It's no con - it's a much faster interface than the PCI based PCMCIA technology..... and had you bought the new Apple MacBook you wouldn't be able to use your modem either - it has neither PCMCIA nor ExpressCard slot.
There is no PCMCIA to ExpressCard adapter available, yet, but there are USB adapters for GPRS/3G modems so in theory you can still use your modem through your USB port. Please search older posts for details.
This IS a con. I did not know this is what I purchased or would not have bought it. I am now trying to get my money back since I have a phone card that won't work with the only computer company in the world offering this oddball junk. Now, you have to buy their stuff and NONE of my other equipment is compatible.
It is very similar to bait and switch, now just buy our cards.
How is it a con? It's just the next generation of the PCMCIA slot. This isn't a proprietary Dell feature. (See http://www.expresscard.org/web/site/).
Maybe Dell was a little quick about including it but it's the usual chicken/egg argument. Peripheral vendors aren't going to bother developing devices until there is a demand and there won't be a demand until end users have computers with ExpressCard ports. Ideally there should have been a bay that has both ExpressCard and PC Card slots.
However, I do agree that Dell isn't educating buyers enough about this port. However, I knew about it before I purchased my E1705 simply because I did some research on this computer before I gave them my $2000.
When you refer to this Express Card Slot, where is it on a Notebook PC ? I"ve got an Inspiron 5160, and have a slot on the left-rear side of the PC; but don't know what it's for. It was shipped with a black plastic card installed. Can anyone tell me what it does; or what it's for ??? Thanks ! Ed VA
esquire
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2.5K Posts
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June 24th, 2006 00:00
unsatisfiedgome
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June 24th, 2006 18:00
This IS a con. I did not know this is what I purchased or would not have bought it. I am now trying to get my money back since I have a phone card that won't work with the only computer company in the world offering this oddball junk. Now, you have to buy their stuff and NONE of my other equipment is compatible.
It is very similar to bait and switch, now just buy our cards.
Joel.Moore
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31 Posts
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June 30th, 2006 13:00
Maybe Dell was a little quick about including it but it's the usual chicken/egg argument. Peripheral vendors aren't going to bother developing devices until there is a demand and there won't be a demand until end users have computers with ExpressCard ports. Ideally there should have been a bay that has both ExpressCard and PC Card slots.
However, I do agree that Dell isn't educating buyers enough about this port. However, I knew about it before I purchased my E1705 simply because I did some research on this computer before I gave them my $2000.
edv7028
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July 5th, 2006 18:00
Joel.Moore
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31 Posts
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July 5th, 2006 19:00
or
2) Look up your service tag on Dell and see if they list your laptop's configuration
or
3) Search Google for "inspiron 5160 expresscard" and see if you find any mention of those computers having ExpressCard slots
or
4) Search Google Images for pictures of ExpressCards vs. PC Cards (i.e. PCMCIA) and see which one is a closer match for your plastic blank.
If your laptop is older than a year (and the cutoff date could be less than that...I don't know) it won't have an ExpressCard slot.