What is a card reader and why is it needed: reviews, purpose, external or internal, their varieties

To transfer information from a memory card to the hard drive of a computer or laptop, you will definitely need a card reader.

What is a card reader

This word is borrowed. Translated from English, it means "card reader". There is also a slightly different spelling - a card reader. In appearance, it can be completely different, but most often it is a small box with slots for placement cards of all existing formats: large SD, used in cameras and microSD, used in mobile digital technology of small size.

The most common place where you can find memory cards is the camera.

Purpose of the device

Card Reader is used to read information from memory cards and then transfer it to a computer. For these purposes, a USB cable is used.

There is a different position among users regarding the need to use such an external device. Those who believe that the use of the device is impractical, cite as an argument the fact that almost all mobile devices have a USB output and can be connected with a cable to a PC for realizing readout. But here one point should be taken into account - in the process of reading the battery charge of the gadget will be consumed, which is extremely undesirable in conditions of being far from sources of electric current.

Types of devices

All such devices on the market fall into two broad categories. They are subdivided according to the location of the reader and the type of connection.

External card readers

The external device is the box described above, which acts as a container with slots for placing memory cards. It connects to your computer via a regular USB cable. In fact, such an execution makes the Card Reader an ordinary USB flash drive. And the device works on a similar principle - plugged in and work.

Internal card readers

This variety is also called built-in. From the name it follows that a similar device for reading memory cards is located inside the device: a computer or laptop. Most modern PCs are initially equipped with the necessary accessory, which makes it unnecessary for the user to purchase it separately. Built-in readers are placed in an empty 3.5-inch slot, where the drive used to be.

Internal devices are usually 3.5 ", but there are some that need to be mounted where the DVD drive is located and are 5.25".

How to choose the right card reader

After the user has decided on the question that he really needs a card reader, he immediately faces the next problem - how to choose the right device. The choice should be made according to several parameters.

By connection interface

Since all card readers are divided into only two types, there are no problems with the choice of a device by the method of connection. It will be an external or internal device. The first one is needed as a separate gadget. This will allow not only to connect a data storage source to a PC, but also transfer information from one computer to another. The internal device is installed directly into the system unit and becomes stationary. All card readers are connected via USB, regardless of their type and purpose.

TOINFORMATION!

It should be borne in mind that every centimeter of the USB cable leads to voltage attenuation, so the internal reader allows you to gain a certain amount of data exchange rate.

The abundance of memory card formats requires you to select a device that supports the maximum number.

Variety of card support

Each card reader has many holes for memory cards. Naturally, the more slots, the more information sources you can connect. This factor is often decisive when choosing an accessory.

Before buying, you should decide on the types of cards that are available to the user and try to choose a device that supports their maximum number.

TOINFORMATION!

Some models of card readers provide the ability to work with more than 50 different formats of memory cards.

In order not to overpay, it is best to determine the types of cards that are available and buy a reader with this fact in mind.

You need to understand that the cost of the device will increase in accordance with the number of supported drives. With just a couple of cards, you shouldn't chase an accessory that can read dozens of types. It will be a waste of money.

It is believed that a high-quality modern reader should support the following types of memory cards:

• CompactFlash;
• CF Type I (UDMA 0-6);
• CF Type II (UDMA 0-6);
• SD;
• SDHC;
• SDHC UHS-I;
• SDXC;
• SDXC UHS-I;
• microSD;
• microSDHC;
• microSDXC;
• Memory Stick (Duo, Pro, PRO Duo, M2).

The presence of the inscription "USB3.0" indicates that this reader supports a high exchange rate.

Baud rate

The number of important parameters can be attributed to the speed of data exchange, since it will depend on it the time spent by the user for copying. This is very important when transferring large amounts of information.

Most of the readers on the market operate at a speed of 480 Mbit / s, more modern models can provide this indicator at the level of 500 Mbit / s. That is why it makes no sense to focus exclusively on this indicator.

But here one should take into account not so much the high-speed capabilities of the reader, but the analogous indicator of the computer. The presence of a modern USB3.0 port allows data transfer at a speed of 5 Gb / s, which is significantly higher than the previously indicated figures.

IMPORTANT!

When choosing according to the criterion "speed", it is necessary to pay attention to which indicator supports memory card, otherwise, even with a high-speed port, there is a high probability of not getting the expected Benefits.

Additional features

Also, when choosing a card reader, it is desirable, but not necessary, to pay attention to the additional capabilities of the device, including:

• compatibility with a specific operating system. As a rule, all modern readers are multisystem, but it will not be superfluous to clarify this indicator;
• complete set. A conscientious manufacturer includes a variety of adapters in the kit, making it possible to use different memory cards;
• the presence of a USB socket, which allows, when purchasing one device, to become the owner of an additional hub or splitter for connecting several devices at the same time.

The choice of the device should be carried out in accordance with the characteristics of its future use. Therefore, we can advise you to pay attention to the size of the accessory, since with frequent travel and using digital technology, it is better to choose small, compact models. For the home, you can pick up larger and more advanced options in terms of a set of functions.

Top models: TOP 5 card readers

When choosing the optimal device, you can focus on your own knowledge or try to find out the details from the sales consultants in the store. But it would be more correct to familiarize yourself with a preliminary rating of the best models, which was compiled on the basis of a competent opinion of experts, backed up by reviews of real buyers. The presented selection includes only external devices of various forms and functionality.

CBRCR 440

A universal model produced by a Chinese brand that is practically unknown to a wide range of buyers, which considered one of the most reliable, since it supports saving data during unplanned outages device.

The accessory is connected via a USB2.0 port, so you shouldn't wait for lightning-fast data exchange from it. Everything happens at the standard 480 Mbps.

The device supports the most common formats: microSD, MMC, MemoryStick, CompactFlash. One of the positive aspects is the compactness of the device, which allows you to take it with you on any trip. The connection is made according to the Plug & Play principle, which guarantees that there is no need to install additional software. Also, a clear advantage can be considered the price - only 310 rubles.

HAMAH-39878

A device from a well-known manufacturer of external drives. This model features support for the USB3.0 protocol, which provides high-speed file exchange. At the same time, unlike its competitors, the accessory attracts with a price that is only 950 rubles.

Another distinctive feature of the model is its attractive appearance. The upper part is gloss black and the lower one is mirror plastic. The advantages also include the compactness of the reader. The dimensions of the device are 58 × 17 × 99 mm, so the device will not take up much space on your desktop or in your bag.

The presence of the inscription "all-in-one" means that the card reader supports most formats of modern memory cards. The most common ones are SD, microSD, MemoryStick, CompactFlash and MMC.

GinzzuGR-588UB

A device that came to the market from Taiwan from a brand that has been confidently winning its customers over the past years. This model is a novelty, which is an ergonomic reader that supports microSD and other types of memory cards.

In appearance, this accessory resembles a regular USB token, which is easy to use and connects to several types of devices at once. The USB3.0 protocol is used to exchange data with a computer. If you don't have a PC at hand and you need information urgently somewhere to transfer, then on the reverse side there is a Type C OTG connector, which allows you to connect devices to smartphone. The cost of the accessory is 380 rubles.

TranscendTS— RDP8

The product of another well-known manufacturer of external drives, which is a compact and fast card reader that supports USB3.0 protocol. The presence of an increased data exchange rate allows you to move even graphic objects with a large volume.

The model is distinguished by a laconic but pleasant design and is offered in several colors at once, up to a pink shade that girls will like. Despite its modest size, the reader supports most of the common card formats - microSD, microSDXC, SDHC, MS, CompactFlash. A proprietary utility built into the card reader called RecoveRx will instantly restore accidentally deleted information. The cost of the model is 750 rubles.

SandiskImageMateSDDR‑289‑X20

An original device from a well-known brand, which is a card reader that supports the USB3.0 communication protocol, which provides high speed data transfer. It is a very slim device that stands upright and has a special stand. White color of execution gives it grace and external beauty.

Despite having a modern data transfer format, the device has a backward compatibility function, which allows it to be used in traditional USB2.0 ports.

The abundance of types of memory cards supported by this accessory is striking. In addition to all the most common formats, the device can read the latest CompactFlash cards of the UDMA 7 standard.

The only significant disadvantage can be considered the high cost, which is 2590 rubles.

Separately, outside of the presented rating, I would like to mention one of the best representatives of internal readers. This is the GINZZU GR-166UB model. It, traditionally for all representatives of this class, is made in a 3.5-inch format for mounting in a drive slot. In addition, you can fix the device inside the system unit at the place where the hard drives are installed.

The device comes with a special slide, screws for strong fastening, a connecting wire. Supports USB3.0 protocol. Also, the accessory can be connected to the motherboard via SATA III. The reader supports all the most common memory card formats - TF, CF, SD, xD-Picture. The cost of the model is 660 rubles.

The purchase of a card reader is a justified step, since this device will be useful not only professional photographers, but also those who, by their occupation, save a large number of files on digital devices. These accessories are extremely easy to operate as most of the models are Plug & Play. This means that the user is not required to install additional software. Once again, you can find out what a card reader is and how to choose it correctly from the presented video.

Advantages and disadvantages

Despite the opinion of a number of users that the purchase of a reader, regardless of the type of connection, is empty a waste of money, these devices have a number of important advantages over the method of directly connecting a gadget to computer:

• Higher data exchange rate. During the direct process of recording to a card installed directly in the phone connected via the USB port, the transfer rate does not exceed 300 Kbps. When using an accessory, this figure rises to 6 Mbps, which significantly reduces the data exchange time.
• Better recognition. When connecting the card reader to a computer, no additional software or drivers need to be installed. The interaction takes place directly. In Explorer, the memory card will appear as a standalone drive.
• Saves battery power. When a gadget and a laptop are directly connected, the energy of both the first and the second device is wasted. If this is not so critical for a PC, then for a smartphone it is fraught with a faster battery failure due to frequent charge and discharge cycles.
• Hassle-free connection. Some gadgets turn out to be so power-hungry that after a direct connection to They are simply not recognized by the PC, since the amperage supplied by the USB cable will simply not enough. You can only ensure the charging of the device.

Some devices are equipped with additional USB ports, which makes the reader a full-fledged hub.

TOINFORMATION!

Most digital equipment, including a smartphone or a camera, will require the installation of a driver or specialized software for data exchange when connected to a computer.

On the market you can find very tiny devices that are designed to read from microUSB cards.

It should be noted, however, that card readers have no obvious drawbacks. The only negative point is the need to purchase an accessory.

TOINFORMATION!

Some models come in the size of a standard flash drive, which will allow you to get a compact and useful device, but in this case you have to sacrifice the number of types of cards readable.