Good online source for MicroDrives...

[phendric]

Hi everyone,

Recently at work most of the employees were given iPods as gifts for work well done. I, just being an intern, received an iPod 512 MB Shuffle. It has good sound and is easy to use, but I also have an x50v, which has a nice display and better sound (in my opinion - only slightly, though).

I decided to give the iPod to my wife, who was using my x30 for an MP3 player, but wanted something more simple to use (and likes the iPod). Thus, I'm going to sell my x30.

With the money I make on the sale, I want to upgrade either my battery, or memory, or both on my x50v. I currently have a Sandisk 1GB SD card, which I like, but it's not enough to hold all of my music. I'd like to get maybe a 2GB CF card or microdrive, but I've read of problems with microdrives other places on this site.

My question is the following: what should I watch out for when shopping for a microdrive/CF card, and what are some of the more reputable sites for selling ones that will work in PDAs?

Thanks,
Phillip

[solorray]

I have an x50v & I bought an Hitachi 6 GB MicroDrive @ dell.com for $279.00. So far it works great. I 2gb of mp3 on it a use it allmost every day. Have no problems.

[Grentz]

Stay away from the Magicstor Microdrives...they do not work with most of the X50 units

Also, Remember that if you get a microdrive, you probably will want to get an extended battery also or a second standard battery as it decreases your battery life quite a bit

Hitatchi has proved to be the best out there, so i would look for one of theres, also make sure you get the RETAIL version, not OEM as some of the OEM drives are IDE mode only and do not work on the X50 units or any other CF type units for that matter.

[ctstan]

i have a Hitachi 4gb -- bought from Dell. I use it DAILY and have never had issues with it. Right now it is loaded almost to capacity with music, an MLS soccer game, the season 2 episodes of desperate housewives, iguidance maps, and i don't know how many e-books

[turbonium]

Ya I just got myself A Hitachi 6GB microdrive yesturday. I am very satisfied with the performance and ease of use. I was able to sample the microdrive two years ago and was just waiting for the price to go down. I have pictures, family guy episodes, mp3, and movies on the drive.
: MICRODRIVE

[0gopogo]

...
My question is the following: what should I watch out for when shopping for a microdrive/CF card, and what are some of the more reputable sites for selling ones that will work in PDAs?
...

aximcases.com sell the standard 1100 mAh battery for $19. Sweet price. newegg.com often have good deals on storage cards. And they ship fast. I have also bought from amazon.com and others, but not buy.com nor ecost.com - or the likes. I do not trust ebay either. Google and froogle help. Review privacy, shipping, and other policies before you order.

IMO, keep you fingers off any MicroDrive < 4GB. $80 for a 2GB MD might sound tempting until you find out about shipping costs, toll on battery life, lack of speed & reliablity. A 2GB CF for $110 or less plus an extra battery will be so much more useable/useful.

(For the record, I do like the 6GB Hitachi MicroDrive - and got mine for $235. But still, anyone happy with the sound quality of 128 kbit-encoded MP3 music will probably prefer a 4GB CF card plus a 1100mAh battery instead of just a 6GB MicroDrive for the same price. At 128kbit MP3 you should be able to pack at least 800 songs on a 4GB card.)

[ppt]

too many SDs & MMCs + a f*cked up magistor finally made me got for a CF>SD adapter

bcos i use my x50v as a laptop replacement, i can't really afford to have use it as an mp3 player due to limited battery life

but hey, if u really want a MD or CF ebay is a good place to have a look.