Storing data is the main function of a flash multimedia card. Invented by the 2 companies Sandisk and Siemens AG, and measuring about the same size as a postage stamp, multimedia cards come in a variety of brand names and MBs, or megabytes. You can remove multimedia cards easily from small devices, such as cameras and cell phones, making them easily accessible to PCs for making movies, photo albums and many other forms of media.

Look for great deals on your flash multimedia card with the following:

1. Big name multimedia memory card brands;

2. Multimedia cards specifically made for gaming or photos; and

3. Discount multimedia memory card vendors.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Trust the big brands in multimedia cards if you think you'll need help

If you've had a good experience with a big name brand in the past, chances are you'll like other products made by the same manufacturer. For a flash multimedia card, there is a handful of highly recognizable manufacturers. The pluses for buying from a manufacturer who specializes in memory often include self-help websites, complete with installation instructions, and tech support.

I recommend: Both Sandisk and Transcend, innovators in multimedia cards, offer a full line of multi-use cards.

Shop for an application-specific multimedia memory card if you're a gamer or a photo junkie

Graphics take up a ton of memory -- especially if they're high quality images. If you're a gamer or take a lot of photos, chances are you'll need more memory before you know it. Not only does an MMC made for photos or gaming typically offer more memory, but the type of memory it offers is also different than that of a traditional MMC. They often have higher FPS -- or frames per second -- for capturing movement or action.

I recommend: Kodak is specializing in top-notch flash multimedia cards more and more as film is less in demand than it was 20 years ago. Find Sandisk's multimedia memory card made especially for gaming among a full line of other memory products.

Look for lesser-known secure digital multimedia card brands for the best savings

Don't have the money to spend on name brands? There are plenty of websites devoted to finding bottom-line pricing on both discontinued products and products manufactured by lesser-known brands. These sites and manufacturers can save you big bucks, especially if you're buying in bulk or for large scale business operations.

I recommend: OEMPCworld.com offers multimedia memory cards at extremely resonable prices. Find a range of cards from smaller multimedia card vendors at MyDigitalDiscount.com.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  An SD memory card is tiny, so misplacing them or dropping them, especially in a crowded area, is easy to do. You could lose precious family memories, music and even important business documents if you don't have a good method for storing memory cards. Find handy memory card storage cases where you buy your MMC card. They usually hold more than six cards at a time, and could be well worth the investment.