Downloading photos onto laptop w/o disk

[Randy Winkman]

My old laptop had a disk player. With each of the 2 new digital cameras I bought I got a programme on a disk so I could download the photos. But my new laptop has no disk slot. The guy that set it up used code numbers to download Microsoft stuff and anti-virus stuff for me (quite legitimately).

Can I buy any new compact camera I like - or will the lack of disk slot restrict me?

[karona]

Most cameras come with a USB cable to connect to the PC to download pictures. Alternatively an SD card adaptor to convert the camera's SD card to USB will cost pennies.

[Simpo Two]

You certainly don't need a disk or even any additional software. Plug camera or card into computer; computer should see it as another drive. Browse to image files, copy and paste.

[Randy Winkman]

Thanks both. I do have a USB connection cable at the moment - which I have used on my old laptop. I think the disks must have been for manufacturer specific programmes to manipulate the pictures.

[kowalski655]

Tried to get some pics of my son's Canon D1100 last night,via USB cable...new Win8 PC says the device I attached had malfunctioned & didnt even recognise it. Maybe I DO need a disc! Im sure it was OK on a Win7 PC

[tmz99]

worst case scenario, get a USB multi-card reader and just take the memory cards out of your camera and transfer them that way (if your laptop doesn't have an inbuilt card reader - most do).

[Craikeybaby]

I think the OP is referring to a lack of CD/DVD drive to install the drivers for his camera, along with the manufacturer bloatware.

If you are just using a Compact camera to take jpeg images, you should not need to add any of the manufacturer software, infact you are probably better not to (unless it is Photoshop Elements/Lightroom). Google Picassa is a good free piece of software which will do as much as manufacturer software (probably more) without being buggy etc.

If you find you are still struggling without a CD/DVD drive you can get external USB CD/DVD drives that you can plug into your laptop, like you are plugging your camera in.

[Randy Winkman]

Thanks again - lots of helpful advice for me.