Toshiba

Toshiba PDR-2 (1997)

Probably this camera was introduced to add value to the company’s ubiquitous notebook computers. It certainly does that.

Before I explain, I should say that the PDR-2 has appealing qualities on its own. It is very simple and ultra compact. Its resolution is VGA standard (640x480 pixels) or a third of a megapixel. It has no monitor, only three buttons, no flash and only the tiniest LCD status display. It’s just 105mm long, 55mm high and very slim. That’s the height of a credit card and only 20mm longer. It feels very solid and has the looks of a serious camera.

Yet its true quality is revealed when it’s teamed with a notebook. Yes, it has its own PCMCIA card. The card is the camera's back, which hinges open. The card is inserted directly into the PC slot of your Toshiba notebook. Photos are then visible immediately on the computer screen. No need for cables, etc. No need to download drivers.

When I did exactly this with my Toshiba M30 Satellite notebook running Windows XP and dating from the year 2000, it worked perfectly.

As an aside, my Nikon Coolpix 100 from 1996 also has a PCMCIA card built in.

Good on you, Toshiba and Nikon! This is the kind of solution that digital photography was invented for.