Back in the day, PCs used to come with what felt like every port and optical drive available. SD card readers were built directly into the chassis of your favorite desktop computers, alongside optical drives, so you could pop in a copy of your favorite CD and burn it right to the hard drive. But as these fell out of fashion, they also fell out of your standard builds and desktops. Some laptops still have built-in SD card readers, but optical drives are a thing of the past.
Thankfully, you can still use these on any PC with a handful of USB gadgets. As we shift more toward streaming, I crave ways to access the physical content that I still have. That, and ways to make gadgets that wouldn’t typically work on my PC work with my PC.
USB to SD card readers are amazing
Accessing older photos, game files, or anything in between is a breeze
Credit: Shaun Cichacki/MUO
MicroSD is one of those technologies that still feel unreal to this day. How do they get so much space on such a tiny little piece of equipment? I may never know the full logistics of how they work, but I know that I’m a big fan of using them on a near-daily basis. No matter if I’m adding games to a handheld device or if I’m preparing a new print for my Ender 3, I’m able to quickly drag and drop files onto a MicroSD card with this simple little tool.
Some USB docks do include an SD card plug, but I much prefer the ability to use this on any device in my household. No matter if I’m on my Windows 11 PC or if I’m messing around on my Chromebook that’s running Ubuntu, all of my files are right at my fingertips. There are even Type-C versions available if you’re hoping to transfer items from your phone or other USB-C devices.
Dimensions
11mm x 20mm x 74mm
Brand
UGREEN
Integrations
SD, SDHC, SDXC, microSD, microSDXC
Hub Required
No
USB adapters to make everything work
Type-A to Type-C, or vice versa — they’re great for everything
While my Cooler Master PC case may look incredibly slick, there’s at least one thing that it’s missing — a dedicated Type-C connection slot. With Type-C becoming the default connection type across the board, more and more devices are starting to use this. My ROG Pleta headset is meant to be used on consoles like the PlayStation 5 or Switch 2, and its default dongle uses Type-C, so if I want to use it with my PC? I need to connect it to one of these adapters.
On the flip-side, having an adapter that turns Type-A into Type-C means that I can use devices that are regularly intended for PC on something like my phone. Have an Android phone with a non-responsive touchscreen? Connect one of these adapters and a USB mouse, and you can access your screen to begin the data transfer process to another device. The possibilities are endless with one of these little guys. If you have an Android phone or even a newer iPhone, these adapters are game changers.
I’m not ready to fully hand over my soul to the streaming overlords
Credit: Shaun Cichacki/MUO
Even though streaming has become the norm, there is still a lot of media that isn’t available on most streaming platforms. CDs are still a thing, and are coming back in popularity, as well as countless DVDs that are available for pennies on the dollar. That’s why having a portable DVD/CD writer for my PC is something that I cherish. I’ve also used this to burn DVDs for my family, converting old VHS tapes into a more “modern” format that should last longer than the original films do.
I’m not the only one here on MUO who has ditched streaming services for good ol’ physical media either. Some folks are losing out on their favorite band’s entire discography, all due to streaming services like Spotify no longer putting their work on there. Plus, it’s nice to own the actual album instead of listening to what is essentially a license for it. With a good pair of headphones, a CD is going to sound better than any streaming service out there, so enjoy your music how it was meant to be enjoyed.
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A high-capacity flash drive for storage
Pair it with an adapter and clean up your phone in moments
Credit: Shaun Cichacki/MUO
This is easily the most basic choice on this list, but it’s also one of the most important overall. Flash drives have been around for what feels like forever, but their use hasn’t diminished since their creation. Being able to transfer and carry files around with you on something that is small enough to fit on a key ring is impressive, and I don’t think it will ever stop being so.
But more importantly, especially for folks who love taking lots of videos and pictures on vacations or when they’re out and about? It’s a great way to ensure that your phone isn’t going to run out of storage. Using an adapter or getting a Type-C flash drive, you can transfer photos and videos from your device to these modern marvels and ensure that you’ve always got enough room to create another memory.
There are so many more useful USB gadgets out there
Problems you don’t have may be solutions for others
At the end of the day, there are so many different USB gadgets that can do so many things for every scenario. Need to connect your phone to a wired connection? Most newer Android devices support Ethernet connections if you have the right accessory. It’s also a great way to add Ethernet to your PC if you’ve been struggling to stay connected to a shoddy Wi-Fi network.
These are just some of the many USB gadgets that I have lying around, but they’re easily some of my favorites. They’re things I use on a regular basis, and make my life a little easier. I’m hoping that bringing attention to these can do the same for you, too.
