Shock: Sandisk Increase Memory Card Sizes & Increase Speeds

[Jonathon Watkins]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.engadget.com/2006/02/27/sandisk-bumps-memory-card-capacities' target='_blank'>http://www.engadget.com/2006/02/27/...card-capacities</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Today SanDisk hit us with three separate capacity boosting announcements. First, they doubled the capacity of their Extreme III Cards . . . [T]he new cards include the Extreme III 8GB CompactFlash for $560, the $200 2GB SD, and the 4GB Memory Stick PRO . . . for $420 green. The CF and SD cards both feature a minimum read/write speed of 20 MB/sec . . . Likewise, SanDisk also announced a capacity doubling 2GB SanDisk Ultra II SD Plus Card (pictured) due in June for $135. . . Thanks for the updates SanDisk, and more importantly we appreciate you not introducing any new memory card formats on us.</i><br /><br /> <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/6665_large.jpg" /> <br /><br />Excellent. Good to see the boringly predictable, yet edifying pattern of storage cards announcements continue. More space, for less money at higher speeds. What's not to like? There's more details at <a href="http://www.mobilemag.com/content/100/349/C6665/">MobileMag</a>. It's good to own a Pocket PC that can still take CF cards. I can think of a lot of good stuff to fit on 8Gb. ;-)

[beq]

Does anyone know if a card with 20MB/sec read/write speed will make a difference in Pocket PCs and digicams, compared to an older card with 10MB/sec read/write speed?

Anyways, I can't wait for the 2GB SD Plus card. I had ordered three of the 1GB SD Plus cards from Buy.com back in Oct 2005, and I only received them earlier this month (Feb 2006)! 8O Talk about a long backorder... The 1GB card was only like $95 each from Buy.com (meanwhile I see local stores already having them in stock for months, but for a price closer to $140 or such).

[msafi]

*scratches head*
miniSD is already at 2GB and regular SD is at 4GB...

the only news to me here is the CompactFlash at 8GB, but since i have no plans to buy a CompactFlash card, i don't care.

[Stik]

Likewise, SanDisk also announced a capacity doubling 2GB SanDisk Ultra II SD Plus Card (pictured) due in June for $135

I don't understand the ' foldable ' pictured card. :roll:

Does one insert a memory card into the card to double the capacity or,or, or... why does it have flaps like that? Thanks. :oops:

[Dyvim]

It's good to own a Pocket PC that can still take CF cards. I can think of a lot of good stuff to fit on 8Gb. ;-)

This explains why the huge price drop on older Ultra II cards in the last few weeks. The 8 GB Ultra II CF card is now as low as $329, down from around $640+ just a month or two ago. Mine arrives tomorrow!

Does anyone know if a card with 20MB/sec read/write speed will make a difference in Pocket PCs and digicams, compared to an older card with 10MB/sec read/write speed?

Digicams maybe depending on how new they are and how advanced. You should check out digital photography forums to find out about that. Pocket PCs most likely no. Menneisys did a nice roundup on memory card speeds in Pocket PCs. But if you have a fast card reader, you'll appreciate the speed boost when copying files to/from your PC. Note that card readers that predate the release of SanDisk's Extreme III line probably can't take advantage of 20MB/sec transfer speeds.

I don't understand the ' foldable ' pictured card.

It's a built-in USB adaptor so that you don't need a card reader - just plug it into any USB port and start copying files.

[Underwater Mike]

It's really convenient to not need a card reader. My only caution is to be very careful when "opening" the hinge. Due to the size and thickness of the plastic parts, it's not very sturdy.


Likewise, SanDisk also announced a capacity doubling 2GB SanDisk Ultra II SD Plus Card (pictured) due in June for $135

I don't understand the ' foldable ' pictured card. :roll:

Does one insert a memory card into the card to double the capacity or,or, or... why does it have flaps like that? Thanks. :oops:

[Stik]

Thanks mucho Dyvim &amp; Mike for the replies.

Now I get it! :idea:

[Janak Parekh]

It's really convenient to not need a card reader.
Agreed. I won't buy a SD card without integrated USB anymore. :)

My only caution is to be very careful when "opening" the hinge. Due to the size and thickness of the plastic parts, it's not very sturdy.
8O I have one, and I've flipped the hinge hundreds of times without any loss of sturdiness. I sometimes meaninglessly flip it around in my hands for minutes on end. Has yours broke?

--janak

[Janak Parekh]

*scratches head*
miniSD is already at 2GB and regular SD is at 4GB...
SD-with-USB at 2GB is news, actually. :) And once you've tried it, it's hard to go back. Especially since I carry a laptop around and don't want to carry a reader as well. In fact, I find it the best way to exchange files between my Pocket PC and a desktop that doesn't have ActiveSync installed.

--janak

[Underwater Mike]

Yup. The first one I had cracked the very first time i tried to open it. :cry: I think I used too much force, though, as it was stuck initially and I had to crank on it to get it to open. Apparently too much cranking!


It's really convenient to not need a card reader.
Agreed. I won't buy a SD card without integrated USB anymore. :)

My only caution is to be very careful when "opening" the hinge. Due to the size and thickness of the plastic parts, it's not very sturdy.
8O I have one, and I've flipped the hinge hundreds of times without any loss of sturdiness. I sometimes meaninglessly flip it around in my hands for minutes on end. Has yours broke?

--janak

[beq]

My only caution is to be very careful when "opening" the hinge. Due to the size and thickness of the plastic parts, it's not very sturdy.
8O I have one, and I've flipped the hinge hundreds of times without any loss of sturdiness. I sometimes meaninglessly flip it around in my hands for minutes on end.
Heh I'd found myself doing the same thing in the past. While I never broke one, I admit the whole hinge opening process feels flimsy (probably due to the flexible plastic covering of the standard SD card).

I wish all cards are manufactured with a process similar to Kingmax's PIP, to make them rigid/inflexible (not to mention waterproof):

http://www.kingmaxdigi.com/product/technology.htm

http://www.kingmaxdigi.com/news/news_product/news_p20040303.htm


P.S. Anyways, I'm still torn because newer cellphones such as the 2nd-gen Motorola Razrs use microSD cards. And my Sony PSP uses MemStick Duo :(

It would be awesome if there's a microSD-to-SD adapter which also doubles as a USB connector. Basically make the SanDisk SD Plus card as an adapter to insert a microSD card in...

And if there's also a microSD-to-MS Duo adapter with also doubles as a USB connector :D

[Janak Parekh]

Yup. The first one I had cracked the very first time i tried to open it. :cry: I think I used too much force, though, as it was stuck initially and I had to crank on it to get it to open. Apparently too much cranking!
:( I think that must have been a defective unit. Mine was a little brittle initially, but now it flips back and forth smoothly.

beq: You might call it flimsy, but it's a sturdy flimsiness, if you know what I mean. It has to have some give so that you can flip it reliably for a long period of time. I'm not too afraid of it falling apart. And, the KingMax solution doesn't have USB. It would be great to see a microSD-to-SD+USB adapter, but I don't know if we'll see that anytime soon.

--janak