PCMCIA -> Express Card HELP!

[Tom Scott]

Hi

I wanted to get one of the new fangled 3G data cards that we're selling (£17pm for 2gb under fair usage)...

Problem is I have a even newer fangled ExpressCard slot no PCMCIA - is there a converter or something available?

I've tried google but no joy, I just keep geitng 3000000 pages of Compact Flash adapters.

[d3fiant]

this is a question of much argument recently, my understanding is no, its like AGP and PCI-e, while the chipsets used can be bridged the slot itself cannot. The problem with xpress slots is there is a serious lack of market penetration whereas PCMCIA appears on practically every laptop, ur only option is to find a laptop with both slots, not sure if they exist

[awm]

An express card is just USB and PCI Express in a convient package, whereas PCMCIA was more like PCI. I think express cards are following the route of PCI-e, the slot is becoming common but there are no cards for them yet. Chicken and the egg problem.

As for your problem I would reccomend looking for a USB adaptor, even though it would be less convienient, it would do the job. Best of luck finding something.

[Tom Scott]

I found an adapter from expansys ... no stock till June! and its £158!

[awm]

I think an adaptor would defeat the purpose of having the PCMCIA card to begin with. You would no longer be able to have an internal card but would instead have some ugly system hooked up externally. Do USB versions of your product exist? You might also be able to jump via Bluetooth to an external device.