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Why SD slot in new MBP?

G

glhiii

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Nov 4, 2006
290
152
For $25 you can get the Belkin Multimedia Reader for an express card slot that reads SD, MMC, RSMMC, MMCmobile(w/adapter), MMCplus(w/adapter), MS, MS PRO, and xD(M and H type). I have one and it is blindingly fast. So if you purchase the new 15" MBP, you give up something that may be extremely useful (the express card slot) for something that is not (an SD slot that won't even read memory sticks). I don't think the Belkin reader will boot, but then if you need to boot from something small, you can always put the OS on a jump drive. It seems to me that Apple is saving money by replacing a feature that is extremely versatile (since you can use the express card slot for many things other than SD cards) with one that is not.
 
They put in a card reader that the vast majority of digital camera users can use. Thats why.
 
I get why they added the SD slot since there are a majority of users who use them in their lives but it's a little awkward to add just an SD slot. Why not an X-in-1 card reader? I know there ExpressCard's that do this so I would imagine that they would be able to integrate one with removal of the ExpressCard slot. I'm sure people will agree that they threw one in there because many critics were on Apple when the MacBook (Pro) lines didn't have one when it's competitors have been using it for years.
 
Yup...

ExpressCard was so versatile that %1 percent of Apple notebook owners used it.

Apple probably thought

"we could put CF cards in for the Pro Photogs but they already have their fast card readers"

"If we put in SDHC we cover a vast consumer market"

I'm just glad they tossed us a bone and make the cards bootable.
 
iLog.Genius said:
I get why they added the SD slot since there are a majority of users who use them in their lives but it's a little awkward to add just an SD slot. Why not an X-in-1 card reader? I know there ExpressCard's that do this so I would imagine that they would be able to integrate one with removal of the ExpressCard slot. I'm sure people will agree that they threw one in there because many critics were on Apple when the MacBook (Pro) lines didn't have one when it's competitors have been using it for years.
Click to expand...

Watch the keynote.
 
cough.. fanboys.. cough

I'm surprised you guys are defending the replacement of the ExpressCard with an SD slot.

Let me ask you this, had the SD slot and ExpressCard been optional, which one would you go for? :rolleyes:
 
///M5 said:
cough.. fanboys.. cough

I'm surprised you guys are defending the replacement of the ExpressCard with an SD slot.

Let me ask you this, had the SD slot and ExpressCard been optional, which one would you go for? :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

I really dislike the SD slot. You can put a few things in there, but nothing else. It is a "unitasker." An ExpressCard slot however, give you a zillion options to choose from.
 
///M5 said:
Let me ask you this, had the SD slot and ExpressCard been optional, which one would you go for? :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
SD card slot. I've never found a use for the ExpressCard/34 slot.

In fact, to show you how little that slot was used (or perhaps, how stupid my housemate is) my housemate only just realised that her MBP had an ExpressCard/34 slot.

For me, it's a USB cable I don't have to carry anymore.
 
///M5 said:
cough.. fanboys.. cough

I'm surprised you guys are defending the replacement of the ExpressCard with an SD slot.

Let me ask you this, had the SD slot and ExpressCard been optional, which one would you go for? :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

It doesn't matter I have little need for either. With ExpressCard I have to deal with 3rd party company and their drivers which are often shoddy.
 
darkpaw said:
SD card slot. I've never found a use for the ExpressCard/34 slot.

In fact, to show you how little that slot was used (or perhaps, how stupid my housemate is) my housemate only just realised that her MBP had an ExpressCard/34 slot.

For me, it's a USB cable I don't have to carry anymore.
Click to expand...

You could always get a card reader.. the ExpressCard Slot can be an SD Card Slot AND MORE. It's as simple as that... I don't know why you would choose an SD Card Slot over an ExpressCard Slot if you had a choice.
 
Not every camera uses SD, many of the Dslrs don't, in fact my D70 uses a CF card.
 
NT1440 said:
They put in a card reader that the vast majority of digital camera users can use. Thats why.
Click to expand...

Consumer cameras that is! ;)

KEYWORD: Consumer

maflynn said:
Not every camera uses SD, many of the Dslrs don't, in fact my D70 uses a CF card.
Click to expand...

Your camera is more in line with Professional Cameras.

bb714 said:
You could always get a card reader.. the ExpressCard Slot can be an SD Card Slot AND MORE. It's as simple as that... I don't know why you would choose an SD Card Slot over an ExpressCard Slot if you had a choice.
Click to expand...

If I owned one of the *new* MBP, I'd seal off that slot, knowing that as long as I owned it, it would NEVER be used !!!!!!
 
I personally think it's part of a larger plan for apple. I wouldn't be surprised if we see them using it in some unique ways over the next year. Maybe software released on SD cards, replacing the optical drive.
 
What Apple should have done is left the ExpressCard slot, and just made an Apple-brand SD reader that fits inside seamlessly, they could even charge an arm and a leg for it.
 
nuckinfutz said:
It doesn't matter I have little need for either. With ExpressCard I have to deal with 3rd party company and their drivers which are often shoddy.
Click to expand...

I have an SD card reader (in my ExpressCard slot) that was bundled with a Sony Vaio computer (the card reader is also Sony-branded). I didn't have to deal with any drivers, I just pop it in and it works seamlessly.
 
Ricanlegend said:
Everybody uses sd , not alot of people uses the express slot, if you want the express slot just get the 17 in or the last gen
Click to expand...

I don't know anyone with a digital camera that uses SD cards.

They either use Compact Flash, or in some cases Sony Memory Stick Cards.
 
thehellobob said:
I personally think it's part of a larger plan for apple. I wouldn't be surprised if we see them using it in some unique ways over the next year. Maybe software released on SD cards, replacing the optical drive.
Click to expand...

i agree with your point. i think over the next few years they will phase out DVD's and release software on sd cards and finally drop the DVD's.

we will know when they update the imacs. if they also get sd card slots then it's true.
 
harcosparky said:
I don't know anyone with a digital camera that uses SD cards.

They either use Compact Flash, or in some cases Sony Memory Stick Cards.
Click to expand...

from Wikipedia

...by 2005 SD/MMC had achieved over 40% of the digital camera market..
As of December 2008, nearly all leading digital camera manufacturers use SD in their product lines, including Casio, Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Kodak, Panasonic, Konica Minolta, Ricoh and Samsung.
Click to expand...
 
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