Card reader
Card reader may refer to any of the following:
1. Alternatively known as a media card reader, a card reader is a hardware device for reading and writing data on a memory card such as a multimedia card. Some card readers only have one card slot, and some have multiple card slots for different cards and media. The picture below shows an example of a USB (Universal Serial Bus) media card reader from Kingston. This card reader has a slot for miniSD, MicroSD, SD/MMC, MMCmicro, CF/MD, M2, and MS/DUO cards. Media card readers mostly find use for those who want to download information from expanded storage on a smartphone or digital camera.
Devices with built-in readers
Memory card readers are also built into some computers, printers, laptops, and can be put in a 5 1/4" or 3 1/2" drive bay in desktop computers. The picture (shown right) is a 3 1/2" drive bay media card reader for a desktop computer.
Does my computer have a card reader?
Not all computers come with a card reader. However, many laptops do have at least an SD card reader. To determine if your computer has a card reader, physically examine the front or side of the computer. If you have a desktop computer, it would have an internal card reader resembling the example shown in the above built-in reader. If you have a laptop, it would have one or two card slots on the left or right side of the laptop.
You have two options if the computer has a card reader but not the size you need. First, if you're trying to read a MicroSD card, there are MicroSD adapters, cards the size of an SD card with a hole for the MicroSD card. Once the MicroSD card is inserted into the MicroSD adapter, the SD card can be inserted into the SD card slot to be read. If you need a bigger slot like the one used with a CF/MD card, you'll need to purchase an external card reader for the computer.
Where can I get a card reader?
Below are links to our affiliate links with Amazon to get a card reader. If Amazon isn't available in your area, we also have a link to other places to buy computer parts.
2. With early computers, a card reader was another name for a punched card reader to read punched cards.
Flash memory, Hardware terms, Memory card, PC Card slot, Reader, Removable disk, SD card, USB thumb drive