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Quite a while back, I bought and reviewed the Targus 32 in 1 card reader. What initially attracted me to it was the plug and play capability that it had for Mac. It has been quite some time since I used the reader, so thought I would add a sequel to my initial review.

The card reader only last about a month or two. It intermittently was not recognizing a standard Memory Stick, though it was picking up the vibes of an SD card right away. I tried wiggling the card, I tried taking it out and putting it back in quickly. The old method of unplugging it from the USB and plugging it back in had failed as well.

Then, I did something that perhaps was not too smart. I figured since it was working with the SD card, perhaps it was in the space of time when nothing was in the reader that it was failing. I put the Memory Stick in another slot while the SD card was in, and then proceeded to remove the SD card.

What happened next was not what I suspected. I fried both cards and the Targus reader never worked again under any circumstances. The cards survived after a reformatting, but not the reader. Of course, this was my fault, but nothing in the literature ever said anything about this on the “DO NOT DO” list. In fact, I don’t think there was such a list.

I do have a new card reader, I paid several more dollars for, and I will review that one in the near future.

Posted in Product Reviews | 6 Comments »

My new IMac didn’t come with a built in card reader.  At first I scratched my head as to why, but I actually like the idea.  My reasoning is that data storage changes so fast, with no shapes coming out all the time, that it is better to plug and play the latest reader or drive than be stuck with one that is obsolete.   Macs last quite a long time just for the fact that you can usually don’t have to scrap your current Mac to make it compatible with the newest programs.  In fact, I borrowed someone’s original Mac once.  You know, the little teeny one.  I was able to use current word processing programs with it.

Today I am looking at the Targus 32 in 1 Card Reader, available at Walmart for $12.99.  This product was attractive to me because I have more than one type of memory card to read, and the price was right.

The upside:
Great price
Reads many card formats
Plug and play

Downside:
Computer doesn’t always read the card right away.  I had to plug and unplug it from the USB slot several times to get it to read.  Maybe I thought the next try would be the “magic touch.”  Also, the card, especially the long Memory Stick needs to be in absolutely straight. I tried this on other computers (including PC) and it is the same story.

I think the design could be improved by making a deeper berth for the cards.  If they have to slide in further, they are more likely to stay straight.

Overall, until I shell out more money, what do i really want or expect for $12.99?

It definitely works, and is extremely small and compact. If you are looking for a bargain, it is a good buy. If you are a very impatient individual, you might want to pass and look elsewhere.

Posted in PC/Mac Compatible, Product Reviews | 2 Comments »