One of the things I don’t like about my Compaq Presario C714NR is that it doesn’t have any media card slots. I thought it wouldn’t be a big deal or an issue since I already have a generic card reader. Later on I found out that my cheap card reader doesn’t work with Vista and I couldn’t find the USB cable for my Canon Powershot S3 IS so I had no other way of transferring my photos to my laptop.
Because of that, I had to find and get myself a new card reader. I wanted it to be affordable yet reliable and of good quality. I don’t know if you’ve noticed this but I’m a bit brand conscious. When it comes to memory cards and flash drives, my brand of choice is Sandisk. So I looked around for an affordable Sandisk card reader that can accommodate multiple memory card types. The one that I decided to get was the Sandisk ImageMate 12-in-1 Reader/Writer and I the cheapest one I found was over at ANTonline which sells for $23.77. The Sandisk ImageMate 12-in-1 card reader usually retails for atleast $30 in other online stores.
Unit Dimensions:
- In docking: Outer dimensions (H x L x W): 150 x 100 x 52 mm
- Reader unit (H x L x W): 20.5 x 101 x 69 mm
Features:
- Transfer, print, email, and display images with the touch of a button
- Hi-Speed USB 2.0 certified for superior data transfer
- Backwards compatible with all USB 1.1 ports
- No additional card adapters needed
- Easy to install and use; no additional driver installation required for Windows ME, 2000, XP and OS X v10.1.2 plus. Driver included for Windows 98SE and Mac OS 9.2.x plus
- Separate reader and docking station for easy desktop/laptop connectivity
- Certified Windows XP and Mac OS X
The ImageMate 12-in-1 Reader/Writer is compatible with the following memory card formats :
- CompactFlash®
- CompactFlash® II
- SD™
- SDHC™
- miniSD™
- miniSDHC™
- MultiMediaCard™
- MMCplus™
- MMCmobile™
- RS-MMC™
- RS-MMC Dual Voltage™
- Memory Stick™
- Memory Stick Duo™
- Memory Stick PRO™
- Memory Stick PRO Duo™
- SmartMedia™
- xD
- xD Type M
- xD Type H
The Sandisk ImageMate 12-in-1 card reader worked out of the box. I didn’t have to use the CD and install the drivers. Transferring photos was fast and easy. It includes an optional stand (see photo above) which saves space and lets you access the card reader conveniently.
If you’re looking for a good external multimedia card reader, I highly recommend the Sandisk ImageMate 12-in-1 card reader. And if you do decide to get one, the one at ANTonline is still the cheapest I’ve seen so far.
Are you also using an external multimedia card reader like this? If so, what brand and model is it? What are your experiences with it?
Written by 
January 31st, 2008 at 10:02 pm
@K – Yeah, I got the reply you sent via your iPhone. ;)
Even if you’re not subscribed to this posts’s comments, you’d still get a copy in via email because of a plugin that I’m using. $13 is not bad but if you compare it to the 80-in-1 card reader that only costs $17, then it’s definitely over priced. Hehe just kidding. :D
As long as it works and is durable, then I say that it’s worth it.
January 31st, 2008 at 8:43 am
I’ve actually responded to your reply via email, I think I’ve subscribed to this post comment (it actually popped out from my iPhone email, nakss). Well the price in US$ was less than $13 I think. Expensive ba?
January 31st, 2008 at 6:55 am
@joie – That’s what I thought because I did a search for the product that you mentioned but nothing came up. Anyways, thanks for the info! :)
January 31st, 2008 at 6:52 am
@Jaypee i think the brand is made in China.. it might be an acronym for the chinese name too.. If i had a chance to visit the store where i bought ill get more info about it..
January 31st, 2008 at 12:05 am
@Louie – 80-in-1 card reader for only $17? No I haven’t! If I did, I would’ve definitely gotten one. Thanks for sharing and for dropping by! :D
January 30th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
Have you heard of the 80 in 1 card reader? I didn’t know that there are 80 types of memory cards available in the market. Oh, and it only costs $17.
Louie’s last blog post..Today Is International Delete Your Myspace Account Day
January 30th, 2008 at 6:25 pm
@joie – Ei, how are you? Pleasant surprise to see you here. 23-in-1 for only $10? That’s a very good buy! :D
Is that brand only sold in China? Coz I tried looking it up in the Internet and I couldn’t find it. 3 years and still working means it’s very durable. Makes it more than worth it’s price. Thanks for dropping by! :)
January 30th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
@Jaypee
I think its a good buy too..
Mine is WHD 23-1 card i got it for about $10 here in China
It is 23-in-1 Card but i really dont know what are the other functions because the specification is all written in Chinese.. :D
The only thing that i know is that it has SM/XD SD/MMC MS/MSPRO CF/MD
and its hi-speed USB 2.0
Iv’e been using this for 3 years now and its still good..
January 30th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
@dimaks – I did mention that I’m a bit brand conscious didn’t I? Hehe I just like to think of it as an investment like what Ederic said. :D
January 30th, 2008 at 11:58 am
wow.. that’s a grand! it looks like food to me :lol:
dimaks’s last blog post..Our numerator may differ but..
January 30th, 2008 at 9:20 am
@deuts – Really? That’s cool! Where did you buy yours? Didn’t you read the manual? Hehe it’s all good though, we all make mistakes. ;)
That’s a good idea. Unfortunately, even if I wanted to I can’t go. I have responsibilities at home with my family. Anyways, thanks for the suggestion! :D
January 30th, 2008 at 9:15 am
I own exactly this one for maybe a year already. When i bought it, it is attached to its stand, and I didn’t realize (until now, when I read your post) that it is detachable from its stand!
I’m an idiot! hehe
Anyway, OT here, Jaypee, why don’t you ask the Department of Tourism also to sponsor your trip to the Philippines just like Happy Slip! hehehehe
deuts’s last blog post..Fischer vs. the World: A Chess Giant’s Endgame
January 30th, 2008 at 9:00 am
@K – Sorry bout that. I wish I posted this earlier so you could’ve gotten this one. :)
Btw, how much is $99 HK if you convert it to US$?
January 30th, 2008 at 8:57 am
Shoot, too late. I just bought one today from e-blue usb2.0 multislot dreader/writer for around HK$99.00. It has a 3port hub, works fine. But this one is mega-grand, sandisk at that.
January 30th, 2008 at 6:20 am
@jhay – Really? Good for you! Free stuff are always better! Hehe
In my case, I wouldn’t have bought a new one had my old generic card reader worked with Vista. :D
January 30th, 2008 at 6:18 am
It’s a good buy. Though I’m quite happy with my current reader, it may not be as chuck-full of features and can read all types of cards as yours but it still works great. What’s best about it is I got it for free! lolz
I actually found it in SM Southmall’s parking lot on November last year. The person who bought it from CD-R king dropped it while getting in his car. Checked out the price and it’s worth Php200. :mrgreen:
jhay’s last blog post..Sex Offender E-mail Registry: Will it work?
January 29th, 2008 at 11:35 pm
@rhoen – Thanks kuya! :D
January 29th, 2008 at 11:30 pm
great buy, jayp!
January 29th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
@trench – Doesn’t your desktop have any multimedia card slots? If not, then I definitely recommend this one. :D
January 29th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
I seriously need one of these!
trench’s last blog post..Kaba Modern FTW! (Best Dance Crew)
January 29th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
@Ederic – I know. The one I had before was something like that and although it works, it’s the type that doesn’t last long. I just edited the post and added the dimensions but to give you a better idea, it’s as big as a Nokia 6600 phone. Almost the same thickness too. Hope that helps. :)
January 29th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Gusto ko rin! Ano actual size? :p
The P80-peso card readers I buy from CDR-King get kaput after a week or so. I think it’s better to invest in a reliable unit like this one.
Ederic’s last blog post..New Palm devices nearing launch in the Philippines?