Rosewill RDCR-13001 USB2.0 All in One Internal Card Reader w/ 3 ports USB2.0 Hub / eSATA port / Extra silver fascia panel / SATA Power

Pros: I was on vacation when this little guy came in the mail for me to review. This internal card reader is pretty neat device. Luckily I still had an open bay in a rig I built a couple years back to test this thing out. Setup is pretty easy to begin with (for those who are used to installing this type of device in a computer). Out of the package, you just slide into an empty bay and plug in the three cords (Power, SATA and USB). The cords may look short, but actually will fit most regular sized cases. Windows 7 handles the rest of the install. All-in-all it took me 5 minutes to install and test. One thing I liked about the device: Interchangeable face plates (Black and Silver). It really allows for that tiny bit of customization when working with silver cases…I just wish they would have created a face plate that was white for those rising in popularity white cases. Another good thing is the amount of cards this thing can read. Out of all of my memory cards for different gaming, phone and camera devices, it could handle them all. One weird pro: It has a 5V DC port…I am not too sure which device would use this, but if I run across one in the future at least I’ll have it. ESATA is always nice to charge those phones/cameras that charge through US when you shut off your computer.

Cons: -Like I stated in the pros, I wish it had a white face plate because I am planning another build with a white case I have my eye one. -The LED’s are a bit bright and annoying. I know they are there to make sure the you know the device is connected and working, but I wish they would tone it down a bit on the LED’s. -Only USB 2.0, not USB 3.0…with more and more motherboards supporting USB 3.0, you would have thought that Rosewill would have opted to add it into the reader…but I guess not. Kind of disappointed by this fact alone.

Overall Review: Overall, it is super easy to install. It reads almost any memory card you might have, but it has its downsides. Hopefully Rosewill in their next line of card readers will fix the cons I listed to make one awesome device. Still, it is a good device for those looking for memory card readers for those who can overlook those cons.

Pros: Performance: The device works as expected. Windows 7 knows enough to hide the bays that don't have a card plugged in. Also with Windows 7, you don't need to install any drivers, it does it automatically. Build quality: This seems like it is good build quality. I like how it is a solid drive instead of having the back opened like my other card reader. Installation: The installation was very easy. It slides into the drive bar and has three cords. One power, one SATA, and one front panel USB connector. I did not have a problem with the length of the cords (in case anyone was wondering). The cords seem short but they are long enough for inside the case. Unless you have a huge case, the cords should be long enough. Pros: -works how it is supposed to -solid build -easy installation -2 face plates (black and silver)

Cons: Blue light: The only con is the blue light. Whenever your computer is on, that annoying blue circle is on too. When you plug in a memory card, a dimmer green light turns on so why does it need that bright blue one? It is a good color blue but still too bright and direct. On the bright side (haha), since I don't usually need a card reader, the blue light reminds me that I have one. Cons: -everlasting bring blue light

Overall Review: Overall I cant complain too much. It has a lot of functionality, works how it is supposed to (hopefully it keeps working), and was easy to install. The only problem is the bright blue light.

Pros: Supports many different card types, allows file transfer between different cards plugged in (some readers don't do this), 5V DC jack (more on this in other thoughts), comes with silver colored faceplate. Every port I could test worked fine (I don't own anything that uses M2 or MS/MS Pro) and throughput was fairly good (10-22 MB/sec, depending on the speed of the card). USB 2.0 speeds ranged from 24-30 MB/sec which is all I would have expected from USB 2.0.

Cons: In my experience with these kinds of internal card readers the question isn't 'if' the device will fail, it's 'when'. I have owned many different kinds of internal card readers over the years from various manufacturers, and I think they are all made at the same plant that just slaps a different brand name on the front. The last time I bought one was a few years ago (I finally learned my lesson) and it lasted about a year. Hopefully this card reader by Rosewill will last - although I am a heavy user of card readers so ymmv. Also the device is only usb 2.0. This doesn't matter too much with card reading/writing speeds, and I believe there is a usb 3.0 reader that has additional usb 3.0 ports.

Overall Review: I believe I have purchased 5 or 6 of these kinds of card readers - all of them have failed. I admit that I use them more that most people (I work as a photograher), but the fact remains that every single internal card reader I have ever purchased has failed. Some lasted a year or longer, some lasted less. To have any expectation that a device like this will last forever is a bit naive. Perhaps the quality of this kind of device has improved over the years, only time will tell. I don't know what kind of device the 5V port is supposed to plug into with the included cable. I can only assume that it is meant for some kind of rosewill external enclosure as every external usb drive I own (I have 4) don't come close to fitting up with the included cable. It's still a nice thing to have, especially if you own something that the included cable works with.

Pros: 13001 Card reader. This appears to be a refresh of the venerable IM5001 75 in one reader with one change. The outdated Molex adapter has been replaced by a sata-style power cable. I’ve probably got 10 or so of the earlier model in various computers I’ve built or used. Well build, decent looking, with a history of reliability (based on the 5001 model). A serious pro, since we have a bit more confidence that this one will be reliable than a completely new design. Reads most any kind of card you might want. Three USB 2.0 ports driven from a motherboard header connector. eSata connector and 5.0 v output (with a cable) to power things like external drives. Two faceplates – one black one silver, fairly easy to interchange, but be sure you align it well, otherwise it will look sloppy. Three things to connect to your computer internally: Sata (motherboard, like plugging in a drive), USB 2.0 Header (also motherboard), and Sata Power (connect to your internal power supply.)

Cons: Who has 2.5 inch (floppy disk) mounting space in their cases anymore? Either make it 3.5 inch or provide an adapter. If you’re gonna refresh, why USB 2.0? How about USB 3.0 already. Shows up as 5 ‘devices with removable storage’ under windows 8. That’s before you plug in any cards…. I realize that’s just a nit, but seriously. 5 devices?

Overall Review: Having a built in card reader, especially one that also gives you extra USB ports and an eSata port can be especially convenient. For me, having eSata on the front means I can do cold backups very quickly, rather than using USB drives. Extra USB is just a bonus, as my cases generally have enough, but ymmv. I don’t’ plug in media cards often, but its nice not to have to go look for adapters or external readers. That said, an external reader could be less hassle. If you read through the feedbacks, you’ll notice that card readers sometimes go bad. That appears to be life. For me, a device with a reliable record beats having to buy a new card reader every 6 months. This could be it. Note to Roswill: Had trouble finding this device on newegg, please check you have it categorized correctly....

Pros: Two faceplates: Silver and Black. I don't really see a problem with this as it seems to be the standard of colors for COTS computers these days. "whiteboxes" that are actually white in color seem to be less and less common and the black faceplate could compliment almost any color. However, this item is cheap plastic and one could easily be painted. I imagine with how small it is, it would be easy to match some hobbyist paint to whatever case you have if that were important. For the price point, that wouldn't be a bad option for this device. Numerous formats: "75-in-1." I only tested this out with MicroSD, SD, eSATA, USB, and CF. All of them perform as well as any other USB->Card device. I have an old MiniSD from my old Sidekick 3 but I haven't gotten it to work just yet however it is advertised as working. I'm sure it's something wrong with me and not the device. Also interesting to note is that it includes a smaller 6v cable for various electronics that can use this. I'm not sure of the current output of such a plug, but I would imagine it's at least 350mA. This should power many small electronics that require 6v and less than 500mA such as an external hard drive or some other peripheral. Simple install: If you have a custom case with only 5.25 bays then hopefully you kept a converter handy. I know those are becoming more uncommon these days, but there is no 5.25 converter included with this device. There are three connections to make: SATA, Power, and the USB motherboard connection. I have a mid-ATX Coolermaster which is a rather large, but cluttered case. The cables are able to reach around my enormous crossfired 6950's and reach the front, no problems. Build: It feels cheaply constructed. I know Rosewill products are manufactured for the lower price point. This isn't a problem in my eyes since it's priced appropriately for it's build quality. I can't speak for longevity, however, for I have only been running it for a couple weeks now.

Cons: I don't think there are any cons with this device so far as I can tell. The LEDs do not seem overly bright, as I have noticed others mention. I understand it might be nice to be able to disable the LEDs but I also understand that such a feature would likely be for a device priced well above $20..

Overall Review: If you're in the market for a multi-card reader and have an extra $20 to shell out then you can't really go wrong with this. It won't break the bank, works well, and is simple to install. This device is intended for quick, easy access to unload or load a memory card or portable device from a centralized location on your desktop. Some others to consider if you require USB 3.0 would be either Rosewill's own RDCR-11003 or numerous other similar devices by Agptek [$16], nMEDIAPC, koutech, Silverstone, and Thermaltake- many of the latter costing an additional $10 to $25+. Bottom line: It's not a solid, high quality 5-star device assembled with the most expensive components that will give you many years of flawless operation. Or at least it doesn't feel this way. It is, however, a functional, versatile, and affordable multi-reader that seems worth every penny of the modest $20 price tag.

Pros: Easy to install and works as advertised. I have been using it to copy photo files from my camera to PC. Media used by the camera is MicroSD. No adapter required.

Cons: None so far.

Pros: Cheap

Cons: Cheap, the 2 interchangeable faces are mess up. The black one which I planned on using had a broken tab so it will not stay on the unit. The silver face is for some reason not going flush. It is bowed out like a boomerang.

Pros: This has everything anyone could ask for on it- reads/accepts most everything. Easy install. No software needed.

Cons: I'm sorry Rosewill - but you really need to make a product that works for an acceptable amount of time. I think I have purchased 4 Rosewill card readers total. Every time I think "They have learned their lesson.: Time for me to fess up and learn mine. Rosewill falls short right when you need it most. This is the second one I have owned of this particular part number. The first one stopped wotkin gin the first month and they replaced it for free. This replacement now has 3 bad USB ports and I need to finish my paper for school. On the first one the SD reader gave out. I am only an occasional user... I think I stick something in this reader an average of once every 5 or so days. This second unit I have had for almost a year. Considering how often I use it this failure rate is unacceptable. By the way - ALL four readers had issues in less than a year (most within 2 months) and in 3 different computers - so its not a computer specific issue.

Overall Review: Rosewill, your product concepts are great - just make a product that lasts, PLEASE!!!! Now I need to buy something else.... don't think it will be a Rosewill... Sorry!