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Minds@Work, another Californian company, sells a similar device known as the Minds@Work MindStor (10GB version, $329). Billed as "the ultimate digital camera companion," the MindStor is almost exactly the same size as the PicturePAD, measuring 5.6 by 3.0 by 1.2 inches (HWD) and weighing 12 ounces, but it includes a PC Card bay rather than a CompactFlash slot, its LCD cannot view pictures, and it can't be connected to a television.

That said, it does have a few advantages over the PicturePAD. For one, the device comes with adapters to let you transfer files from CompactFlash, Memory Stick, MultiMediaCard, SecureDigital, and SmartMedia cards. And it lets you transfer files to your PC via the much faster FireWire interface, as well as USB 1.1—though you will have to purchase a $15 FireWire cable separately. A USB cable is included with the main device, and 20GB and 30GB models are available for $479 and $579, respectively. According to the manufacturer, you can transfer files at speeds of up to 800 Kbps with USB, and a whopping 18 MBps with FireWire.