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    uses for expresscard slot

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by AndromedaB, Aug 22, 2011.

  1. AndromedaB

    AndromedaB Notebook Geek

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    what is the point of having it in 2011? it seems pretty dead
     
    AndromedaB, Aug 22, 2011
    #1
  2. Nandarou

    Nandarou Notebook Geek

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    smartcard reader

    usb 3.0

    com-port

    tv tuner
     
    Nandarou, Aug 22, 2011
    #2
  3. GomJabbar

    GomJabbar Notebook Consultant

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    I use mine with a Sierra Wireless 890 AirCard (yes, I know there are USB 3G modems available).
     
    GomJabbar, Aug 22, 2011
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  4. ekam

    ekam Notebook Consultant

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    VGA is pretty dead too but it's in all the PC laptops.
     
    ekam, Aug 22, 2011
    #4
  5. User Retired 2

    User Retired 2 Notebook Nobel Laureate NBR Reviewer

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    User Retired 2, Aug 22, 2011
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  6. cypherpunk

    cypherpunk Notebook Enthusiast

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    The point is that even in 2011 people still own and regularily use ExpressCard devices bought recently or during the years before.

    My current favorite regular use for it is a 2-port USB3 ExpressCard54 and occasionally a Hauppauge WinTV-1400 for recording some TV emissions once in a while.

    The CardBus slot seems to be pretty dead as well nowadays, but i still use a SDHC card reader and an Adaptec CardBus SCSI controller, which i wouldn't want to renounce.

    Since more recent Thinkpads seem to have finally removed both the CardBUS and ExpressCard options, i will rather stick with my good old T61 instead of moving on. I would dearly regret changing to any newer "modern" machine not capable of supporting these options anymore.
     
    cypherpunk, Aug 22, 2011
    #6
  7. ComputerNewb

    ComputerNewb Notebook Consultant

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    eGPU--Vidock. 5-10 years time, you get another laptop. You can use your old thinkpad as a desktop replacement and hookup a Vidock and play current games or get the most out of professional software.
     
    ComputerNewb, Aug 22, 2011
    #7
  8. c17chief

    c17chief Notebook Consultant

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    expresscard is near the top of the list for me with laptop features. I use a smartcard reader (not the overpriced lenovo option) and use it often. Sure there are USB ones, but the expresscard types are nice in that you can leave it installed in the slot vs carrying an extra part around and using up a usb port.
     
    c17chief, Aug 22, 2011
    #8
  9. miro_gt

    miro_gt Notebook Deity

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    miro_gt, Aug 22, 2011
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  10. MidnightSun

    MidnightSun Emodicon

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    The Tx10 generation removed the PCMCIA slot, but ExpressCard is still standard on the core Tx20, W520, and X220 Thinkpads. As mentioned, probably the most exciting use for EC right now is an external GPU hookup, but you can also add USB 3.0 and eSATA ports if you choose (there are some nice, inexpensive adapters that are flush).
     
    MidnightSun, Aug 22, 2011
    #10
  11. kns

    kns Notebook Evangelist

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    I use a 2 USB port card which is very useful when I need to plug more than 3 USB devices. So what do we do if there is no card slot? I'm not up to the current development. :p
     
    kns, Aug 23, 2011
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  12. bleungzorz

    bleungzorz Newbie

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    is the expresscard slot the thing on the left side of the keyboard near the USB thing? I always though that was a cardbus slot.

    if not, im getting myself a CF card reader!
     
    bleungzorz, Aug 23, 2011
    #12