Faster card reader -- USB 3 rocks

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Level 6

12,542 points

Faster card reader -- USB 3 rocks

Just a heads-up for those interested. I got a USB 3 card reader yesterday (SanDisk ImageMate All-in-one, from B&H). It seems to be much faster than my old Lexar FireWire card reader. USB 3 has almost completely superceded FireWire in my practice.

The SanDisk reader is petite -- 1 x 4 x 12 cm. That's without the USB 3 cable, which is long enough for desk use but gargantuan for portability. I'll look for a smaller cable.

I selected the ImageMate because I needed a reader that accepts Memory Stick, SDHC, and Compact Flash. It also accepts Micro cards.

MacBook Pro (Retina, Mid 2012), OS X Mountain Lion, 16 GB RAM; 500 GB SSD; NEC; Munki

Posted on Sep 27, 2012 11:07 AM

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Answer 1

léonie

Level 10

194,647 points

Sep 28, 2012 2:38 AM in response to Kirby Krieger

Just in time, Kirby - I need to buy a new card reader, and the Image Mate you got seems to be just the thing I need - fast - and all card formats supported. But I am afraid, none of my Macs has USB 3 ports yet.

Léonie

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Answer 2

Sep 28, 2012 5:27 AM in response to léonie

Has anyone had any experience upgrading a MacPro with Sonnet's Allegro USB 3.0 PCIe adapter?

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Sonnet%20Technologies/USB3ME/

It's supposedly compatible with my older MacPro 3,1 and certain USB 3 media readers.

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Answer 3

Kirby Krieger Author

Level 6

12,542 points

Sep 28, 2012 7:20 AM in response to léonie

But I am afraid, none of my Macs has USB 3 ports yet.

Léonie

Backwards compatible!

It is a nice-looking, reliable-seeming unit. Can't say I'd rush out to buy one (it's not inexpensive) without the need for USB 3, though.

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Answer 4

Kirby Krieger Author

Level 6

12,542 points

Sep 28, 2012 7:23 AM in response to phosgraphis

phosgraphis wrote:

Has anyone had any experience upgrading a MacPro with Sonnet's Allegro USB 3.0 PCIe adapter?

Sorry -- I don't. Worth looking into, though (imho).

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Answer 5

Nov 16, 2012 10:24 AM in response to Kirby Krieger

Interesting. I just bought the same device to use with the USB 3.0 ports on the new Mac Mini. It appears the device gets recognized but the cards never do. Device worked on a windows machine so the hardware is fine. Not sure what to do ..... Return it?

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Answer 6

Kirby Krieger Author

Level 6

12,542 points

Nov 16, 2012 10:29 AM in response to timfromsherwood park

I don't know. Can you take it to an Apple store and try it on other Mac Minis with USB 3?

And -- just to cover simple but unlikely stuff -- are you sure you are inserting the cards correctly? Does the blue light on the reader come on? (I think that's it -- I'm not where mine is right now.)

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Answer 7

Nov 16, 2012 10:43 AM in response to Kirby Krieger

I could take it to an Apple store. Maybe I will do that.

Good to be sure of simple stuff. Yes. I connected this to a windows PC and it works -- at least as a USB 2 device.

Yes, the blue light does come on.

BUT, you gave me a big clue here ..... This is a USB issue. I just plugged it NOT into the USB 3 port on the mini but a USB 2 port on my monitor -- that is connected to the mini. BINGO. It works.

So, something with USB 3 is not supported here ...

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Answer 8

tabstopp

Level 1

0 points

Nov 26, 2012 10:27 AM in response to timfromsherwood park

Hello, i've tested two different USB 3 Card Readers on the new Mac Mini, both don't work! Same effects.

(Sandisk imageMate allinone and Delock USB 3.0 Card Reader All in One) 😟

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Answer 9

Nov 26, 2012 12:04 PM in response to timfromsherwood park

This might be useful if you haven't already seen it:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5172

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