Sandisk introduce four new card readers

New Models All Include Hi-Speed USB 2.0 Technology SanDisk today introduced a new line of single slot ImageMate card readers for a variety of popular flash memory cards. The four new ImageMate models all have hi-speed USB 2.0 connectivity.

One single slot reader (SDDR-91) accepts CompactFlash* Type I and Type II cards along with the IBM MicroDrive cards, the second (SDDR-93) has a slot for SD and MultiMediaCards, the third model (SDDR-95) has a slot for SmartMedia and the xD-Picture Card and the fourth model (SDDR-97) works with the Memory Stick* and Memory Stick PRO*. The latter model is the first card reader in the industry for both the Memory Stick and the Memory Stick PRO. The new single slot readers have a suggested retail price of $19.99 except for the SmartMedia/xD model that is priced at $24.99. These new readers will be available early in the second quarter at many of the 50,000 stores worldwide where SanDisk branded products are sold.

Eric Bone, a SanDisk product marketing manager, said, "These new readers, which now comprise the entry-level part of our card reader line, extend the award-winning industrial design established by our ImageMate 6-in-1 memory card reader and our popular Cruzer* portable storage device. We think consumers will appreciate the compactness, great value and high performance of the single slot readers. And for those who want the ultimate in card readers, our 6-in-1 reader is still the product to buy."

Most card readers today have USB 1.1 technology that has the slower data transfer rate of 12 megabits a second (Mbps). With hi-speed USB 2.0, SanDisk's new single slot card readers are capable of data transfer rates of up to 480Mbps. The new readers, about the size of a deck of cards, are small enough to easily fit in a purse or briefcase. They also include a standard, detachable USB cable.

All SanDisk ImageMate readers are true "plug and play" due to USB Mass Storage Class (MSC) compliance when used with Windows ME, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Mac OS 9.2.1+ and Mac OS 10.1.2+. A driver also is included for Windows 98SE support.