you have bought your digital camera, you've taken some great photos and you want to view them on your computer. Well, most digital cameras can be plugged directly into a computer via USB cable. However, there is an alternative method which many photographers use which is an external card reader/writer.

These also plug into your computer and are available in a wide variety of types, sizes and colours. Unlike a digital camera, they can be left permanently plugged into your computer if you wish.

Benefits of a card reader 

1. Convenience, no more reaching behind your computer to fiddle with cables.
2. Speed, available in Firewire and USB 2.0 types, high transfer speeds can be achieved.
3. Compatibility, most cameras only take one kind of card, some readers can take all different types of memory card.
4. Power, using a card reader saves your camera's power for taking photographs.
5. Can be used to transfer small files between computers faster than with floppy disk.