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    What are some good uses for the Expresscard slot?

    Discussion in 'Asus' started by Persuasion, May 21, 2007.

  1. Persuasion

    Persuasion Notebook Consultant

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    I got an Expresscard slot on my A8Jm, and I never use it. I occasionaly play with the dummy card inside. Are there any good uses for it? For example, Bluetooth adaptor? sound cards? battery (if even possible)?
     
    Persuasion, May 21, 2007
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  2. AlexOnFyre

    AlexOnFyre Needs to get back to work NBR Reviewer

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    Any good use for a PCMCIA card is a good use for an express card. I would think putting in an eSATA adapter for an external eSATA drive would be the best use. Also a nice digital TV Tuner could work too.
     
    AlexOnFyre, May 21, 2007
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  3. AlexF

    AlexF Notebook Deity

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    AlexF, May 21, 2007
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  4. taelrak

    taelrak Lost

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    taelrak, May 21, 2007
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  5. ltcommander_data

    ltcommander_data Notebook Deity

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    If you have money to burn, I would suggest a flash hard drive. They were announced recently to fit in the Expresscard slot, but I'm not sure if they are available. They are going to be horribly expensive though.
     
    ltcommander_data, May 21, 2007
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  6. cmart4

    cmart4 Notebook Guru

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    cmart4, May 21, 2007
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  7. taelrak

    taelrak Lost

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    Don't think it's out yet in the US, although BestBuy for Business and a few other vendors I've never heard of are offering it ~$75. Most list it as "not in stock" though.

    A flash card is nice as the above poster said too.

    There's even a really thin mouse that'll fit in that slot and get charged there...though it's really ugly IMO.
     
    taelrak, May 21, 2007
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  8. Persuasion

    Persuasion Notebook Consultant

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    That X-Fi does look sick...
     
    Persuasion, May 21, 2007
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  9. Tarheelscubs

    Tarheelscubs Notebook Consultant

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    How does the x-fi work? Is it internal or external?

    Would it also make the laptop speakers sound better, or just external speakers?
     
    Tarheelscubs, May 21, 2007
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  10. AlexF

    AlexF Notebook Deity

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    Just the external.
     
    AlexF, May 21, 2007
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  11. cmart4

    cmart4 Notebook Guru

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    I've had pretty good luck with the audigy2 pcmcia in the past... since i have a c90 coming w/no pcmcia, this should do nicely.

    chris
     
    cmart4, May 21, 2007
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  12. cmart4

    cmart4 Notebook Guru

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    cmart4, May 21, 2007
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  13. Wail

    Wail Notebook Consultant

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    I can't seem to figure this out ... does the card slide in to the slot whole? Or does it protrude out BIG time.

    Seems like it is a Express Card adaptor stuck to the end of a PCMCIA card? I love the socficications of Express Card, but I would have to have it stick out of my laptop like a sore thumb.
     
    Wail, May 22, 2007
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  14. DrewN

    DrewN Notebook Evangelist

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    To the OP...I've been thinking about getting an eSATA Expresscard and use it in tandem with a 1TB eSATA external HDD. USB 2.0 tends to drag when reading large media files/spreadsheets/PDFs -- at least w/ my NB :(
     
    DrewN, May 22, 2007
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  15. nickie

    nickie Notebook Consultant

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    If you have Windows Vista, you can use your express card to install this or this. it allows you to use readyboost without the need to use a pendrive. Also, i believe it would be faster then any pendrive in the market.
     
    nickie, May 22, 2007
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  16. cmart4

    cmart4 Notebook Guru

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    the audigy z2 stuck out maybe about a 1/2 inch or so, that wasn't too bad, but the cable that connected to it to hook up my 5.1 made it stick out even more. sound was great but i didn't really like the look... cest la vie. the sound was worth the trade-off imho

    chris
     
    cmart4, May 22, 2007
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  17. Tinderbox (UK)

    Tinderbox (UK) BAKED BEAN KING

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    my Express card slot is right above my HDD, when i pull out the cover it`s hot.

    I wish i could buy a small fan to install to cool down my laptop.

    regards.

    John.
     
    Tinderbox (UK), May 22, 2007
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  18. taelrak

    taelrak Lost

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    I'm still undecided between that X-Fi soundcard or an expresscard SSD. I might end up just getting a USB soundcard maybe..anyone have positive or negative experiences with those?

    One thing I found about the Lexar SSD though:
    http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/peripherals/first-review-lexar-expresscard-ssd-254364.php

    The review basically said that the write speeds were even lower than that of decently fast flash sticks...has anyone had experience with these SSDs?

    If they're really that bad, I'd rather just go with a corsair voyager gt stick for cheaper.
     
    taelrak, May 22, 2007
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  19. Persuasion

    Persuasion Notebook Consultant

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    Wow i didnt know about SSD's and their huge capacity. The SSD and XFi seem to me like the most interesting cards. Won't a standard SD card plugged into the card reader work fine anyways for readyboost?

    Really tho, there isnt a bluetooth adapter for it? I would think it would be an easy upgrade, unless there are laws against it...
     
    Persuasion, May 26, 2007
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  20. loopty

    loopty Notebook Evangelist

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    There's no need to use ExpressCard for bluetooth. You can get tiny bluetooth USB adapters. As for readyboost, most regular SD cards aren't fast enough.
     
    loopty, May 26, 2007
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