[alansky]

Right... I can't wait to spend hundreds of dollars on a solid-state storage card to replace by perfectly-functional $50 flash drive!

[Martian]

jeffharris said:

The majority of users don't need a machine with a card slot. It helps keep the price of the MacBook low and differentiates between it and the MacBook Pro.

ExpressCard slots and built in card readers are included on cheap PC’s not as a whim. Why should a $1200 Macbook not have these features that are standard on cheaper PC’s?

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I don't quite get the fixation with built-in memory card readers.

The best single example I can give is when transferring JPEG’s or movies from a digital camera to the computer, it’s best to just pop the camera’s memory card into a card reader.

* A card reader can transfer data several times faster than most USB on-camera connections. (Maybe some of the high end DSLR's are as fast as card readers???)
* Most point and shoot cameras don’t conform to USB mass storage standards, therefore don’t mount on the Mac desktop. Therefore you can’t just upload directly through the Finder.
* Some cameras have compatibility issues with Macs. Arguably then, Macs need card readers more than PCs do.

And why not just use a separate card reader? When you are wedged into a car or airplane seat, on the trail, or otherwise not able to spread out on a desk, you really don’t want to be juggling a USB or Firewire card reader or dongle. Aren?t Mac?s all about convenience and joy of the experience?

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There are numerous card formats. What if yours isn't supported?

Some PC's have multi-format card readers. But if yours isn't supported, you get an adapter for your ExpressCard slot. Of course, only the ExpressCard54 slot can take a CompactFlash adapter totally internally. The ExpressCard34 CompactFlash adapter sticks out waiting to get snapped off like a USB thumb drive.

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Besides, it adds to the bulk, complexity and cost of the machine.

HP for example, has a tiny 8" or 9" laptop that costs only $500-600 and that includes BOTH an SD reader and either an ExpressCard or PCMCIA slot.

[jeffharris]

"HP for example, has a tiny 8" or 9" laptop that costs only $500-600 and that includes BOTH an SD reader and either an ExpressCard or PCMCIA slot."

But then you're stuck running Windows! That's some advantage!

Apple's design philosophy is much different from kitchen-sink PC design.
Apple includes everything you may need, but nothing that is so specialized that only a minority will use it and leaves it up to the end user to set up his system the way he chooses. You've got all you need out of the box, even dual monitor support, but if you want/need more, just add and use those things. What is included can be augmented and expanded through third-party products. The amazing array of USB, FireWire and ExpressCard devices gives the user plenty of choice.

There's nothing superfluous on your Mac. It keeps the machines simple, clean and elegant. There's no reason to shoehorn in everything under the sun. Just look at the extremely compact MacBook (5.1 lbs) and MacBook Pro (5.6 lbs)! How many "full-featured" Windows machines weigh in at well over 6 lbs.

If you're a pro photographer, you're going to want a CompactFlash reader, not SD, etc. So, you have to buy a reader anyway.
On the flip side, if you use a point-n-shoot camera, there's no way you'd ever use CompactFlash.
Other users might plug the camera directly into their Mac and never use an internal reader.
So, who should Apple try to please? Everyone? Or leave it open-ended and up to the user to choose?

The PC box stuffers will jam every type card reader imaginable into a machine. More clutter, more complexity. Look at all the foolish lights and buttons on some PC laptops. Tacky. Ugly. Clearly, it's to try to make up for a poorly designed OS.

[Martian]

jeffharris said:

So, who should Apple try to please? Everyone? Or leave it open-ended and up to the user to choose?

The PC box stuffers will jam every type card reader imaginable into a machine. More clutter, more complexity. Look at all the foolish lights and buttons on some PC laptops. Tacky. Ugly.

These are the same arguments used to defend elimination of audio jacks, no ports on the font panel of PowerMacs, only one optical drive bay on PowerMacs. These were asinine design decisions that Mac fans loyally defended until Apple saw that the ?PC box stuffers? were right. Look at the Mac Pro's ports and bays.

Barbie and Ken are as smooth and portless as a Mac. But they have very limited function.

>Clearly, it's to try to make up for a poorly designed OS.

Without fail, whenever someone suggest that a PC maker has a better feature, someone falls back on the irrelevant OS mantra or bashes Microsoft.

If you blindly defend Apple, you neutralize the benefits of competitive pressures.

[ivan916]

Does anyone know of an express card that offers an HDMI input?

[jakecross]

I believe that the only HDMI capture interface available is the Blackmagic Intensity. It is a PCI Express card. You may be able to use it with the Magma ExpressBox which is an ExpressCard-to-PCI Express interface.

But, no, there is no ExpressCard HDMI Capture device. I wasn't even able to find an ExpressCard HDMI output device, except the Belkin High Speed Docking Station, which isn't Mac-compatible.