About 12 days ago, we reviewed a 16-GB USB flash memory drive from A-DATA. A major problem that we’ve found with it is that its Write speed is extremely slow on Macs while it’s fine under Windows XP with the same machine. As we reported, it took almost 4 minutes when we transferred a package containing several files with a total of 72.2 MB from a FireWire-connected external hard disk drive to the USB memory. This Write speed is totally unacceptable.

Does that mean all USB Flash memory sticks are slow on Macs? And what are other affordable hardware alternatives to swap files between Macs and Windows through Boot Camp?

A week ago, I went to a local electronics store to buy a video cable. And I wanted to check out USB Flash memory sticks from other manufacturers. That’s when I saw a package that said SDHC·SD·MCO Card Reader/Writer. (See Screenshot 01.)

Screenshot 01: Source – MacHouse

Screenshot 02: Source – MacHouse

Screenshot 03: Source – Amazon.com

Huh? What is this product? The description of the product shown at the back of the package says that I can insert an SD/SDHC card and then that I can use the card as a USB flash drive. Umm… I have an extra 512-MB flash disk. And the price for this little product was only ¥980 (US$9.50). So I decided to try it out.  Continue reading →