ExpressCard vs. PCMCIA

I found an ariticle that my explain some of this to you.

http://www.technewsworld.com/story/31595.html

 

 

The PC Card interface uses either an ISA-based 16-bit or PCI-based 32-bit parallel interface through a 68 contact pin-and-socket connector. The ExpressCard interface uses high-speed PCI Express or USB 2.0 serial interfaces through a 26 contact high-performance beam-on-blade connector. These technologies are not compatible with each other.

 

ExpressCard modules are roughly half the size of PC Card, as well as being lighter (34 or 54 mm x 5 mm x 75 mm for ExpressCard vs. 54 mm x 85.6 mm x 5 mm for CardBus).

 

ExpressCard interface signals are supplied by host's base chipset where PC Card/CardBus requires a CardBus controller chip in addition to the host's base chipset.

 

Connector. 26 contact, single row beam-on-blade for the ExpressCard interface vs. 68 contact, dual row pin-and-socket for PC Card/CardBus.

 

 

These are just a few of the differences.

 

 

After I received a Dell from My company I tried to insert my Sierra Aircard 750.   I did not know that this laptop has a Express slot and not what I thought was a PCMCIA slot. I read your post and found the laptop as an express slot. Which is not a PCMCIA Slot.

This is a big problem for me now.

>>>>>

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roattw wrote:

>>>>>

After I received a Dell from My company I tried to insert my Sierra Aircard 750.   I did not know that this laptop has a Express slot and not what I thought was a PCMCIA slot. I read your post and found the laptop as an express slot. Which is not a PCMCIA Slot.

This is a big problem for me now.

>>>>

 

 

Me too!!!!!!  Arrrgghh!  No adapter, work around?  I find it hard to believe that with most carriers like Spritn and Verizon using Sierra type PCMCIA cards that they would not accomodate this.

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There are now ExpressCard solution available from several vendors. Novatell (Merlin XU870), Option (Globetrotter Express) and Sierra (Aircard 880E) are selling cards for the ExpressCard slot. You should put pressure on your carriers that they should make those cards available to you.

Yep, I got a new one to replace the PCMCIA card - ata  tune of $200 - Verizon!  Would have been nice to have that point bolded or emphasized somewhere in the ordering process - esp when people might not kbe aware of this new emerging card technology.