[NTLK] Rip off potential on eBay for flash cards

[Dan]

One thing I wish to add, Pawel is correct in everything he said.  While one would think they 'should' but when you get them, they don't.  And larger size cards are even more difficult to find.  Kingston made a few based on Intel that did work.  I would have to check my records for the model numbers.

But back to what I wanted to add: the reason why the ATA driver exists is because it is difficult to find Linear cards that work in the Newton that were not used in routers etc.  Years ago they were difficult to find and expensive when you did, hence the ATA driver was made to utilize cheap and plentiful ATA cards.

The only type of card that always works in a newton is the SRAM cards.  And they are much smaller capacity and usually even more expensive.

-Dan

On 7/29/2021 4:16 AM, Pawel Piotrowski wrote:
> 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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