AFT PRO-37U All-in-one USB 3.0 3.5" Media Card Reader

Pros: Can use Internal or External.

Works with USB 2.0 (external) or USB 3.0.

Fast, based on my limited testing.

Works on Linux (Ubuntu 11.04; kernel version 2.6.38) on both USB 2.0 and 3.0.

Cons: On XP, it continually crashed Explorer, although I was still able to access files on the device. I have not tried installing any drivers. I bought this for my Linux machine. I only tried it on XP, via external USB 2.0 ports, to see if it worked.

Not a big con, because XP is getting rare, but I will not buy a drive like this for the new Win7 box I'm building, because I don't believe such devices should require proprietary drivers (as my Linux test proves).

Other Thoughts: The fastest card I have is only rated at "up to" 45 MB/sec. On linux, I was able to get 34.5 MB/sec via USB 2.0 and 40.2 MB/sec via USB 3.0. I'm pleased with this, but I just hope that's the card's limit I'm hitting and not the reader's.

I much prefer the faceplate of this version to that of the XM-37U. I like to keep the faceplate of my machine as clean and simple as possible, so I dislike the colored blocks on the other version.

Pros: Fast Read/Write... Not as fast as I would have expected but much faster than any other card reader I've used in the past.

Cons: None really... Well it's a bit pricey.

Other Thoughts: Having read the reviews here about high failure rate I was hesitant to buy this unit.

I'm a Professional Photographer and to have my card reader take a dive would suck to say the least... Not super critical but it would be a big PITA.

Rather than wait for it to die or something I've cycled it now about 50 times: boot, read, write, charge my phone... Blah blah Blah (yeah I was bored) and so far it has preformed flawlessly.

Pros: When they work there awesome especially when you connect them to the 20 pin USB 3.0 Motherboard header. Makes windows installs a breeze!

HOWEVER - READ THE CON

Cons: I have purchased 5 of these 3 were DOA's oob. attempted RMA via AFT no go would not do claims user caused error. Negatory!!!!

So I took the 4th unit which was also a Pro 37u and it worked fine for 3 days, next the Card Reader died even though the single USB 3.0 port continued working. I had one more Pro 57U (5.25" Bay) I pulled the card out of it and installed it in the case for the 37U and it worked fine for a day or 3 then again the Card Reader portion died leaving only the single USB 3.0 port alive

Other Thoughts: Now since I have always had good luck with Rosewill I have bought a Rosewill and a Kioutech the El.-Cheapo models as it is hard to find 3.5 internal units with 3.0 card readers. These will prolly work forever, we will see...

Pros: Solidly built with smooth feeling slots; when windows found the unit it worked fast and correctly. Give you a super fast front USB 3.0 port that most cases do not offer yet.

Cons: Bought 2 of these and neither one worked correctly. the USB 3.0 port worked fine but Win7Pro 64bit only would find the card readers if I plugged in the cable after my computer was booted, problem was once turned off a restart the card slots no longer worked no did windows see them.

Other Thoughts: I have Atech Flash's USB 2.0 version of this same reader and it has been fast and perfect since day one.

Pros: It can be used as an internal and external both. Fast when it works.

Cons: It has a drivers problem. It looks like conflicting with windows storage drivers.
I had to remove and re-install drivers loaded from the manufacturer's web site every time to use.
Of course, Newegg does not pay for return shipping.
I have to pay myself for the return shipping.

Pros: Can be used as internal and external..

Cons: I am using windows 7 64bits OS. Drivers I downloaded from the manufacturer's web-site is not really working I have to re-install drivers every time I need to use.

Pros: AFT tech support really came through. They sent a replacement unit with a prepaid return box for the original unit. Unfortunately, same problem with the replacement unit. Shortly after that, they sent me an email indicating some potential USB 3.0 conflicts with the Marvell Storage Utility V4, which happened to be installed on my ASUS P8Z68 W7 64bit Home Premium system. I uninstalled this software and the AFT device began working flawlessly. (I assume the original AFT unit was fine, as well.) My system was also hanging on startup once in a while in what seemed to be a conflict with my USB 3.0 WD external backup drive. Removing the Marvell Storage stuff cured that problem, as well. This is an example of a hardware vendor going the extra mile - 5 eggs in my book.

Cons: Still don't like the overly long cables for internal installation, but I can't complain any more as this is an easy fix with cable ties.

Pros: Very fast transferring large HD video files from a Patriot 64mB SDXC card (when it works). Seems to take just about every type of media. Nice look once installed in a 3-1/2" bay.

Cons: Vendor does not have a USB 3.0 driver ready yet, but advises the generic Windows 7 driver should be fine. However, this device does not always read SDHC or SDXC cards correctly. On a "hot" insert of the media, it shows up in Explorer as a drive letter, but a mouse click to see the files generates an error to "insert disk". A reboot with the media in place usually corrects the problem. The vendor recommended/offered an RMA replacement, but has stopped responding to my emails after I submitted the RMA form. Also, it uses unique USB 3.0 cables that are way too long for a neat internal installation.