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Thread ID: 89962 2008-05-18 05:13:00 Difference PCMCIA v PC Card v CardBus A Team (13613) Press F1
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670370 2008-05-18 05:13:00 Hi, All. Is there any difference between these three types of laptop card configurations (PCMCIA v PC Card v CardBus)? I have looked at many web pages including TradeMe sites that indicate they might all be one and the same. Cheers A Team (13613)
670371 2008-05-18 05:28:00 Basically theyre the same thing, but ones later than the other

As it says here (en.wikipedia.org)
Speedy Gonzales (78)
670372 2008-05-18 05:43:00 Thanks, Speedy G.
Is there such a thing as a Desktop internalwireless modem? Can't seem to find any.
Cheers
A Team (13613)
670373 2008-05-18 05:49:00 Hi, All. Is there any difference between these three types of laptop card configurations (PCMCIA v PC Card v CardBus)? I have looked at many web pages including TradeMe sites that indicate they might all be one and the same. Cheers

They are all different in the following ways:

PCMCIA is based on the ISA bus. Also defined the standards relating to the connector type card thickness etc.

PC Card is based on PCI bus. Uses the same connector standards from the PCMCIA spec but will not normally work in a PCMCIA slot based on the ISA bus.

CardBus is the new standard based in part on PCI-E and uses a different connector and card style / thickness to the PCMCIA spec. These will not fit in a PCMCIA slot.

To make matters worse there is a type I and type II for the PCMCIA, which simply means that one is twice as thick as the other and will not fit in a single PCMCIA slot.

Hope this helps.
ughnz (8297)
670374 2008-05-18 06:01:00 Thanks, Ughnz. Totally at odds with the WikiPaedia article Speedy G directed me to, so not really thast much better off! A Team (13613)
670375 2008-05-18 06:10:00 So;
What cards will fit in a CardBus slot (besides CardBus)?
What cards will fit in a PC Card slot (besides PC Card)?
Cheers
A Team (13613)
670376 2008-05-18 06:14:00 Whatever fits I spose

Just make sure its the right voltage
Speedy Gonzales (78)
670377 2008-05-18 06:16:00 Thanks, Ughnz. Totally at odds with the WikiPaedia article Speedy G directed me to, so not really thast much better off!

You are not alone. Many PC shops are not even aware that PCMCIA and PC CARD (Cardbus) are different. To make matters worse many market the PC CARD ones as PCMCIA even thou they are not.

I have three notebooks with each of the different types of cards and it is still hard for many to understand without giving them a hands on.
ughnz (8297)
670378 2008-05-18 06:22:00 So;
What cards will fit in a CardBus slot (besides CardBus)?
What cards will fit in a PC Card slot (besides PC Card)?
Cheers

As speedy says what ever fits. Normally the slots are keyed to prevent the wrong voltage card being inserted and if it does go in it normally will not power up and be seen by the OS.
ughnz (8297)
670379 2008-05-18 06:48:00 Thanks to you both. A Team (13613)
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