Usability or looks?

Just looked at the new iMac out of idle curiosity. There is a slot for SDXC memory cards but it's at the back of the unit along with all the other connectors (headphone, USB, Thunderbolt, etc.) All this for £1,099 and upwards. Usability, my a***.

Same with the Mini. A right pain. You'd think at least the memory card slot would be on the front; I guess it would spoil the looks of it.

I suppose the solution is to have an SD extension cable hanging out of the back of the machine. I wonder if Apple sells them?

That's what I have to do with the cable for my iPad; it's a bit ugly having a cable permanently connected but it's the only way really. My PC has a trapdoor on top with a couple of USB sockets; ideal for casual connections and the ones round the back are used for fixed things like keyboard and mouse.

I suppose it depends how often you use the card reader. If its just once a week or even less on my case it's not so much a problem. But if I was using cards very regulary I would use a card reader in a USB cable, which are quite cheap and leave the reader in a convient place. The other advantage of using a reader is that all the wear and tear is on an easily replaceable reader rather than on the expensive computer.

Edited by stniuk (Sat 03-Nov-12 19:42:06)

However infrequently I use the reader it would be more convenient if I could actually reach it. Same with the power switch - why on earth put that on the back of the thing?

You only use the power switch once a day usually less. Once you get to know the position you can do it easily.

Not if the computer is surrounded by other equipment. What's wrong with putting it on the front where you can see it?

iMacs are even worse. Other than for cosmetic appearance, I can't say I understand why all the connections are at the bottom of the back panel, which is just about the most inaccessible place for most users. It's a fine place for fixed peripherals, ethernet, power cables and the like, but not for places to plug in portable peripherals and the latest model even puts the card slot ot the back, which for something that sells itself as a hub for digital media is utterly perverse.

Well sometimes you just have to accept the sands of time eh APE