Options for transferring P2 cards to brand new Macbook Pro?

How do Powerbook download speeds compare to other options, such as the Duel device paired with a recent Macbook Pro?
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I recently bought a Powerbook G4 to take into the field, instead of using my MBP and Duel adaptor. Works great. The x-fer time between the two systems was nearly the same if I copied the files thru firewire to my Rugged drive. If I remember correctly a 2 minute x-fer on the MBP took 2:10 on the G4. So, not that big of a deal but if you off-load a 32GB card, it will take a few minutes longer. (If I used the internal drive on the G4 it was a good bit slower since it is a 4200 rpm drive. But I typically use the FW/Rugged x-fer.)

Also, I love the fact that the P2 card fits directly into the card bus. Never cared for the wanky Duel adapter, even though I've not had any problems with it. Hope that helps.
 
pwalker said:
I recently bought a Powerbook G4 to take into the field, instead of using my MBP and Duel adaptor. Works great. The x-fer time between the two systems was nearly the same if I copied the files thru firewire to my Rugged drive. If I remember correctly a 2 minute x-fer on the MBP took 2:10 on the G4. So, not that big of a deal but if you off-load a 32GB card, it will take a few minutes longer. (If I used the internal drive on the G4 it was a good bit slower since it is a 4200 rpm drive. But I typically use the FW/Rugged x-fer.)

Also, I love the fact that the P2 card fits directly into the card bus. Never cared for the wanky Duel adapter, even though I've not had any problems with it. Hope that helps.
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Thanks, that's good to hear.In retrospect I wish I would have gone the Powerbook/PcMIA slot route two years ago, rather than with the Duel adapter/Macbook Pro combination. It would have been cheaper and simpler.

As it stands now, I'm 99% sure that I'm going to order the PCD35 after the holidays. I can continue to use the MBP in the field and use the device on my aging, but still able G5 Quad in the office. When the time comes to replace the Quad, I can use the PCD35 with it's replacement- unless of course, Apple does one of it's arbitrary connection/port change-apoolza's that it's done of late.... :-( . (Firewire 800 & Express 34 slot). Apple's random specification changes are really my biggest concern with purchasing the PCD35 at this point. Well... of course that and the near 2k price tag.
 
Alvise Tedesco said:
P2 reader from Sonnet

https://secure1.sonnettech.com/prod...d=319&osCsid=e707954f732aebda0f5304f84f73f664
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I've been waiting for this device for some months now. I called Sonnet within the last two weeks to determine when it would actually be released. The person I talked to said that they have had problems finding a manufacturer who could build it to their specs and standards. That maybe the case, but as the release date continues to be pushed back from month to month, I need to get something now.

I ordered the PCD35 last week. I can't wait to get it :-) . No more work-arounds, no more Duel adapter- yippee!
 
Barry_Green said:
Not correct here; the PCD is a five-slot device that connects via PCI Express. You'd have to have an ExpressCard slot-equipped MBP and the appropriate Magma adapter card to use a PCD-35 on a laptop.

Perhaps you meant the PCD20, which is a five-slot reader that would allow connecting via USB 2.0 and/or Firewire 800.


The other alternative is to forget using the MBP as a card reader, as the new MBP's are really not well suited for the job. Get an expresscard-enabled Netbook with adapter for about $350, and use that to offload to external drives that you could then plug into your Mac for editing.

Or, consider an HPG20 P2 workflow device and use it as an offload station to external hard disks. Or get a P2 Store, probably used off ebay for $500, that connects via USB.

Sometime in the next few months Panasonic is supposed to introduce a "single slot reader" that may resolve the MBP issue as well.
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Barry, You mentioned the Netbook and an adapter as a solution for downloading from a P2 card. What adapter is necessary to use with the Netbook? Are you referring the Duel adapter?
I have a MacBook Pro and need to find a economic solution to downloading from a P2. I am using Snow Leopard and may need to return to Leopard. But my husband has a Netbook and it would be awesome if it is my solution.
 
I would never refer to the Duel Adapter in a positive way; I just don't like that product. I was talking about the Addonics or Rosewill adapter; they're much less expensive (I got my Rosewill for $25 from newegg, with free shipping!) and I think they're a better design, without any clunky cable, etc. And they don't need drivers.

But, they will not work on any Apple computer. There's some fundamental hardware conflict; they won't work even if you run the Apple in BootCamp/Windows mode!

The ONLY solutions for an MBP running Snow Leopard are to use one of the Panasonic slot readers (PCD20 or PCD2), or to use maybe a Sonnet QIO, or to use the camera itself as a slot reader, or to get a P2 device like a P2 Store, P2 Gear, or P2 Portable and use it as an offload device.

For the netbook, get a Windows one with an ExpressCard slot and the Addonics adapter or Rosewill (I think they're the same thing sold under different brand names).

If you want to use the MBP, just get the PCD2.
 
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