Thinkpads Forum

All,

I ordered my t42 yesterday..it should ship by the 14th. I am searching for a card reader that takes compact flash II, AND SD cards. I've scoured the internet and come up blank. All the various 4 in 1, and 6 in 1 adapters take every form of card BUT compact flash. If need be I'll get an external USB adapter, but if anyone has any leads for me, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks,

EWT

Maybe you'll have to use something like this (SD to CF adaptor) to use in a PC Card CF adaptor.
http://www.mittoni.com/securedigital/adapter2.html

BTW, since you have a high end machine, make sure to get a high speed CF adaptor.
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0310/03100 ... dbuscf.asp

Thanks for the reply.

So using that adapter, I would equip the laptop with a CF pcmcia adapter, then buy the item you spoke about for when I need to transfer data from my SD card to the computer?

So in essence I'd be buying two items: the CF card adapter for the laptop, then the SD->CF adapter which will go INTO the CF adapter.

I can dig it. But would it be more sensible to get the USB multicard adapter which could accomodate both type with no further interfacing?

Thanks again-

ewt

USB pro: can also be used on a desktop computer

PC Card pros: you can keep the CF adaptor with the SD adaptor in it in the laptop's slot all the time, no cable.

Valid points. It just too bad they don't make a pcmcia card adapter that takes CF and SD....

ah well

I appreciate the feedback.

I needed both CF and SD adapters for my T40. I ended up with two PCMCIA adapters, one for CF and one for SD. That's fine as I don't use the PCMCIA slots for anything else. This also means I don't have to carry around a separate USB multi-adapter.

Leo

Delkin makes a cardbus SD reader also, and I understand both PC Card slots are cardbuse. Be aware that the cardbus adaptors are significantly more expensive than the 16bit adaptors.

Nolonemo wrote:Maybe you'll have to use something like this (SD to CF adaptor) to use in a PC Card CF adaptor.
http://www.mittoni.com/securedigital/adapter2.html

BTW, since you have a high end machine, make sure to get a high speed CF adaptor.
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0310/03100 ... dbuscf.asp

I'm puzzled by this. I was informed that the CF to PCMCIA adapters were just re-configuring the conector and contain no active circuitry. If this is true, then a "high speed" version would have to be used hay. Am I missing something or is this a "Monster Cable" thing?

It's a "Monster Cable" thing! PC to CF adapters are just passthroughs, 16BIT or 32BIT doesn't enter into the equation.

Regards,

James

I would check out the DP Review review (DP Review is one of the premiere digital photography websites), which says the carbus will give approx 3.8 faster transfer speeds than a genric 16 bit slot adaptor. Apparently the Delkin cardbus adaptors get significantly faster throughput. I think the issue is not in the passthough itself, but in the adaptor's ability to be compatible with and take advantage of the greater bandwidth of the cardbus (vs 16 bit). But I don't really know....

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0310/03102 ... ustest.asp

Nolonemo wrote:I would check out the DP Review review (DP Review is one of the premiere digital photography websites), which says the carbus will give approx 3.8 faster transfer speeds than a genric 16 bit slot adaptor. Apparently the Delkin cardbus adaptors get significantly faster throughput. I think the issue is not in the passthough itself, but in the adaptor's ability to be compatible with and take advantage of the greater bandwidth of the cardbus (vs 16 bit). But I don't really know....

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0310/03102 ... ustest.asp

I am familiar with dpreview and have great respect for it but the physical device is unlikely to be the reason. My CF to PCMCIA adapter has two conectors on it both have the same number of pins as the device they fit. I would expect these are mounted on a circuit board with lands adjusting the pin out. Does a CD with some software come with the device? I don't use 'doze when I can avoid it but for OS/2 one can download cardbus software free for either 16 or 32 bits. I suspect that is the difference.

...

Thank you for your responses. I was of the impression that the t42 had only one usable slot where I could insert a PCMCIA card; if it has two, I will likely kit it out with a CF and a SD compatible card.

EWT