Introduction

Most people know OCZ for their performance memory modules, but the company does actually produce several other things. Besides the traditional memory for PC enthusiasts they also provide performance memory modules based on USB 2.0 or SD standards for use in cameras and MP3 players.

Today we are taking a look at yet another innovative piece of hardware from OCZ, namely the OCZ Secure Digital Dual. This little piece of hardware combines the SecureDigital form with a USB 2.0 connector, making it extremely versatile. Because of the USB 2.0 connector you don't need an SD card reader in order to get access and decent speeds from your SD card.

Specifications from OCZ Technology:

• Available in 80X and 133X Speeds
• Dimensions: 32 x 24 x 2.1 mm (L x W x H)
• Official Secure Digital™ (SD)Compliant
• High-Speed USB 2.0
• Write-Protection Switch
• Lifetime Warranty

The Package

The SD-cards from OCZ are available in several different speeds, the one we are taking a look at today is the 80x speed version of the 1GB card.


The OCZ 1GB SD memory card comes enclosed in plastic, the only accessory bundled with the card is a protective plastic carrying box.


On the back of the package OCZ lists some of the specs of the memory card and the equivalent of 1 GB in number of pictures at different resolutions, it's quite easy to judge how many pictures you can store on the card according to the tabel.


This card is what manufacturers like to call 80x referring to the speed of the card, this way of labeling cards is not very intuitive because it means that the card can produce the equivalent bandwidth of a 80x CD-ROM drive. So generally speaking this means that a 1x SD-card has the theoretical bandwidth of 150KB/s, by using this method of calculation a 80x card should be able to produce a bandwidth of 12MB/s (80 x 150KB/s :1000 = 12MB/s).

One of the nice things about most OCZ products is that they have a life time warranty meaning that you can exchange your card if it breaks under normal use, this of course doesn't include physically breaking the card.


On the front of the package you can also see some illustrations of the card and the USB 2.0 port which is built into the card.


Above you can see the card in its container box.