This card reader will accept Type I or Type II Compact Flash cards. It is compatible with nearly every popular Operating System, except Windows NT (which isn't that popular anymore-anyway) Windows ME, Windows XP, Windows 2000 and Mac owners won't even need to install any software to get the card reader up and running. Simply plug the reader into a USB slot and the device will be assigned a drive letter able to accessed just like a floppy disk. Windows 98/98SE users will be forced to install the supplied drivers before they can use the device.

     The card reader is very simple by design and nature, with no moving parts and only one LED to look at. The card is installed and removed by physical force, and can only be inserted "correctly." Keyed notches and grooves are built into the Compact Flash standard to prevent mishandling the media and destroying either the card or the device you intend to use it with. Push the card into the reader as far as it will go and the hard part is over. Plug the reader into an empty USB port and the process is almost over. Once the device has been recognized by your computer, the LED (that small button looking thing down by the USB connector) will illuminate green to show that the card reader is ready. During reading and writing operations the LED will flicker and flash to represent access. Since most enclosures only have the USB ports available in the back, Crucial also supplies an extension cord that measures almost three feet in length.

     Conclusion

     Performance with these types of devices is mostly limited by the USB 1.1 interface, which really isn't a limitation at all. Considering the nature of the data on the card and the alternatives we have to transport and manipulate the devices, card readers truly are time saving devices. Priced very moderately at $19.95 (US Currency) the card reader comes in well under the price of some camera AC/DC adapters. Digital camera's are not the only use for devices such as this, you could load up a couple Compact Flash cards with your favorite MP3s and take the device to work and play your favorite tunes while you crunch away on the computer. Also, you could save projects safely and reliably on a Compact Flash card and work on it where and whenever the opportunity presents itself. There is no arguing that a Compact Flash card is several times more reliable than a floppy disk.