09-28-2004, 05:00 PM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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Kingston's 4 GB CompactFlash Card: Fast and Big
You can't imagine the excitement I felt when my wife handed me the package that the courier dropped off and I saw it was from Kingston. I quickly ripped it open and feasted my eyes on the most beautiful sight: a CompactFlash card with the letters 4 GB stamped on it.  Now when it comes to memory cards, there are only two factors that matter: does it work in your device, and how fast does it work. Aesthetics don't matter in the world of flash cards.
To answer the first question, "Does it work", the answer is yes: I put the 4 GB card into my Dell Axim X5 (on of my few devices that take CF cards) and it was recognized and mounted by the file system. It did take several seconds longer than a smaller CF or SD card, but it's not terribly surprising as the Pocket PC OS likely does some sort of initial scan upon insertion. Here's the proof:
I was able to use the card normally - I loaded up every music file in my New Songs folder (where I keep music I've bought in the last 6-10 months), which was 834 files in total. That might not sound like much, but that's 43 full albums and about 50 singles. I tend to rip at high bit rates (192 kbps WMA or 224 kbps MP3), so if you're ripping at 64 kbps you can fit approximately 139 albums according to Windows Media Player's estimate that an average album will take up 28 MB of space.
Speeds tests revealed that this card is a burner: 6552 KB/s for 1 MB reads, and 6040 KB/s for 1 MB writes. My ancient Canon 32 MB card scored 3136 KB/s for 1 MB reads and only 614 KB/s for 1 MB reads. In comparison, my 512 MB Sandisk Ultra II scored 7474 KB/s for 1 MB reads and 5220 KB/s for 1 MB reads. So while the Kingston 4GB lagged by 900 KB/s or so while reading 1 MB files, it was a full 820 KB/s faster at writing files, which is what counts in almost every scenario. Why? Rare is the data file that will require 6.5 MB/s of raw bandwidth, so as long as you're above 2000 KB/s or so, you'll rarely see any sort of hiccup related to data read speeds.
With a price tag of $500 USD, this is not a memory card for a casual user, but that's to be expected at the high end. With a lifetime warranty, fast read/write speeds, and the respected Kingston brand-name, this is a serious card for serious users. It boasts the size of all but the biggest microdrives on the market, and the power-friendly nature of CompactFlash.
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09-28-2004, 05:19 PM
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Thoughts Media Review Team
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 1,004
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Just awestruck by the very thought of a 4gb card let alone one with that sort of performance... :mrgreen:
Just recently I have been thinking of getting a 1gb card for my Toshiba but have not been able to make up my mind between CF and SD. I am actually kind of glad this thing will cost so much - it means there is no chance I am going to fool myself into thinking I can afford it
That said I can see where somebody like a professional photographer (especially if they also happen to use a CF equipped Pocket PC) might find this a very useful buy.
__________________
...waiting for the arrival of my Axim x50v...But I still love my Newtons!
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09-28-2004, 05:26 PM
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Magi
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,341
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Holy crap, Jason....a 4gig card and you already only have 744MB of space left.....you make me proud! :-)
Dave
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09-28-2004, 05:27 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 235
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I have been considering an iPod mini, but now that these cards are available, it might just make sense to wait for the price to come down a bit and buy one for my iPaq 2215. Much better than carrying two devices.
Has anyone heard if Windows Media Player 10 is going to be released for WM?
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09-28-2004, 05:56 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 23
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by cab124
I have been considering an iPod mini, but now that these cards are available, it might just make sense to wait for the price to come down a bit and buy one for my iPaq 2215. Much better than carrying two devices.
Has anyone heard if Windows Media Player 10 is going to be released for WM?
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I'm in the same boat. I bought a 2.2 GB microdrive for my 2215 and use that to listen to music and audio books all the time. My brother-in-law has an iPod and it is cool, but with my PPC and Cell phone, I'd rather not have something else to have to carry around.
By the way, anyone have numbers on how draining the microdrives are on the battery compared to Compact Flash cards. I'd assume the microdrives would require more juice because of moving parts, but I've never seen any articles that compared the drain. Also, other things that I don't like as well about microdrives is the data seems like it would be less secure (drive errors, mechanical breakdowns--although I haven't had any problems with my card), and often when I turn on my PPC I have to wait several seconds for the drive to spin up. That said, I went with the microdrive because the cost to megabyte ratio was so much better, and it does work great for storing and listen to audio, video and other large media files.
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09-28-2004, 06:05 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 38
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4 gb microdrive
Until I changed to an iPAQ 6315 (about a month ago) I used a 4gb microdrive with my 2215 and I didn't notice any more battery drain than with the 256mb sandisk card that I used before. The primary reason that I bought the 4gb drive (on ebay for $200.00 - I think it came from a MUVO) was so that I didn't "need" an iPod.
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09-28-2004, 06:31 PM
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Mystic
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,911
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That's some impressive speed on that card. I wish one would just appear at my door. You sure it was your name on the box Jason?
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09-28-2004, 06:35 PM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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Re: 4 gb microdrive
Quote:
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Originally Posted by superfaron
Until I changed to an iPAQ 6315 (about a month ago) I used a 4gb microdrive with my 2215 and I didn't notice any more battery drain than with the 256mb sandisk card that I used before. The primary reason that I bought the 4gb drive (on ebay for $200.00 - I think it came from a MUVO) was so that I didn't "need" an iPod.
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What software were you using with the 4 GB Microdrive? Without software that employs heavy caching, a Microdrive should suck WAY more power than a CF card... 8O
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09-28-2004, 06:59 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 481
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Paragon
Holy crap, Jason....a 4gig card and you already only have 744MB of space left.....you make me proud! :-)
Dave
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Yeah! Remarkable, simply remarkable. And it doesn't look like he's had his new toy it too long either otherwise we would have heard about it sooner.
Jeff-
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09-28-2004, 07:01 PM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Paragon
Holy crap, Jason....a 4gig card and you already only have 744MB of space left.....you make me proud! :-)
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That was just for testing purposes - that's all the music from my New Music folder. I've since cleared off the card and it's sitting up on my deck mocking me because the X30 I'm using can't use CF. Hmm, if only I was using a Pocket PC that took CF. Maybe if I'm patient one will come to me... 8)
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