Are ExpressCard/34 media card readers available for the MacBook Pro?

Readers not already familiar with the ExpressCard/34 standard may first wish to read the answers to:

• What is ExpressCard/34? Is it compatible with PC Cards?
• What is the difference between ExpressCard/34 and ExpressCard/54? Speed?

Although a number of Windows laptops have integrated media card readers, Apple does not include one in the MacBook Pro models. Fortunately, yes, it is possible to add a media card reader or adapter via the ExpressCard/34 slot.

ExpressCard.org lists eight ExpressCard/34 media card readers. From digging through the applicable websites, it appears that there are at least two compatible with the MacBook Pro.

ATech Flash Technology has introduced the PROExpress-7, an "ExpressCard[/34] 7 in 1 Media Card Reader" that is compatible with "Secure Digital, MultiMediaCard, Memory Stick, Memory Stick PRO, xD-Picture Card, xD-Picture Card Type H, and xD-Picture Card Type M" media cards. It can be used with MacOS X 10.4 or later as well as Windows XP.

Another company, DataFab Systems, has announced the practically titled "12 in 1 ExpressCard Adapter". It is compatible with "SD, MMC, RSMMC, MMC Plus, MMC Mobile, MS, MS PRO, and xD" media cards without an adapter and "microSD, miniSD, MMCmobile, RSMMC, MS Duo, [and] MS PRO Duo" with an adapter. Oddly, the company claims that it can be used with "Mac OS 8.6, 9.x, 10.1.2 and above", which leads one to believe that the company forgot to update an older template, as there are no Mac systems with built-in support for ExpressCard/34 that are capable of running an operating system earlier than MacOS X 10.4. The company also lists compatibility with "Windows 98SE, Windows 2000, Windows ME, [and] Windows XP."

Regarding support of CompactFlash, on January 13, 2006, the always excellent Rob Galbraith noted that:

It's not possible to create an ExpressCard/34 version of [a Cardbus CompactFlash adapter] that would hold a CompactFlash card entirely inside the slot, since CompactFlash cards are a bit more than 40mm wide. We may see an ExpressCard adapter in which the CompactFlash card inserts into a reader housing outside the slot. . . But at that point it may well be more convenient to use an external FireWire or USB 2.0 card reader.

Sure enough, on September 22, 2006, Delkin introduced the "world's first" ExpressCard/34 CompactFlash adapter -- and it has the housing outside the slot. It works in both ExpressCard/34 and ExpressCard/54 slots and is compatible with MacOS X 10.4 and higher as well as Windows XP.