Why should I consider getting an external (USB) memory card reader?
If you have an older non-USB camera, then it’s a no brainer. If you have an older USB 1.X camera, and your computer has a USB 2.0 connection, then you can still get a significant speedup from using an external reader. Even if your camera is USB 1.0 or USB 2.0 capable, you may still find that reading from an external reader is faster. There may be other usability advantages to an external reader as well. Despite USB connectivity, some cameras still require you to use a special program to transfer pictures from the camera, or to go through Microsoft’s clunky camera device interface. An external reader will let you use your memory card as if it were another hard drive, a potentially significant improvement in convenience. Finally, there is less drain on your battery if you use an external reader and less chance of accidentally running down your battery. I’ve done this one: The camera won’t power off if it’s connected to the computer. I’ve plugged in the camera to transfer a couple of file
