Making SD Cards More Nostalgic With More Cartridge-ness

In a wave of nostalgia, Abe embarked on a project to transform SD cards into cartridges, reminiscent of the 1980s style. The project, which took two years to complete, resulted in cartridges featuring fixed (256 MB) and removable micro SD card storage, mounted on a PCB that passively connects to pogo pins in a custom, 3D-printed reader. The final product not only functions well but also captures the retro aesthetic with flair.

The idea for this project originated while Abe was working on the Floppy8, a floppy drive conversion project. This earlier project involved fitting an MCU into an external floppy drive, using SD card-based cartridges with a rough edge connector design. However, this initial setup had several issues, such as poor alignment and the fragility of micro SD cards, along with various quality of life problems.

To address these issues, Abe placed the SD card into a slot on a carrier PCB with its own edge connector, which improved alignment and reliability. Despite this, the moving read head in the reader proved to be unreliable, and FDM printed parts faced tolerance and durability issues. Eventually, Abe created a simplified design that considered these limitations, leading to a more functional and reliable setup.

While turning a tiny micro SD card into a larger cartridge may seem impractical, the project excels in aesthetics and usability. The cartridges are easier to handle and less likely to get lost, making them a practical and visually appealing alternative to standard SD cards, effectively merging retro charm with modern technology.

Read more: Making SD Cards More Nostalgic With More Cartridge-ness