SD Card Slot

is it simply for using SD media cards

Yes

What else is it used for, if anything?

Nothing. Just SD media cards.

Hi,
No ExpressCard slot seems like a major downgrade for the Mac Pro 15". Many users buy the MacBook Pro for the ExpressCard external high performance storage options.

An SD card slot adds no real value as an SD card can be used with a USB port. I wonder what Apple is thinking?

Thrifty One wrote:
I mainly use Sony cameras with "Memory Stick" cards. Are there adapters so I can use these in the SD slot?

If it isn't SD, the answer will be either the USB cable or a USB or FireWire card reader.

I couldn't agree more - they just ruled out the new 15" for me - I need access to eSATA and have never ever used an SD card in my life. They just made the 15" a MacBook, it's not a Pro machine any more. And I don't want a 17" - too big. What do they think Pros need other than configurability?

Losing the ExpressCard slot is one of the worst decisions they've ever made on the Pro series. Even my 2002 G4 Powerbook had an expansion slot.

I can't believe they removed an express card slot from a pro machine.

Pro Video Users need this for add on cards, card readers for pro level cameras (red one, Canon, Sony, Panasonic)

Audio Users need this for some adui cards and DSP cards such as (UAD)

Seriously Apple what were you thinking???

I'd be interested to know the thinking behind dropping the ExpressCard slot. Totally agree that it is an appalling and infuriating decision. It means I won't upgrade my MBP despite needing to because eSATA is essential for my audio work. Apogee must be sticking voodoo needles into SJ for letting that go through - don't they have ExpressCard-only products like UAD?

Apple isn't going to tell you/us what they were thinking, here or anywhere else, and speculating about their reasoning isn't what these forums are for. But there are plenty of other web sites where you can share your guesses and read other people's guesses (and complaints) about what Apple is thinking and doing.

Whatever Apple's reasons, I suspect the inclusion of an SD reader in the MBP line will further accelerate the shift by more and more camera makers to that card format in preference to all others. That already seems to have been underway for some time, but this should cause some other card formats to fall by the wayside in the next year or two.

Well as long as the SD slot is gonna be there, it would help to know more about the particulars of it. Such as:

does it support SDHC and SDXC formats, or just the older smaller slower SD cards?

What is the transfer read/write speed--is it linked directly to the PCI bus, or is it just an internal USB connection?

Is the computer bootable from an SD card inserted in the slot?

I agree about disappointment in removing Expresscard 34; however, why do you need eSata on a Macbook Pro? You lug around a big ol' eSata raid array? Every single-drive with eSata I've seen also has Firewire 800. If you're in your edit studio, then I suspect you have a MacPro in there somewhere if you need the speed of an eSata Raid array for uncompressed (or ProRes 422 multi-stream) video editing.

SD card: if it is SDHC, then the cams that use Sony SxS cards have third party adapters for SDHC; and SDHC is in the new JVC cam as well; it is fast enough for 35mb/sec video (XDCAM EX).

If it is not SDHC, and only SD, then it is only a new way for dust to get into your machine ;-(

Eddie O

mbean wrote:
Hi,
No ExpressCard slot seems like a major downgrade for the Mac Pro 15". Many users buy the MacBook Pro for the ExpressCard external high performance storage options.

An SD card slot adds no real value as an SD card can be used with a USB port. I wonder what Apple is thinking?

Only Apple can answer. Theres lots of adapters for SD, have one, and ExpressCard in the Macbook PRO 15" is a must, and I hope Apple reconsiders and moves back.
I was thinking to upgrade from my 2 years old Macbook Pro in October but where do I put my Huawei Mobile Connect Express Card for internet? The 17" is not an option to me!

I would assume that the slot is attached via USB - as the Expresscard port is (at least in my late '07 model MBP). At least it has/had it's own USB bus...

I just hope the reader supports SDHC - I haven't used a 2GB or below in years. I would assume it is considering that most cameras nowadays use it, but I don't know.

As for dropping the slot, I'm not happy, but then again, they also reduced the price a couple hundred dollars. I think most of their users would be happy with that trade. I suppose that since I merely have a SDHC reader in the slot already, I would fit into this category - unless it's not an SDHC....

they figured that most of their customers would use a sd card slot before an express.. which is true.