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Memory Stick Duo Pro Incompatible With Older Readers (Updated)

Sony Memory Stick Duo ProSony’s Memory Stick Duo is a smaller form factor of the company’s Memory Stick flash memory that is designed for small devices like cameras, smartphones, and PDAs. Memory Stick Duo media is available in 64MB and 128MB. Memory Stick Duo “Pro” cards are available in 256MB and 512MB (US$250) but the higher density media cannot be read by older PC card readers like the Sony MSAC-PC2 (below), you need to upgrade to the newer MSAC-PC3 (above).
This is important to me because I prefer to leave my Memory Stick card reader in the PC card slot of my PowerBook 15-inch at all times, leaving me one less cable to carry (and potentially lose). Besides, I find it much easier to eject the memory card from my camera and pop it directly into my PowerBook instead of hunting around for a cable and connecting it.
Another reason I don’t want to carry the cable is because the Sony DSC-T1 (which I reviewed in January) ships with a bulky cradle that must be used if you want to connect to your laptop via USB. Sony makes a travel-size USB extension cable for the DSC-T1 (model# VMC-15MU) but that costs extra.
1GB MS Duo Pro cards have been rumored to be coming out, too bad Sony’s proprietary memory is almost 50% more expensive than standard CD, or SD cards.
What’s your take on all these memory card formats? Which one(s) do you use and why? Comment below (no login required)


Sony Memory Stick Duo ProSony’s Memory Stick Duo is a smaller form factor of the company’s Memory Stick flash memory that is designed for small devices like cameras, smartphones, and PDAs. Memory Stick Duo media is available in 64MB and 128MB. Memory Stick Duo “Pro” cards are available in 256MB and 512MB (US$250) but the higher density media cannot be read by older PC card readers like the Sony MSAC-PC2 (below), you need to upgrade to the newer MSAC-PC3 (above).
This is important to me because I prefer to leave my Memory Stick card reader in the PC card slot of my PowerBook 15-inch at all times, leaving me one less cable to carry (and potentially lose). Besides, I find it much easier to eject the memory card from my camera and pop it directly into my PowerBook instead of hunting around for a cable and connecting it.
Another reason I don’t want to carry the cable is because the Sony DSC-T1 (which I reviewed in January) ships with a bulky cradle that must be used if you want to connect to your laptop via USB. Sony makes a travel-size USB extension cable for the DSC-T1 (model# VMC-15MU) but that costs extra.
1GB MS Duo Pro cards have been rumored to be coming out, too bad Sony’s proprietary memory is almost 50% more expensive than standard CD, or SD cards.
What’s your take on all these memory card formats? Which one(s) do you use and why? Comment below (no login required)

By Jason O'Grady

Founded the PowerPage in 1995.