Hi,

please do not forget the ExpressCard wireless modems, like the 3G/ HSDPA card from Option (as many networks now offer this advanced speed):
http://www.novamedia.de/e_pages/e_produkte_gt_express_72.html

Thanks for your article,

Jan Fuellemann

Lack of ExpressCard (or even the old PCMCIA) slot is precisely the reason I can’t use a MacBook. Only Apple has the arrogance to produce a laptop without any slot. Even the cheapest entry level PC laptop or the most compact ultra-portable laptop has at least one.

As for the MacBook Pro, there certainly is room for the wider ExpressCard 54. The 54 costs no more to manufacture than the 34 and the 54 could accommodate a CompactFlash card reader.

So, I could get one of the Delkin hard drives and use it as a boot disk? Hmmm....

How many consumer level computer users do you know have, own, or otherwise would want the expansion of an expresscard slot? To top of your argument, the reason these super cheap PC models have it, is b/c many of them lack the ports already included on the fully featured (minus the card slot) macbook.

If you're a pro and need the expansion of the slot, then get a pro laptop and stop complaining.

And, if you need to use that old PCMCIA card for some reason, check out Duel Systems (www.duel-systemsadapters.com). This is especially important for video professionals (and others) who need to access the contents of Panasonic P2 cards on their MacBook Pros.

My Siig Firewire 400 Card has always been buggy. If I eject it, it freezes my MBP. If I put the 'puter to sleep .. it won't wake up. Besides that. It works fine. Hmmm. I even sent it in for repair and received a new one that did the same thing.

I have ExpressCard/34 Compact Flash and multi-card (SD) readers. I've never had a problem with them. NO drivers are required. I've heard of dicey behavior from some eSATA cards, though.

It's important to EJECT the card's iconfrom the Desktop AND be sure to power down the card from the Finder menu BEFORE pulling out the card. Otherwise, you can crash or worse.

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.

If you've got a MacBook and need a card reader or some type of expansion, buy a device that uses the FireWire port. Contrary to the FUD and popular mythology, USB2 is extremely inefficient for use with hard drives and such. USB2 is ideal for input devices, NOT mass storage and large file transfers, whereas FireWire was DESIGNED for that type of usage. Google it.

I don't quite get the fixation with built-in memory card readers. There are numerous card formats. What if yours isn't supported? Besides, it adds to the bulk, complexity and cost of the machine. For $10 you can get a tiny USB2 card reader from Iogear or the like. From companies like Lexar, you can get FireWire readers which are far superior and much faster than the USB readers.