Nexus 7: Is lack of SD card port a deal breaker for you?

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by taosaur

Meh, an ethernet port is maybe a good emergency fallback in case a router dies, but optical drives are basically obsolete. Both the drives and the associated media take up a lot of space, as well as generating noise and heat in operation and being extremely prone to failure. Many people rip them out of older Macbooks to install additional hard drives or SSDs. Even for a desktop machine, it makes more sense to keep an external drive boxed in a closet for occasional use.

I rarely use the DVD drive on my PC. I'm finding that, as times passes, I'm using less features. My computer usage now is mostly net surfing, so my current PC is overkill and way too large. I want something tiny and simple, so my next computer is going to be a Chromebox; once the prices drop.

[WillysJeepMan]

Originally Posted by taming

I believe the point was not that it isn't supported (we all seem to know that) but that Google has not ruled out support in the future by specifically listing it as unsupported in the manual. For those that are so inclined, root has been achieved and Stick Mount works for attaching things like SD cards and USB flashdrives. Not for direct play of videos and music at this point, but for file transfers on to the device.

That wasn't the point, but then again the discussion has drifted.

Technically, almost anything is possible, but when we're comparing devices WITH SD card slots vs. those without a slot but with USB hosting, out-of-the-box support is the important factor.

I find it interesting that Apple got blasted(deservedly so) for not providing an SD card slot in the iPad, even though the iPad could be jailbroken and software installed to support USB storage media.... and yet Google produces a tablet without an SD card slot and somehow it's no big deal because the tablet can be rooted and custom software installed.

[ilovejedd]

Originally Posted by WillysJeepMan

I find it interesting that Apple got blasted(deservedly so) for not providing an SD card slot in the iPad, even though the iPad could be jailbroken and software installed to support USB storage media....

I don't think you need to jailbreak the iPad to get USB mass storage. I think you can get official support by buying the camera connection kit.

Originally Posted by WillysJeepMan

Google produces a tablet without an SD card slot and somehow it's no big deal because the tablet can be rooted and custom software installed.

Nah. The reason it's not as big a deal is because Google's tablet only costs $200. Same price as the Kindle Fire but comes with a whole lot more hardware (quad-core CPU, 1280x800 px display, front-facing camera, GPS, etc). At this price point, lack of an SD card slot is disappointing but not exactly something to rake Google over the coals.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by WillysJeepMan

I find it interesting that Apple got blasted(deservedly so) for not providing an SD card slot in the iPad, even though the iPad could be jailbroken and software installed to support USB storage media.... and yet Google produces a tablet without an SD card slot and somehow it's no big deal because the tablet can be rooted and custom software installed.

It's a big deal for quite a few of us on this board. We're blasting Google for leaving it out and trying to force us into their ecosystem.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by ilovejedd

I don't think you need to jailbreak the iPad to get USB mass storage. I think you can get official support by buying the camera connection kit.

Dongles

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by ilovejedd

Nah. The reason it's not as big a deal is because Google's tablet only costs $200. Same price as the Kindle Fire but comes with a whole lot more hardware (quad-core CPU, 1280x800 px display, front-facing camera, GPS, etc). At this price point, lack of an SD card slot is disappointing but not exactly something to rake Google over the coals.

I'll rake them over the coals for it. As is, it's a deal breaker. No matter how good the hardware is, a tablet without content and no WiFi nearby is worthless.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

I'll rake them over the coals for it. As is, it's a deal breaker. No matter how good the hardware is, a tablet without content and no WiFi nearby is worthless.

At least, though, with Android the buyer has the choice: buy a tablet with an SD slot or without, the choice is yours. The tablet I have, for example, the Galaxy Tab 2 7.0, gives you an SD card and TV output for $50 more than the price of the Nexus.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by HarryT

At least, though, with Android the buyer has the choice: buy a tablet with an SD slot or without, the choice is yours. The tablet I have, for example, the Galaxy Tab 2 7.0, gives you an SD card and TV output for $50 more than the price of the Nexus.

That's true. Samsung should be pleased that Google hamstrung the Nexus 7.

[Kumabjorn]

Originally Posted by tubemonkey

Dongles

That word always make me giggle.
I'm such a nasty dirty girl.

[heySkippy]

Originally Posted by ucfgrad93

Just want to point out that it is only the retina screen model that doesn't have the optical drive and you need a dongle to plug in an ethernet cable. The other models still have those features.

The new MBP/R is too thin for an Ethernet port or optical drive. If you want thin and light then all that giant legacy baggage has to be left behind in favor of smaller, more versatile alternatives.

I've got one on the way and I'm pretty sure I'll never buy the Ethernet dongle to go with it. I can't remember the last time I plugged in to the jack on my current MBP.

I was sure I would want USB & SD for my iPad, so I bought the camera kit and it was a waste of money. I used the dongles a couple times out of curiosity and then never got them out again.

I know there are people in the world who simply must have an SD slot or a real USB jack or an Ethernet port or a built-in optical drive. Many of them are posting in this very thread. I'm not one of those people, though, and I think the large majority are like me and ready to move forward rather than insisting on clinging to the relics of the past.

[tubemonkey]

Originally Posted by heySkippy

I know there are people in the world who simply must have an SD slot or a real USB jack or an Ethernet port or a built-in optical drive. Many of them are posting in this very thread. I'm not one of those people, though, and I think the large majority are like me and ready to move forward rather than insisting on clinging to the relics of the past.

I'd move forward too and ditch the so-called "SD card relic", but for one problem. How do I access 32GB of content on a tablet with less than 6GB available and no WiFi anywhere in sight?

The cloud is nice; but right now, it's severely restricted because WiFi isn't universally available everywhere in the country. I'll welcome the cloud the day WiFi becomes available in the Hoh Rain Forest.

[CyGuy]

Originally Posted by heySkippy

I know there are people in the world who simply must have an SD slot or a real USB jack or an Ethernet port or a built-in optical drive. Many of them are posting in this very thread. I'm not one of those people, though, and I think the large majority are like me and ready to move forward rather than insisting on clinging to the relics of the past.

Removing the SD card slot is taking a huge step backwards no doubt. How about two or even three micro-SDHC card slots? That would be moving forward...

[heySkippy]

2 or 3 card slots? As price sensitive as the market is these days, that's never going to happen.

[Skydog]

Well, I am in the minority here. I have a N7 pre-ordered and the lack of an SD slot is not a problem as I once thought it would be, after spending time with my Fire. I have a 500GB GoFlex that is my preference for storing/streaming/sharing data amongst several devices.

I am really looking forward to getting my hands on the Nexus.

[The Terminator]

I'm surprised at how many people who voted that's it's a deal breaker have bought Kindle Fires.