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    Express Card, Media Card or Smart Card Slot?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by allfiredup, Apr 5, 2008.

  1. allfiredup

    allfiredup Notebook Virtuoso

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    Although I keep up on most current computer technology, I have to admit I'm behind the curve on this one.

    I'm looking at ThinkPads online and have a solid configuration in all other areas, but I'm not sure what the best option will be for the 'System Expansion Slots'. Here's what they offer-

    PC Card Slot & Express Card Slot- std
    PC Card Slot & Media Card Slot- $0 option
    PC Card Slot & Smart Card Slot- $15.14 option

    Can anyone dumb it down for me and tell me what advantages (and any disadvantages of each)? My gut is to choose the PC & Smart Card Slot option, but I could be wrong.......
     
    allfiredup, Apr 5, 2008
    #1
  2. jin07

    jin07 Notebook Deity NBR Reviewer

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    Will you even use a smart card? It's basically like a credit card with a microchip in it that can be used for various things. Unless you have something for work that requires a smart card, I wouldn't suggest getting it.

    A media card reader is something that, well, reads media cards. Think stuff like compact flash, smartmedia, SD cards, and the like. They're usually used for such products as cell phones, cameras, and mp3 players.

    I think you would get the most from the express card option. It's supposed to be the next standard (replacing the PC card). Also, if you ever need a smart card slot or a media card reader, you can get an expresscard that fulfills those functions. Yes, there are readily available smart card and media card reader express cards.
     
    jin07, Apr 5, 2008
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  3. kubel

    kubel Notebook Evangelist

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    I think its lowsy of Lenovo to make you choose between an ExpressCard slot and a memory card reader. PC cards are out. ExpressCards and memory card readers are the standard- even in entry level notebooks-, so why can't Lenovo offer them both?

    I suppose it's because Lenovo is targeting corporations that use older technology and want to upgrade their laptops without upgrading their accessories (like older PCMCIA cards). But many consumers purchase ThinkPads too, so I think Lenovo should consider eventually offering ExpressCard and media card support.
     
    kubel, Apr 5, 2008
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  4. LoneWolf15

    LoneWolf15 The Chairman

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    Lenovo DOES offer both on the 15.4" ThinkPad. It's only either/or on the 14.1" version, likely due to size constraints. My 15.4" T61 has the media card reader up front (where the headphone jacks would be on a 14.1" T61) and PC Card +ExpressCard slots on the side.

    As others have said, SmartCards are only useful if your employer uses them for security reasons. If I had to choose, I'd choose the card slot over the media card reader, because the main device for media cards is a digital camera, and you can usually plug one of those into your machine via USB.

    The only exception would be if you're using your laptop primarily for photographic work, but if you're serious in photography, your camera would probably take CompactFlash cards or a MicroDrive, which you'd use in conjunction with a card slot anyway.
     
    LoneWolf15, Apr 5, 2008
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