Transcend’s P7 multi-card reader is slim and sleek, and it manages to pack six slots into one device: three USB, a microSD/microSDHC, an SD/SDHC/MMC/MMC plus/RS-MMC/MMCmobile, and an MS/MS Duo/HG. Its flexible gooseneck keeps things from getting frustrating, and the neck tucks away neatly for storage. The only downside is that two of its three USB slots may be just a bit too close together.
At a Glance
The Good: flexible neck, fast transfer speeds, comes with recovery download
The Bad: two USB ports too close for comfort
Get What You Need
A multi-card reader is only as useful as its ports, so make sure the one you choose has just what you need. If you’re only looking to expand your USB port roster, there are USB hubs out there that will do the job. A multi-card reader, on the other hand, is a great way to get rid of some of those cables that have been cluttering up your desk drawer. With the P7, which operates via USB 2.0, you won’t need one cable for your digital camcorder (use the SDHC slot instead), one for your cellphone pictures (the microSD slot), and one for your Sony digital camera (the MS slot).
Design
The P7 comes in white or an attractive glossy black, although it did show fingerprints easily. The flexible gooseneck that attaches the P7 to the computer allows you to twist and turn the card reader 360 degrees so you can easily access all ports. This can be extremely helpful if your USB ports are in difficult-to-access locations.
Measuring 3.5 x 2.1 x 0.4 inches, the P7 is about the size of a credit card. In order to keep its slim profile, Transcend put two of the USB slots fairly close together. Now, this won’t be a problem if the plugs and flash drives you’re inserting are 0.75 inches wide or smaller (and most USB flash drives and receivers are). However, if you favor novelty flash drives, or if the plugs you’re using are much wider than 0.75 inches, you’re not going to be able to use those two ports simultaneously.
LED indicator lights are on the device to let you know when things are plugged in and when data is transferring. Transcend offers a free download of its Photo Recovery Tool with the P7.
Operation
The cards, drives and plugs I tested (SD, microSD and USB) all slid easily in and out of their respective slots. Device recognition was quick, and file transfer was swift. I clocked a
read speed of around 54.4Mbps and a write speed of around 33Mbps when using a SanDisk 2GB microSD card -- these numbers can vary depending on your computer and the type of card you’re using.
Bottom Line
At around $17, the compact P7 would be a valuable investment for the frequent business traveler. Just be sure those ports are the ones you need. (If you require a card reader with a CF slot, for example, take a look at Transcend’s P8 multi-card reader.)
Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our
Ethics Policy.
