[NTLK] Rip off potential on eBay for flash cards

[Pawel Piotrowski]

Hi MIchael,

> On 29 Jul 2021, at 07:29, Michael Rebar <michael.rebar at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> For anyone in the same need as I for a few flash cards in the 20+ MB range please beware of the rip off potential on eBay.

That is true. The cards dedicated for Newton are not cheap.
But from the other side - this is collector's equipment. So just like with other collectibles - the market sets the prices. The equipment is theoretically worth little, but if someone wants to have it, then will pay the amount that can afford. One will pay $100 and the other will pay $1000 because he can afford it and wants the thing.

So I would be careful about calling this as ripping off.

> Did some research and found out Newton technology is compatible with most linear flash cards that are not needing ATA driver.

This is not exactly true. Most of the linear card are NOT compatible with Newton. You will find out this, when you will buy a few cards which theoretically should work with Newton, but they don’t. Believe me, I did the research too, a few years ago. You can check my conclusions on my website: https://applenewton.co.uk/newton-workshop/memory-card-types/ <https://applenewton.co.uk/newton-workshop/memory-card-types/>

In fact, only cards based on Intel or AMD chips are suitable for working with Newton.

> There are plenty of affordable linear flash RAM out there. Don’t pay more than you should!!

This is also not exactly true too. There is NOT plenty of linear cards out there. Especially 20+MB. But I can be wrong. Could you provide some examples, please?

And Vladislav made a really important point. A lot of cheap cards available on eBay or other online shops come from CISCO routers. These are cards that are extremely worn out, have worked a lot of read/write cycles and are practically not suitable for safe use and data storage.



Best regards,
Pawel Piotrowski

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