SD Flash memory cards

Just wondering if anyone uses flash memory to store anything other than pictures on. I thinking that i can use a 64gb flash card to put music on instead of using up space on my ssd. It could just reside in my laptop as opposed to a usb storage device that needs to be plugged in everytime I need it.
Is there any reason this is not something I should do? Perhaps read/write speeds being too slow?

Thanks!

 

If you're using it for just storage, even a slower SD card will be fast enough. For the past ~2 years, I've been using a slow, Class 2 16GB SD card in my T500 to store my music library. It's worked very well.

 

Yeah, I store all of my portable files on an SDHC card as well, basically for the same reason; I don't want to have a USB drive hanging out of my laptop all the time.

 

Do most laptop card readers support sdhc and sdxc? I'm looking to get a 128 gb card.

 

Not all laptop card readers are SDXC but most now should be SDHC. Ask the manufacturer.

This is exactly what I plan on doing to put my card reader to good use. My E425's built-in SDXC card reader is on the PCIe 2.0 bus (faster than USB 2.0). I'd like to use an SDXC C10 UHS-I card and take advantage of the high-speed bus. This would be a perfect solution for Documents, Music, Pictures, and Downloads that don't require true SSD speeds.

Since my E425 also has a PCIe 2.0 ExpressCard slot, I went ahead and got me a Transcend SDXC UHS-I ExpressCard card reader. This makes good use of the ExpressCard slot and provides me with even more storage possibility. This specific card mounts flush in my laptop and the SD card also mouunts flush. This one:

 

I don't, because:

1. On a $/GB level, an SDXC card isn't much cheaper than an SSD. In fact, 128 GB SDXC cards tend to be more expensive than 128 GB SSDs.
2. I have 750 GB of data, there's no way everything is going to fit on an SD card. Adding yet another layer of complexity to the "what goes where" game is a headache I could live without.
3. As you mentioned, it's slow.

I suppose that if I had a limited amount of data that I couldn't fit on my SSD but had to have with me at all times, I'd consider it. Then again, I'd more likely use the situation as an excuse to upgrade to a bigger (and newer/faster) SSD.

 

I checked with HP and found that the card reader is compatible with both formats. After checking prices, I found a sdxc by Kingston for @ $120, a few sandisc cards @ $ 140 at 45mbs. I think these will fill my needs really well.
With only a 160GB SSD, this will be a great way to keep that space from filling up too quickly.

 

You do realize you can buy 240/256GB SSDs for around $120-160, right? Lowest I've seen for 480GB is $260 (OCZ Agility 3).

 

Wow, I need to recheck that. I haven't seen them that low yet. Where are you purchasing? Also,

Part of me does not want to relinquish the manufacturer warranty though. I hear that HP will not help you if you have a problem with installation.

 

Got my Samsung 830 256GB from Beach Camera for $150 but both Newegg and Amazon have had it on sale for $160-165 on Daily Deals, Shell Shocker, Gold Box, etc. I forgot where exactly the $260 Agility 3 was available from. I just remember seeing it on SlickDeals and TechBargains (not a big fan of OCZ so I skipped that deal). I did, however, get a Crucial m4 512GB for $350 from Amazon back before they started charging tax in CA.

As for the manufacturer warranty, is the HDD user-replaceable on your laptop model (is there an easily accessible HDD panel in the laptop bottom)? If so, I believe you won't void the warranty if you upgrade. It's only if you have to take apart your laptop or break warranty stickers that warranty gets voided.

 

The SSD thing is a good point. If you're just going to end up keeping data on the same machine, I'd support the bigger SSD too. I only do the SD thing so that I can move and modify a particular set of files between multiple machines.

 

Isn't that what Dropbox if for?

 

Dropbox has limited storage space with the default free version which can be a problem and the last time i checked, it didn't support syncing over a network.

 

An SD card would just supplement an SSD, not replace it. Opting for a bigger SSD makes sense but I also want to take advantage of my SD card slot. A lot people complained about how some Ultrabooks didn't even have an SD card slot and they'd expect it to be there. So if its there, then make use of it right?

I would not want to have my files on an online server because then that means I have to be near an internet connection to retrieve those files. What if I'm not? I'd rather have those files locally, organized and distributed within my storage devices. Windows 7 and 8 easily allows for that.

 

Dropbox also stores a copy locally, but like i said, space is somewhat limited. Aside from that, the SD card isn't sticking on the side so it's great to have portable data on it.

 

That sounds better, and it auto updates/syncs? After rethinking I wouldn't mind having some backup files online too. Most of the times I am near an internet connection and the SD card remains a supplement.

 

Well stated. This is exactly why, for now, I feel that the sd option works for me. I do not wish to store files on a cloud service that requires an internet connection, not to mention the security issues that can arise. I'd much rather keep most of my data locally. A larger SSD is an option though, just not right now.

 

Hmm, you're okay buying a $140 128GB SDXC now but upgrading to a $150-170 256GB SSD is not an option...

Frankly, I think 128GB SDXC cards are currently overpriced. Imho, it's better to go with the SSD upgrade now and then just add an SDXC (if you still need it) when they've dropped down in price. Or as a stopgap, I'd just get a 64GB for $40 or thereabouts and wait until prices of either 480-512GB SSDs or 128GB SDXCs fall.