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    Practical applications for PCMCIA/Express slots?

    Discussion in 'Panasonic' started by QldRtv, Mar 14, 2016.

  1. QldRtv

    QldRtv Notebook Geek

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    Is there any practical use for the PCMCIA/Express slots in a CF30?
     
    QldRtv, Mar 14, 2016
    #1
  2. Shawn

    Shawn Crackpot Search Ninja and Options Whore

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    Compact flash card reader.
     
    Shawn, Mar 14, 2016
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  3. Azrial

    Azrial Notebook Deity

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    You can use it to add USB ports, or Firewire to your Toughbook.

    If you don't want to crack open your CF-30 and want to add GPS, it can be done that way. It is not the best way, but it works...
     
    Azrial, Mar 14, 2016
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  4. ADOR

    ADOR Evil Mad Scientist

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    Another option is a external GPU. The CF-29 and older toughbook have dual pcmcia slots. I use one for sd card reader for extra storage. They make some external mice that fit there as well. Just hit ebay and look and and tell the adapters they make to give yourself a idea. I have also seen cd drives.
     
    ADOR, Mar 14, 2016
    #4
  5. kingstu

    kingstu Notebook Consultant

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    I love those slots and regret that most laptops don't have them. I use my expresscard slot to provide HDMI input so I can record whatever I want from my DVR or DVD or even streaming media from my phone (output to HDMI).

    I've also used it for Bluetooth, Firewire, USB 3.0, eSATA, mobile data, TV receiver and to hide money.
     
    kingstu, Mar 14, 2016
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  6. toughasnails

    toughasnails Toughbook Moderator Moderator

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    Last edited: Mar 14, 2016
    toughasnails, Mar 14, 2016
    #6
  7. Shawn

    Shawn Crackpot Search Ninja and Options Whore

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    You guys own Toughbooks and still have money left over to hide? :no: :wacko: :biglaugh:
     
    Shawn, Mar 14, 2016
    #7
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  8. QldRtv

    QldRtv Notebook Geek

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    how else do you think we get the money together for upgrades and more toughbooks?
     
    QldRtv, Mar 14, 2016
    #8
  9. toughasnails

    toughasnails Toughbook Moderator Moderator

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    It also works great for hiding money from the kids and the better half :rolleyes:
     
    toughasnails, Mar 14, 2016
    #9
  10. CWB32

    CWB32 Need parts for my flying saucer.

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    yeah ...
    at least with toughbooks you have a chance of selling one to make some money .
    o_O
     
    CWB32, Mar 15, 2016
    #10
  11. Tishers

    Tishers Notebook Consultant

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    I added a card that gave me eSATA and an USB 3.0 interface to a CF-30 through the Express Card slot.

    For the PCMCIA slot I put in a micro SD card reader so I can copy media files from my smartphone.

    Tisha
     
    Tishers, May 29, 2016
    #11
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  12. Shawn

    Shawn Crackpot Search Ninja and Options Whore

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    Welcome to the Toughbook nuthouse.
     
    Shawn, May 29, 2016
    #12
  13. CWB32

    CWB32 Need parts for my flying saucer.

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    heh ... you got that right ...

    or as rick dees was wont to say in the syndicated radio program he was the dj of in the late 70s on through part of the 80s ...
    "welcome to the nut-hutch" .
    :twitchy:
     
    CWB32, May 29, 2016
    #13
  14. Karl Klammer

    Karl Klammer Notebook Consultant

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    I'm surprised nobody mentioned additional network interfaces yet.
    I've put a cheap pcmcia* lan card into my 19mk3 and turned it into a outdoorsy gigabit router.

    The card http://www.amazon.com//dp/B000OQW4Q8 attaches as
    re0 at cardbus0 dev 0 function 0 "Realtek 8169" rev 0x10: RTL8169/8110SCd (0x1800), irq 11, address ..:..:..:..:..:..
    rgephy0 at re0 phy 7: RTL8169S/8110S/8211 PHY, rev. 2



    * People Can't Memorize Computer Industry Acronyms
     
    Karl Klammer, May 30, 2016
    #14