ExpressCard Technology Host Adapters Information

Based on both the extremely fast PCI Express (PCIe) and ubiquitous USB 2.0 standards, ExpressCard is simpler, smaller, and much faster than PCMCIA PC Card removable expansion technologies. The transition to ExpressCard has left many users in difficult situations with both forward and backward compatibility issues. Fortunately, many solutions are beginning to appear that will allow the use of ExpressCards on desktop computers, PCMCIA PC Cards on ExpressCard equipped laptops or desktops, and even USB 2.0 based ExpressCards via USB 2.0 ports. Furthermore, Expresscard to memory card adapters are now available.

Adding Memory Card Capabilities to ExpressCard Based Computers

Memory cards are used everywhere today. Digital cameras, MP3 players, mobile phones, PDAs, and more. Many people used fast and portable PCMCIA PC Card to memory card media adapters in the past to share data between mobile devices and laptop computers. Now that many laptops feature ExpressCard instead of PC Card, a new generation of memory card adapters are available.

PCIe based ExpressCard to CompactFlash Memory Card Adapters

PCIe ExpressCard 34 to CompactFlash Adapter

Blast past the limitations of USB 2.0 based ExpressCard adapters! CFExpressPro+ uses the 2.5Gbps PCIe portion of the ExpressCard standard and works with either ExpressCard 34 or 54 slots. Perfect for digital photographers, the CFExpressPro+ PCIe ExpressCard to CompactFlash adapter provides the fastest access to CompactFlash in both PIO and UDMA modes, taking full advantage of the new Lexar UDMA 300X and SanDisk Extreme Ducati Edition cards. CFExpressPro+ slides into a ExpressCard slots on notebooks, MacBook Pros, and specially equipped desktop computers and supports Mac OS X 10.4 or later, Windows XP, and Windows Vista.

ExpressCard to CompactFlash Memory Card Adapters

ExpressCard to CompactFlash Memory Card Adapters allow speedy and reliable access to data stored on CompactFlash memory media cards. These devices are perfect for digital photographers since they support PIO though Mode 6 and DMA through Mode 4, meaning they take full advantage the newer UDMA4 CompactFlash Cards like Lexar Professional UDMA 300x, and SanDisk Extreme® IV CompactFlash cards. For other CompactFlash memory card users, ExpressCard adapters allow for fast access to CompactFlash contents with speeds typically exceeding the fastest USB 2.0 adapters.

ExpressCard to Multiple Memory Card Adapters

ExpressCard to Multiple Memory Card Adapters allow quick and safe access to data stored on memory media cards. They are excellent for digital photographers and other memory media card users, ExpressCard to Multiple Memory Card Adapters allow for speedy access to card contents rivaling and sometimes exceeding USB 2.0 adapters. ExpressCard to Multiple Memory Card Adapters are light and compact. Many models support the SDCH (SD Card 2.0) standard and SD Card, MultiMediaCard and MultiMediaCard 4.0, xD Picture Cards (including Type M and H), Memory Stick and Memory Stick Pro. Others have added support for microSD (Transflash), M2, and other emerging card technologies.
Synchrotech is a popular source for ExpressCard memory card adapters

Adding ExpressCard Capabilities to PCIe Based Desktop Computers

PCIe to ExpressCard drives provide PCIe based desktop computers complete access to ExpressCard applications. PCIe to ExpressCard drives are transparent to cards inserted, and accept both ExpressCard 34 and 54 cards. No drivers are required for ExpressCard drives, but ExpressCard used with them might depending on the card. An ExpressCard drive's PCIe 1X connection enables full 250MB/s (megabytes) throughput for PCIe based ExpressCards, and 480Mb/s (megabits) speeds for USB 2.0 based ExpressCards. ExpressCard drives enable sharing of ExpressCards between both laptops and desktops.
PCIe to ExpressCard Adapter

PCIe to ExpressCard drives are no longer limited to locating the ExpressCard slot on the backplane of a desktop computer. Newer PCIe to ExpressCard drives place the ExpressCard slot in a 3.5 inch drive bay enclosure, providing an ExpressCard slot in the same location as DVD-R, CD-R, or floppy drives. This convenient location makes it even easier to take advantage of ExpressCard technology on desktop computers. The front located ExpressCard drives provide the same functionality as rear access PCIe to ExpressCard drives.
Synchrotech is an excellent source for PCIe to ExpressCard Host Adapters

Use PCMCIA PC Cards (16/32-bit) with ExpressCard Equipped Computers

ExpressCard 34 to PCMCIA PC CardBus DuelAdapter

The brand new ExpressCard 34 to PCMCIA PC Card and CardBus Read-Writer DuelAdapter™ connects the latest generation of ExpressCard equipped laptops with PCMCIA 32-Bit PC CardBus and 16-Bit legacy PC Cards. A cross-platform device, the DuelAdapter™ seamlessly converts data at the highest throughput speeds. DuelAdapter™ works with PC Cards technologies including: wireless networking, video, cellular broadband, audio and memory card expansion.
The DuelAdapter™ has special electronics which convert PCMCIA PC Card input to ExpressCard compatible signals, and the adapter can reach transfer rates up to the full 2.5Gbit/sec supported by the ExpressCard interface. The simple to install adapter works with ExpressCard equipped laptops or desktops. DuelAdapter™ has been tested with a wide range of PC Cards including: Panasonic P2 cards, and Cingular, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon's 3G wireless cards. If drivers exist on a supported platform for a specific PC Card, then it should work fine with the DuelAdapter™.

Specialty and Unique ExpressCard Adapters

USB 2.0 to USB 2.0 Based ExpressCard Adapters

USB 2.0 to USB 2.0 Based ExpressCard Adapters allow use of USB 2.0 interface ExpressCards via a USB 2.0 port connection. These devices only work with USB 2.0 interface ExpressCards, not PCIe interface ExpressCards, so this rules out any high end host adapters, etc. USB 2.0 interface ExpressCards typically include: ExpressCard Storage Devices, ExpressCard to Memory Card Adapters, ExpressCard to RS-232 Host adapters, and other low speed and or complexity applications. Always check with the manufacturer of an ExpressCard to learn which bus interconnect it uses.

PCMCIA PC Card to USB 2.0 Based ExpressCard Adapters

PC Card Type II to USB 2.0 Mode ExpressCard Adapters allow use of USB based ExpressCards with PC Card equipped computers. USB 2.0 interface ExpressCards typically include: ExpressCard Storage Devices, ExpressCard to Memory Card Adapters, ExpressCard to RS-232 Host adapters, and other low speed and or complexity applications. Always check with the manufacturer of an ExpressCard to learn which bus interconnect it uses. These adapters will not work with any ExpressCard using the PCI Express (PCIe) portion of the ExpressCard standard. Most ExpressCards, including host adapter for FireWire, SATA, Gigabit Ethernet, USB 2.0, etc. will not work with the PC Card to USB 2.0 Mode ExpressCard. 16-bit PCMCIA PC Card to ExpressCard adapters provide more power than their 32-bit equivalents, for ExpressCard with higher power requirements. 16-bit adapters draw a full 5V, ensuring ExpressCards aren't effected by performance problems associated with lower power 32-bit adapters. Another advantage of these devices is that they present only a minimal protrusion outside of laptops.
Check with online retailers like Synchrotech or directories like that at PCMCIA's ExpressCard.org for Specialized ExpressCard Adapters.

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Thursday 15 December 2011