If there is one thing I have noticed since I got my Pocket PC, it is the ever increasing need for storage.  When I bought it, I had a 1Gb CF card, now that has increased to 4Gbs.  When I first started using the Axim, I had no need for an SD card, I quickly bought a 1Gb card, and even that is now overloaded with programs. So, when I had the opportunity to review a 2Gb SD card, I jumped at the chance. 

I quickly found, however, that this is not just an ordinary 2Gb SD card.  Proporta has clearly done it again, creating the Apollo Rocket of SD cards in the Gemini Rocket program.  Not only does it connect seamlessly with your SD slot, but flip it around and it plugs into the USB port on any computer.  This is an amazing storage solution for anyone who needs to access information on multiple computers…even a Macintosh.

Overview: I tested this card by transferring it between four computers:  my Pocket PC which takes SD cards, my laptop which can take an SD card and a USB interface, my home computer which has a USB interface and a 7-in-1 card reader, and my work computer which has a USB interface but no SD card (I wanted to test it in a Macintosh as well, but no one I know is reckless enough to actually own one).

In the past, if I wanted to transfer a file or document from my work computer to my Pocket PC, I had to bring a card reader which allowed me to plug the SD card into the USB port, however, I never liked this solution.  The reader was too bulky to keep in my briefcase, and always seemed to be left at home on days when I needed it.  It also transferred at a significantly slower rate than my home computer which had a 7-in-1 card reader built in.  

The other solution was to save the documents onto a USB thumb drive, transfer them from the thumb drive to my laptop, and then  move them from my laptop to the SD card (or sync them onto my Pocket PC.)  

Needless to say, neither solution was ideal.  So, I have been searching fruitlessly (until now) for an easy and portable solution which would allow me to transfer documents and files directly from any computer to my SD card for use on my Pocket PC.

Performance: All I can say about this card is that it worked…as advertised… flawlessly.  I was, and still am, impressed!  I had three primary concerns when I was testing this card:

• the shape and size of the card
• speed 
• formatted space

Shape and Size: As you can see in the picture, the card has two sections: there is a squarish section which is the SD interface, and a rectangular protrusion, which is the USB interface.  My main concern was the the USB interface would extend beyond the top of my Axim, and possibly get damaged or broken if my Axim were bumped (in the above picture, the SD card is not fully inserted into the device). 

When I received the card, however, I found that Proporta must have anticipated this concern, because this card is absolutely tiny.  The main part is about half the size of a standard SD card, with the USB adaptor rising only to the top of my Axim, but not beyond.  In other words, when it is in my Axim, it turns out to be about the same size as a standard SD card, with a slightly different shape.  The fact that this card takes up no more space than a standard SD card is important, because it means that this card will fit into cameras, video cameras, and other devices, even if there is a door or cover over the SD card slot. 

Speed:  I thought the dual controllers for the SD and USB might slow down the performance of this card.  As I mentioned, I tested this card on every computer I could access.  I would plug it into the SD card reader, whip it out, flip it around and plug it into the USB port.  It never failed.  Not once.  As for the speed, it is as fast or faster than any other SD card or USB thumb drive I own (it is USB 2.0 compatible). 

Formatted Space: Finally, I was concerned that the dual SD-USB formatting would take up a lot of space on the card, causing the 2 Gb card to lose valuable storage space.  Again, however, I need not have been concerned.  Of the 2 Gb of space, the formatted drive offers approximately 1.8 Gbs of storage.  This is consistent with the amount of space required to format a standard card.

Price: This is an amazing storage card.  Now that I have one card that can serve multiple purposes, I want them all to do this.  It just seems like such a simple and obvious idea.  Then, I look at the price, which is the only downside to this amazing storage option.  At $109.95, it costs at least twice as much as any other 2GB USB drive or SD card available today.  In fact, with the prices of memory continuing to drop, I have seen some 2Gb SD cards and USB thumb drives selling for as low as $20.  So, if all you need is some extra storage, then the price might put this one out of your reach. If you need something that is mobile, compact, and versatile, then start saving your pennies, because this card will be worth every last one of them. 

Conclusion:  This is an extremely versatile card which can be read flawlessly in either a USB port or an SD card reader.  This means that you can take pictures on a digital camera, save the images on this card, plug it into the USB port on your computer, and read them instantly.  It also means that you can take documents or images from your computer, save them to this card via the USB port and plug it directly into the SD card slot on your Pocket PC.  From camera, to computer, to Pocket PC: three storage problems, one seamless solution.  If you regularly transfer  data or documents from one computer or device to another, and have grown frustrated (as I did) with your storage medium not being compatible with each device, then this is the perfect all-in-one card for you.  To paraphrase one of my favorite movies, "Houston, we [no longer] have a problem…" 

Technorati Tags: Proporta – SD card – USB – memory

Vital Statistics:

Name: Proporta 2 GB SD Card with Built-In USB

Where to Find It: Proporta

Price:  $109.95

Special Offer: For a limited time, receive a free SD/MMC Keyring with the purchase of the 2 GB SD Card with Built-In USB.