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joe · Oct 6, 2003, 08:41 PM

I've got a new 15" Al Powerbook on the way and was wondering what PCcards are available. The new 15" Al seems to have everything but the kitchen sink (DVI, FW800, USB 2.0, GigE, Airport Extreme, dual monitor support, Bluetooth, v.92 modem, etc). It doesn't seem to be lacking anything in the way of features. About the only PCcard I can think of would be a SCSI card. But I've long since moved away from SCSI in favor of external Firewire devices. So what other PCcards are there?.......joe

Drakino · Oct 6, 2003, 11:57 PM

One possible big use might be memory card to PCMCIA converters. I have one for my Compact Flash cards. Tends to be easier to carry then a USB reader.

Another minor one that I could think of would be wireless cell cards, if any are Mac compatible. But in most cases, a Bluetooth phone would work here.

Last thing, I have seen a video card for the PCMCIA slot, to allow people to have two external displays running off a Powerbook.

nagromme · Oct 7, 2003, 02:12 PM

I'm a big fan of my MacAlly 4-in-1 flash memory reader. (Reads 4 types of camera cards.) You just leave the reader in your 'Book, and slip the flash cards in like teeny little floppy drive. Faster than loading pics over USB (1), plus you can store files on there as well (just like a USB thumb drive--doesn't interfere with the camera function either). Best of all--I can have my camera, my 'Book, and NO cords needed!

They also make motion-alarms for the CardBus slot, I believe.

Thing I'd LIKE in CardBus format:

* A TV and/or FM tuner.

* A little physical notepad with a tiny pen.

* A folding, pop-up, 2-button Bluetooth mini-mouse that stores and charges in the slot!

* A removable, chargeable, Bluetooth remote control for iTunes

Freeflyer · Oct 7, 2003, 03:19 PM

Originally posted by nagromme:
[B* A TV and/or FM tuner.

* A folding, pop-up, 2-button Bluetooth mini-mouse that stores and charges in the slot!

* A removable, chargeable, Bluetooth remote control for iTunes [/B]

Yep I'd think those would all be a good idea. If the itunes remote could work with dvd player as well, that would be cool.

The only one I have is a compact flash adapter for my camera, much neater than carrying cords or readers.

J.

slffl · Oct 7, 2003, 03:27 PM

I love the TV tuner idea. Thats the one thing that I think would make the powerbooks perfect, especially if/when they can fit an HD tuner in there.

bmhome1 · Oct 7, 2003, 04:58 PM

Sony has already announced upcoming complete tv-tuners on a chip for end of 2003 availability, opening up all kinds of future possibilities.

Fellow2000 · Oct 7, 2003, 05:29 PM

Originally posted by nagromme:
I'm a big fan of my MacAlly 4-in-1 flash memory reader. (Reads 4 types of camera cards.) You just leave the reader in your 'Book, and slip the flash cards in like teeny little floppy drive. Faster than loading pics over USB (1), plus you can store files on there as well (just like a USB thumb drive--doesn't interfere with the camera function either). Best of all--I can have my camera, my 'Book, and NO cords needed!

They also make motion-alarms for the CardBus slot, I believe.

Thing I'd LIKE in CardBus format:

* A TV and/or FM tuner.

* A little physical notepad with a tiny pen.

* A folding, pop-up, 2-button Bluetooth mini-mouse that stores and charges in the slot!

* A removable, chargeable, Bluetooth remote control for iTunes

do you have a link to that macally reader? I have a camera with an SD card, would it work for that?

bmhome1 · Oct 7, 2003, 06:35 PM

The 4 in 1 cards usually are rebranded generic manufacturers, here's a good price on one:

http://www.inanycase.com/Merchant2/m...=multiplecards

nagromme · Oct 8, 2003, 01:30 AM

Re TV tuner: if they can make the antenna either a) compact, b) use the AirPort built-in ones, or c) attach to another port to use the laptop's own wiring as an antenna... I'd be very happy!

Re flash readers: I got a good price from MacAlly, and known Mac suuport, but it needs no drivers--so I imagine a generic would work just fine. My camera (Optio S--love it, so tiny) uses SD.

http://www.macally.com/spec/speciali...ing/pcm04.html

It says you should eject the reader from your 'Book and insert the flash card. then put it back in. But that's not the case with my PBG3--maybe they say that because they think you can't grip the flash chip otherwise. But I find there's just enough space to get it in and out without removing the reader ever.