Review – Media Reader ExpressCard Adapter

Price: $29.95 MSRP

If you have one of those older MacBook Pros with an ExpressCard slot, and your camera uses an SD memory card, you may be jealous of the new MacBook Pro models that include an SD card reader. You may think you need to buy an external card reader and be overwhelmed with its annoying USB cable, to solve your issue. But there is no need for such a thing — in fact, your MacBook Pro can handle SD cards the same way the newer models can — with the Belkin Media Reader ExpressCard Adapter.

The adapter is a simple add-on that can be inserted in the ExpressCard slot in your MacBook Pro. The device is capable of reading up to twelve card models according to Belkin. Out of the box, it can read SD, MMC, MMCplus, MS, MS Pro, and xD-Picture Card, and with an adapter to fit the card in the slot it can read microSD, miniSD, MMCmobile, RS-MMC, MS Duo, and MS Pro Duo. Even if it is not written in the specifications, it can also read an SDHC card as well, but nothing says if it can access the new SDXC format. The card reader comes with a lifetime warranty.

To install it, insert the device into your ExpressCard slot, and it is done. There is no driver necessary, it just works out of the box. It fits flush to the MacBook Pro’s side and you won’t even notice that it is there. There is also no need to remove it from the slot when traveling to put your laptop in its bag. In a way, it is like having one of the new MacBook Pros with an SD card reader built-in. Like the new MacBook Pro, the SD card itself, once inserted, won’t fits flush to the computer side. In other words, you cannot travel with a card inserted in the slot. One thing you must be aware of, when you push your SD card into the slot, if you push too much, the Media Adapter may come out of the slot. That happened to me the first or second time, but you get use to it very fast.

There is an advantage to this method of keeping an ExpressCard slot in your computer. When you don’t need it, you can easily replace it with another card model, such as an eSATA or USB 3.0 card, and keep your laptop up-to-date with the latest technology. The newer MacBook Pro models (except for the 17″) do not have this expansion card anymore, making them restricted with their built-in technologies. If you’re searching for a use for your ExpressCard slot, and have a need for an SD card reader, this Belkin card is a must buy.