8140 A freestanding media card reader can be a great convenience in transferring data from your camera(s) to your computer, or between computers and other devices that use media cards, such as the 13 inch and 15 inch MacBook Pros.

Atech Flash Technologies' new PROGear G5X Multiformat Media Reader/Writer is a Mac OS X. (10.1.2 or later)-friendly device of a type that we will probably see becoming much more common as media cards gradually supplant and perhaps eventually displace CD and DVD optical drive media. Think of it as analogous to a peripheral DVD drive for the future.

A USB 2.0 (works with USB 1.1 at commensurate speeds as well) drive, the ProGear G5X requires no driver support from either the MacOS or Windows (2000, XP, Vista, 7) if you're a cross-platform user. However, if you want custom color media drive icon support (Windows only), a downloadable driver is available to enable flat.

Media supported by the PROGear G5X includes CompactFlash Type I, CompactFlash Type II, CompactFlash UDMA, Microdrive, Magicstor, xD - Picture Card, xD - Picture Card type H, xD Picture Card type M+, Secure Digital (SDHC,) Mini SD (HC, microSD (HC), MultiMedia Card, MMC plus v 4.0, MMCmobile, RS-MMC, MemoryStick, Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick Pro, and Memory Stick Micro. with a transfer rate up to USB 2.0's (theoretical) maximum of 480 Mbps.

Connecting the device to your computer is simplicity itself since it's USB bus-powered (5 volt). Just plug the supplied USB 2.0 cable into a USB port on your computer, the other end into the G5X, and you're good to go. For best performance it's probably wisest to use the full-powered USB 2.0 port on Mac books, MacBook Pros, and PowerBooks.

I don't usually dwell a lot on "unboxing" in my device reviews, but the box that the PROGear G5 X. ships (and can be stored) in is so cool I have to mention it. It's just a plain black, hinged-lid cardboard box, but nicely padded and sturdy enough to be a keeper for storing the reader in when it's in transit or just not in use.

The device itself has an aluminum satin finish housing that harmonizes with Mac styling of the past decade or so. Looped upper and lower standoffs are reminiscent of the Mac Pro tower's loops, the bottom ones with rubber pads to protect support services, and the PROGear reader seems to be very rugged and well constructed.

There are five media card slots in the device's front face:

• XD Picture Card

• Micro SDHC

• Standard-width and mini SDHC/Mini SD/MMC

• CF/MD/UDMA

• M2 plus M5 MS/PRO/Duo

The unit's back panel contains a single UBS connector port.

You can concurrently transfer files from one media card to another between slots. The Compact Flash socket design is pin-protected, and the device also supports the latest "H" and "M" type XD - Picture Cards. The G5X is compatible with the latest UDMA and Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC) memory cards, and the device is firmware upgradeable to ensure compatibility with upcoming media cards. However, it's recommended that you format media cards in the device they're to be used with and not in the PROGear G5 X.

Criticisms? I didn't find anything significant to complain about other than that as usual with both hardware and software products these days, the documentation enclosed is minimalist, in this instance consisting of a six-page quickstart guide, although to be fair, this device is pretty intuitive and simple to use, and the five media card slots are clearly labeled. THe $49.99 price tag seems justified by the evident ruggedness and solid design of the PROGear G5X.

The unit's dimensions are 5.27" x 2 .52" x 4 .92"

System Requirement:
Mac OS X and later
Windows 2000/XP/Vista 32
Windows 7

USB 2.0 port

Price $49.99

For more information, visit:
http://atechflash.com/products-G5X.html



Charles W. Moore

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