Smallest notebook/laptop with Expresscard slot?

Whats the smallest laptop/notebook with an expresscard slot?

14.1" and under only.. minimum 1440x900 display (12**x*** might be acceptable...)

 

You are not going to be able to find a laptop with greater than a 1440x900 resolution in a 14.1" screen. They do not exist.

The Dell E1405, Sony SZ, and HP nc6400 are all good choices...though I think the later model listed does not have an ExpressCard. However, the HP model does have one available via the docking station.

Might I ask why the ExpressCard slot is required?

Also, please fill out the FAQs and we can give you better recommendations.

 

Asus U1F and Asus S6F have expresscards. They are 11,1" and 1360x768.

 

night: external GPU.

As for the faq, here's a few answers.. 'though i'm sure things will change before I get to actually buying another laptop...

1) What is your budget?

unknown..

2) What size notebook would you prefer?

a. Ultraportable; 12" screen or less
b. Thin and Light; 13" - 14" screen (pref)

3) Please select your country's flag as a post icon and tell us what country are you buying this in.

Canada

4) Are there any brands that you prefer or any you really don't like?

Displeased with Alienware and Uniwill...

5) What tasks will you be performing with the notebook?

Everything.

6) Will you be taking the notebook with you to different places or leaving it on your desk?

Taking it everywhere.

7) Will you be playing games on it; if so, which games?

Yes, however internal GPU is unimportant if there is an expresscard slot.

8) How many hours of battery life do you need?

The more the better. 3+ is good.

9) Do you mind buying online without seeing the notebook in person?

Looking for recommendations, not set in stone to be buying one right now.

10) What OS do you prefer? Windows (XP or Vista), Mac OS, Linux, etc.

Anything, will put my own on.

Screen Specifics

11) Would you prefer standard or widescreen?

Widescreen.

12) From the choices below, what screen resolutions would you prefer?

b. SXGA - 1400x1050 - Compromise resolution between XGA and UXGA.

Widescreen
d. WXGA or WXGA+ - 1280x768/800 + or 1440x900; Wider viewing version of XGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
e. WSXGA+ - 1680x1050; Wider viewing version of SXGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.
f. WUXGA - 1920x1200; Wider viewing version of UXGA, good for movie viewing or spreadsheets.

13) Do you want a glossy/reflective screen or a matte/non-glossy screen?

Unimportant. 8-bit screen preferred.

Build Quality and Design

14) Are the notebook's looks and stylishness important to you?

No.

15) When are you buying this laptop and how long do you want this laptop to last?

....... forever?

Notebook Components

16) How much hard drive space do you want; 40GB to 200GB?

80gb min

17) Do you need an optical drive? If yes, a DVD-ROM, DVD-CD/RW or DVD-RW drive?

Preferably yes. DVD-CD/RW should do fine.

 

for 14,1" the Asus V2JE and Lenovo T60 come to mind.
13,3" the Sony SZ or ASUS W6FP but they are only 1280x800 resolution.

What external card are you planing to use?

 

you are wasting your time, external video cards can only work with an external display !!
although you can play any game you want on a Asus with 7700go

 

wave: Have an X1600XT spare at the moment, but planning to pick up R600 or other decent DX10 capable card when I get a chance. Power is not an issue.

Paulness15: Care to elaborate? Hooking up an external display only takes a few seconds.

 

I think what he was trying to tell you is that most people plan to use an external graphics card with the internal LCD screen of the laptop. This ofcourse is not possible and it has turned most people off because it makes the laptop unable to game on the go. Also many say that the 1xPCIexpress lanes availabe with the express card will limit new graphics cards too much. What external graphics card caseing do you use or are planning to use?

If you have something already please write a review. I know many, including me, would be interested.

 

Unfortunately I have none at the moment.. but I have been researching building my own by chopping up a cheap expresscard...

Would just buy one, but way too expensive


As to the number of lanes limiting performance, yes it will happen but I believe it will be much like AGP1x vs APG4x which was ~10% at most depending on how much VRAM you had and what the game required (more required meant more bus activity which slowed performance as data was then stored in system ram).

As to using the notebook's display.. its possible, but would require a bypass be build into the LVDS in the panel and two switches (one for power, one for data) at least until manufacturers start putting a dvi connector on the side or back of the panel anyways..



Everything is possible, you just have to be looking for ways past the challenge!

 

Using the notebooks display is only possible if you have a video in port some sort. I have seen people hock up a notebook display to a normal desktop card by various different home build devices but doing that on a working laptop would distroy the case.
If you build your own how will you get drives to make it work? Dont you need special drivers?