Ultra Compact Dual Slot Micro SD readers?  Does anything like this exist? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: salil
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2015, 11:34:33 am
content: Does anyone know where I can get a tiny dual slot micro SD reader? I currently have a micro sd reader like this always plugged into my laptop for added storage space of less frequently used large files. It's great because it only sticks out a couple millimeters from the USB port. With how small micro sd cards are, it would seem likely that there would be a dual slot micro sd reader that is only slightly larger?I've seen loads of dual slot readers like this but they stick out too far to warrant being kept plugged in to a laptop all the time:Has anyone seen anything lower profile that has dual micro sd slots? I've also seen the dual micro sd > memorystick duo and dual micro sd to CF adapters which also protrude quite a bit in any reader.EDIT: For those asking, I have a 2013 11" Macbook Air.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2015, 11:39:52 am
content: You know its time for a bigger HDD when you're using microSD cards for more space

author: salil
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2015, 11:42:08 am
content: Quote from: Psi on April 04, 2015, 11:39:52 amI can't because of Apple :/I only keep a couple large files on it which aren't used constantly such as various virtual machine installs. It's also handy on the go since I use all micro sd cards in my camera.

author: BlueBill
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2015, 01:40:02 pm
content: Quote from: salil on April 04, 2015, 11:42:08 amWhich MacBook are you using?

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2015, 02:50:09 pm
content: You mean Apple laptops don't have replaceable HDDs now? Not surprised, but... you should've known when you bought it.Those dual-slot readers might be mostly empty space inside - open one up and find out if you can repackage it in a smaller casing.

author: mathsquid
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2015, 03:36:27 pm
content: Quote from: amyk on April 04, 2015, 02:50:09 pmOf course you can replace the HDD in an apple laptop. There are tons of videos of how to do it on youtube and ifixit.

author: Someone
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2015, 09:08:30 pm
content: Quote from: mathsquid on April 04, 2015, 03:36:27 pmThe majority of models from the last 3 years use proprietary SSD blades, which can change from year to year and have very narrow compatibility. A replacement SSD for these machines can cost 4-5x more per GB than commodity SSD drives. There stubby USB drives and half height SD cards marketed as additional storage that you leave in the socket at all times.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2015, 09:31:13 pm
content: Wouldn't a dual card reader have additional componentry for managing data?Maybe that's why the form factor is much larger.Go with 2 small readers IMO.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2015, 10:27:36 pm
content: Maybe you could find some room inside and mount a usb key internal.

author: Marco
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2015, 10:32:35 pm
content: I don't think it's physically possible to stuff two micro SD cards under the normal USB contacts (which is how they get them so small).

author: ivan747
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2015, 02:20:53 am
content: Quote from: Psi on April 04, 2015, 10:27:36 pm"Empty space inside" has been a foreign concept in most Apple products for years, usually, they design them so that all the residual volume is filled with the battery.Have you considered swapping the SSD as well as selling your old one?

author: codeboy2k
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2015, 04:53:05 am
content: I don't think they need to be as thick and bulky as your picture shows.The MAX14500 series (not recommended for new designs) is a dual SD port card reader that interfaces directly to the USB port, no drivers needed, and it's just 5mm x 5mm.I think that bulkyness is for our fat fingers, but you could spin your own.

author: Someone
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2015, 11:59:10 pm
content: Quote from: mojo-chan on April 06, 2015, 05:10:15 pmJust like every phone? Its re-imagining the laptop as a consumer product (which to be fair is where most of the apple laptops sell to) pushing wireless for everyday connections and data transfer through cloud sync instead of physical media, so when you move from device to device the data is already there.Not a product for the old fashioned computer user.

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2015, 12:25:40 am
content: A phone is not a laptop. I wish my phone had more expansion ports.They'recastratingthe laptop, not "re-imagining" it - what a load of BS. Almost all chipsets have half a dozen or more USB ports available, they just didn't route the traces and add more ports because they wanted to force you into their locked-down ecosystem and pay to do everything through them. Apple wants to control your data and your life./rant

author: Nerull
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2015, 03:39:22 am
content: So don't get one? It's an ipad with built in keyboard. Its not intended to replace a full laptop.

author: BradC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2015, 04:19:45 am
content: Quote from: amyk on April 07, 2015, 12:25:40 amTwaddle. Apple create products that *just*work* for a whole lot of people. You don't need to buy their products, just like you don't need to drop your trousers and wave your opinions around unsolicited.

author: Jeroen3
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2015, 07:25:31 am
content: Don't the macbooks use msata ssd slots? Not so proprietary if you ask me. Just wait until there is market for those things, shouldn't take much longer.

author: ivan747
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2015, 11:46:32 am
content: Quote from: Someone on April 06, 2015, 11:59:10 pmSomebody finally gets it.

author: ivan747
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2015, 11:49:58 am
content: Quote from: mojo-chan on April 07, 2015, 09:14:00 amI can confirm this. OP, are you sure your Mac doesn't have one of these? I remember seeing these being sold specifically for Macs with an inflated price, but you can get regular ones cheaper.

author: BlueBill
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2015, 02:43:10 pm
content: OP never did say which MacBook they wanted more space on.

author: Someone
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2015, 11:16:34 pm
content: Quote from: ivan747 on April 07, 2015, 11:46:32 amSomeoneIts not a computer I would ever want, but I can see how it fits in with the "Ecosystem" of users who use the default settings and rely on cloud storage.

author: codeboy2k
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2015, 04:37:00 am
content: @offtopic{Begin}I would never use it either, but I agree with the cloud storage idea ( somewhat ) if you use multiple devices.The single USB port for both USB and charging the laptop is just plain stupid stupid stupid apple stupid.As for cloud storage, I like it because I can access all my documents from any device. However, I don't use the "real" cloud very much as I have my own LAN server at home. All my PC's, android tablets, ipads, iphones and android phones are connected to my own server via home WiFi, so I can access and read anything on any device. When I go out of the house, my home is accessible via VPN so I still have access to my home server. I also use dropbox on all my devices too if I really need to use that.I don't agree with storing everything on the cloud just to have to download it everytime I want to read/access it, and take up more of my monthly download limit. Dropbox is really stupid this way (as I'm sure all the others are too). If I have a public folder shared with 5 devices, Dropbox will upload it once and download it 4 times across my ADSL link. They are supposed to have a LAN-sync function but this never seems to work for me on all my WiFi connected devices.Sparkleshare seems interesting, in that it specifically uses LAN sync for local storage and also uploads it once to a cloud server (you're own local server, or github or bitbucket) It's all based on git underneath the shared folder, so you have built-in version control too. And it works on Windows, Mac OS X and Linux (no mention of iOS or Android). I'll want to give it a try, actually, but I need Android at least.@offtopic{End}

author: salil
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 22, 2015, 07:21:11 am
content: Quote from: BlueBill on April 07, 2015, 02:43:10 pm2013 Macbook Air 11"

author: ivan747
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2015, 02:37:45 am
content: Quote from: salil on April 22, 2015, 07:21:11 amSee if the MacRumors guys know of an upgrade. It might turn out better than you would expect.

author: Riotpack
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2015, 05:03:57 am
content: My friends macbook air has the "HDD" chips soldered to the board

author: BradC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2015, 05:18:07 am
content: Quote from: Riotpack on April 28, 2015, 05:03:57 amGot any more details or a photo? All Macbook Air's have *always* shipped with a removable SSD module. Soldered RAM, for sure. Not the SSD however.Check out eshop.macsales.com (OWC). If it's available, they'll have it.

author: neslekkim
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2015, 08:31:49 am
content: Quote from: Riotpack on April 28, 2015, 05:03:57 amCheck here, everyone have removable ssd:https://www.ifixit.com/Device/MacBook_Air_11%22