14 DAY TRIAL // Although most portable (and even desktop) computing systems available on the market nowadays come packed with a built-in memory card reader, various peripheral manufacturers keep rolling out standalone versions, which, however, come in very portable form factors. And that's exactly the case with the latest offering from Transcend, namely the S6 model, which provides instant plug-and-play access to all the data on one's memory cards via the built-in USB connector.
First of all, it's important to note the fact that, at least at a first sight, the S6 has about the same size (and shape) like a bulkier USB flash drive, which means that it can be very easily carried around in a laptop bag, for example. Furthermore, the design of the curvy, white body reminds us of some of Transcend's own flash-based portable storage solutions.
The number of compatible formats is a critical issue in the case of any memory card reader, but it would certainly seem that the S6 really has some (but not all) aces up its sleeve in this department as well. Thus, the device from Transcend supports some of most popular types of memory cards currently on the market, as it offers direct support for SD, SDHC, MMC, MMCplus, xD Card, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, and supports miniSD, miniSDHC, microSD/TransFlash, microSDHC, MMCmobile, RS-MMC, MMCmicro, Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO Duo and Memory Stick Micro (M2) via an adapter. Strangely enough, the device doesn't feature an CF slot, which is, after all, the format used in high-end digital cameras (mostly DSLRs).
Furthermore, the input device is compatible with Window Me / 2000 / XP / Vista, Mac OS 9.0 or later, Linux Kernel 2.4.2 or later, and even supports Vista ReadyBoost compatible memory cards, which makes it quite useful for those (relatively few) users who actually use the aforementioned feature from Microsoft's latest OS in order to enhance their computer's level of functionality.
There's no info on the exact moment when this thing will arrive in stores (or on its price, for that matter), but I'd say that the sooner the better, because this thing could really come in handy for those notebook owners with lower-end machines.
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