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    Which PC Card Slot Needed & Difference

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by cduke123, May 29, 2008.

  1. cduke123

    cduke123 Notebook Guru

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    I need to determine which card reader to buy. I don't know what the difference is, however, I am active duty and my ID card is inserted into my Latitude for encryption purposes. There is a chipset on it that is read, but I am unsure which of the following is needed. Also, what is the difference among the cards?

    - PC Card Slot & Express Card Slot
    - PC Card Slot & Media Card Slot
    - PC Card Slot & Smart Card Slot
     
  2. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    Sounds like a smart card to me. Perhaps you should ask what you need.
     
  3. cduke123

    cduke123 Notebook Guru

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    That's what I was thinking. I tried yesterday, but had problems get
     
  4. techboydino

    techboydino Notebook Evangelist

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    you should get the pc card and express card slot. youll need a smartcard reader. depending on what branch, you should be able to get one free over your portal if you understand what that is.
     
  5. cduke123

    cduke123 Notebook Guru

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    getting through to the Lenovo rep's.
     
  6. techboydino

    techboydino Notebook Evangelist

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    you essentially need the pc and smart card slot, but the military changes the manufacturers so often, that the integrated card reader may not work after the next change, then youll have to get one anyway. plus, you have more open ports. the army, gives you one for free these days. dont know about the other branches.
     
  7. cduke123

    cduke123 Notebook Guru

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    What does the express card slot do? If I go w/that, do I understand correctly that I can buy a reader to use separetely? The Marine Corps provides them, however, depending on the unit, some must be returned.
     
  8. techboydino

    techboydino Notebook Evangelist

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    express card slot accepts different devices such as card readers, external wireless lan cards, ect. Its there to add on components, its a newer form of pcmcia slot that have been around for year. Its faster than the old. Most of the time the military gives a usb reader that plugs into anything. If not, they will give you a pcmcia (pc card slot) card usually. I used to work for the NMCI and they always issued the usb readers.
     
  9. cduke123

    cduke123 Notebook Guru

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    So you think that the Express slot is better for NMCI than the Smart card?
     
  10. techboydino

    techboydino Notebook Evangelist

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    the express slot is more versatile. i dont know if the smart card is actually a pop in reader from lenovo or not .if it is then go for it. but if not, i would just get one from the marines. that way if it is integrated, then you dont limit your future options. if you get express card and pc card slots, you can add whatever you want.
     
  11. GUDA

    GUDA Newbie

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    If your trying to read the chip on your Common Access Card (CAC), you may want to go with a USB variety. The ActiveIdentity product is what we use for the newer fast chip set CAC.
    <http://www.actividentity.com/products/reader_usb__home.php>

    You will also require CAC reader software which might be available from your IT security folks
     
  12. GUDA

    GUDA Newbie

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