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    What is PCMCIA support?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by JAK, Jul 25, 2006.

  1. JAK

    JAK Notebook Enthusiast

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    I am purchasing my first notebook for school with specific requirements, and I do not know what PCMCIA support is. Can somebody please shed some light? Is this pretty standard in today's notebooks?

    Thanks.
     
    JAK, Jul 25, 2006
    #1
  2. Charles P. Jefferies

    Charles P. Jefferies Lead Moderator Super Moderator

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    PCMCIA is an expansion slot - you can put in cards with additional ports, sound cards, card readers, wireless cards, etc. Something like this:
    http://www.newegg.com/ProductSort/SubCategory.asp?SubCategory=421
    However, they are being quickly replaced by ExpressCard slots, the new version of PCMCIA - less power, faster, smaller.
     
    Charles P. Jefferies, Jul 25, 2006
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  3. Tiger-Heli

    Tiger-Heli Notebook Evangelist

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    Basically - I think it is support for cards like these: http://www.newegg.com/ProductSort/SubCategory.asp?SubCategory=34

    There are other types of cards, but that is the type of slot they require.

    They have been phased out a lot by USB, Firewire, or Bluetooth, so I wouldn't be certain that your notebook will have one, although I believe there are also PCMCIA->USB adapters.
     
    Tiger-Heli, Jul 25, 2006
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  4. NetBrakr

    NetBrakr Notebook Deity

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    Like I have a PCMCIA 6-1 media card readers.

    JC
     
    NetBrakr, Jul 25, 2006
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  5. drumfu

    drumfu super modfu

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    it's a way for you to add functionality to your computer. for example, if you didn't have a built in wifi card, you can buy a wifi PC Card, plug it into your PCMCIA slot and have a wifi card.

    the next generation of expansion slots for notebooks is expresscard which does not have much support right now.
     
    drumfu, Jul 25, 2006
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  6. compaq64

    compaq64 Notebook Consultant

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    Yes, you can add things like, more usb ports, firewire ports, enthernet ports, a modem, and much more things to a PCMCIA slot. It is very convenient if you dont want to spend top dollar on a notebook but may use it for more advanced things down the road.
     
    compaq64, Jul 25, 2006
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