My first impression when I found out the SD Ultra PLUS version allowed USB connection without any card reader was: "You're kidding, right!?" Sandisk really stepped the bar adding this unique new feature. The SD cards are small as it is, but somehow, just from snap-folding part of the bottom piece will stick out the USB. When it is successfully connected, it even has a tiny -- and I mean tiny -- blue light on the card that turns on. For a couple dollars more than the regular SD Ultra, it can become just like any other flash drive. It comes with a free keychain case (picture in Customer Gallery), so it's definitely intended for it. Although, due to its minute size, (from my experience) sometimes it can be difficult to insert/remove from a USB port, especially depending on the circumstances (eg: the available location of the USB ports and whether other USBs are connected next to it). If your primary purpose, however, is to constantly transfer/store videos or documents more than pictures, then I suggest getting a Sandisk Cruzer Micro instead. (Really, I think anything smaller than that, like this SD Ultra Plus, just makes it harder to insert/remove the USB). For people who travel with their laptops (and has a place to insert USBs), the Ultra Plus will be a great convenience, since you will no longer have to carry a card reader to take up your luggage. However, if you only have USB ports way on the back of your computer, you won't be benefitting much with this card as it would probably be a greater pain, like I mentioned before, trying to insert/remove a tiny card like this in a narrow space (unless you don't mind). That being said, I don't think card readers would become obsolete, since they still offer more extension (just by replacing the length of the USB cord) to your most comfortable placement -- AND there will be no need to take the time to fold the card to make it USB. However, I still think this card will definitely benefit the laptop users the most, AND if you have USB ports accessible right in front of you (eg: a USB hub; USB ports on a monitor; front USB ports on a computer case). As for the performance between Ultra and regular SD cards: on most cameras, honestly, you won't see a significant change in speeds. Sandisk never made a PLUS (built-in USB) version for a non-Ultra, so I guess just having the thought of having a fast card is still a "plus". Overall, I think this is a better buy than the standard Ultra card (without USB). I mean, again, it's only a few dollars more and you're basically getting a free flash drive! When you don't plan on taking pictures often, it's nice for this card to actually still have a purpose in something. You can also still use this card on a card reader (although it would defeat its whole purpose), so there's really no disadvantage with this card compared to the standard Ultra card. Pros: * Can be used like a normal flash drive; can be read with a card reader (unfolded) or without (folded); unique innovative feature, which no other current SD cards allow. * Comes with a free keychain case, so you can carry it just like any other flash drive. * Plug & Play; no extra drivers required, so if you have something like a portable USB 1.1 HOST device, you can connect this to that and copy your files! * Affordable; finally, a huge price drop on Sandisk cards. Cons: * The USB area of the card is not aluminum like typical USBs, so when you insert it in a USB port and take it out, you'll notice the scratch can be quite apparent; for me, almost always, (and I tried it on many different USB ports) I'd get two line marks where the USB sticks out. Not a major big deal except for picky people like me. * Inserting/removing USB may be difficult due to its small size; if you have large fingers, there won't be much area for you to hold. You have to be careful. It's not built in a way so you can remove it in a rush; it's probably best to wiggle the USB out slowly. * I may question its durability in the long run, especially if one keeps constantly folding the card into USB. I will try to update again in a couple months, and hopefully, it never snaps the wrong way. However, don't let the cons sway you from buying this, it's still definitely worth the money. If I had known about this card sooner, I would've bought another one instead of some "ordinary" SD card. **** Update: There also seems to be another product -- SD/MMC USB Card Reader (search "SD/MMC/RS-MMC" on google) -- that is shaped like a thumb drive, where you insert the SD card on the bottom and hides. It's a great alternative to this SD Plus (maybe even better). It also does not cost much (I bought one for $5); now, I can just swap with any of my other standard SD cards, and use it as a USB drive. (No need to fold it, and it makes it much easier to insert/remove the USB while still being compact). If you already own a standard SD card, I highly recommend checking out that product (SD/MMC/RS-MMC).