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    Express card 34 compatability

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by kuksul08, Jan 26, 2007.

  1. kuksul08

    kuksul08 Notebook Consultant

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    Hey,
    I decided to get an external harddrive enclosure that runs SATA to eSATA and USB 2.0. I need an eSATA express card to fit in my laptop:
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16839229001

    I'm just wondering if this card will fit in my Acer 8204WLMi without any bottlenecking or fitment issues. The laptop supposedly has an Expresscard/34 slot, just want to make sure...

    Also, which of these two enclosures is better quality and most practical?
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817171019
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817145022


    Thanks

    On another note, maybe someone can link me to an expresscard/34 that offers eSATA and Firewire 800?
     
    kuksul08, Jan 26, 2007
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  2. digital8doug

    digital8doug Notebook Consultant

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    Do you have any intention of using Exp Card HD out of the office? If so how do you plan to power ext HD on Express card 34 when mobile?
    Have not done it yet mobile, but it appears an Ext HD in an enclosure takes 2 USB ports to properly power it! =suck battery :(
    IEEE 1394a ports do not provide power :mad: as the Apple Mac FW 400 or 800 does!
    Not sure what is on your Acer, but my Asus has what SONY calls iLINK which meets 1394, but does not juice it!
    btw, I am getting a MbP soon, any good info you have after using EC 34 stuff is appreciated!
    My comment explains more on no mobile concern of mine (thread is pcmcia, not Exp Cd but power / enclosures still apply
    http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=97627&highlight=PCMCIA

    Be aware of possible increase in heat concerns when using ext card stuff, my USR in sig gets hot in use & is just above my hard drive, thus left palm rest=toasty!
    Other concern is buy shielded eSATA cables, much better quality all around!
     
    digital8doug, Jan 26, 2007
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  3. kuksul08

    kuksul08 Notebook Consultant

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    I would not bring the whole external harddrive with me when mobile, it doesn't seem practical. Also, that enclosure includes an external power supply that you can just plug into the wall.
    The 2 USB input things on the back are supposedly just extra slots to plug in flash drives and such.

    Whats the deal with shielded eSATA cables?
     
    kuksul08, Jan 26, 2007
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  4. Charles P. Jefferies

    Charles P. Jefferies Lead Moderator Super Moderator

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    Why not just use USB 2.0 to connect the hard drive to the laptop? It would be slower than eSATA but would save you the price of the ExpressCard adapter.

    ExpressCard/54 slots can take both /34 and /54 cards, so the card you linked will work fine.

    Take a look at this 3.5" SATA enclosure:
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817145167
    I own that one and it is built well, looks great, and most importantly, it works fine. It has both USB 2.0 and eSATA, and an internal SATA interface.
     
    Charles P. Jefferies, Jan 26, 2007
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