo_chick]

I have the onboard usb 2.0 ports available on my mobo. I have 4 ports total and only two USB ports on the front of my case (well, actually the top of the case), so all is good there.

Here is the one I am looking at.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820300608

Just wanted to see if there was one out there that someone just has rave reviews for, or could warn me of against. I have not purchased an internal reader before, so this is a new one for me.

 

[Groucho]

If you have front USB ports already, your motherboard will need to handle at least six USB connections - as there's definitely at least two on the back of your motherboard. Most modern boards support 6 or 8 ports. Each USB piece that plugs into the mb counts as two - ie, two front USB ports, or these card readers that use one port for card reading and one for a free USB port.

Worst case scenario, you may have to disconnect your front USB ports, but probably not.

I have a ByteCC reader in mine, just because it was the cheapest. They're all very simple so I don't think it's worth worrying about buying a big-name one. The only thing to remember is not to do a "safely remove hardware" on the card reader as it will assume that you're removing it from the motherboard! (It doesn't know if it's an internal or external USB device.) I just right-click on the drive letter and "eject" before pulling out a card.