[zigzag]

I did a search but didn't find an answer to this particular question - sorry if I overlooked it.

I have a Netgear 814 wireless router that works fine with my iBook. I now want to add a PC laptop to the network. I've read about PCI cards and USB adapters and am wondering: does either one have significant advantages/disadvantages?

So far, the only pertinent comments I've seen are:

a) USB adapters can use up battery juice - do PCI cards use less power?

b) I've seen some comments about problems with USB drivers - do PCI cards avoid such problems?

c) is there any significant performance difference?

Why would USB be preferable to PCI? Thanks in advance for any pointers.

P.S. You don't need to point out how ignorant I am - I already know that. I'm trying to learn as much as I can.

[tooki]

Do you mean PC Card? Most laptops don't have PCI slots (not even mini-PCI).

tooki

[turtle777]

Originally posted by zigzag:

a) USB adapters can use up battery juice - do PCI cards use less power?
b) I've seen some comments about problems with USB drivers - do PCI cards avoid such problems?
c) is there any significant performance difference?

Why would USB be preferable to PCI? Thanks in advance for any pointers.

re: a) I doubt that PCMCIA cards use more than USB. It'll be less.
re: b) Even with PCMCIA cards you can have driver problems.
After all, you're talking Windows...
re: c) Not that I know of. PCMCIA cards are much slicker,
especially when travelling.

USB would NOT be preferable over PCMCIA cards.
Except if you want the versatility of being able to use the USB with a desktop PC as well.

-t

[zigzag]

Originally posted by tooki:
Do you mean PC Card? Most laptops don't have PCI slots (not even mini-PCI).

tooki

Right, I got the terminology confused. Thanks

[zigzag]

Originally posted by turtle777:
re: a) I doubt that PCMCIA cards use more than USB. It'll be less.
re: b) Even with PCMCIA cards you can have driver problems.
After all, you're talking Windows...
re: c) Not that I know of. PCMCIA cards are much slicker,
especially when travelling.

USB would NOT be preferable over PCMCIA cards.
Except if you want the versatility of being able to use the USB with a desktop PC as well.

-t

Thanks for the info. Microcenter is offering an SMC combination USB adapter/36 MB flash memory device for $20 (after rebate), and a PCMCIA card for $10 (after rebate). Before I saw your post, I bought the USB device figuring it would be nice to have the flash memory for the occasional file transfer. I got it to work - so far so good (it does take up a USB port, but comes with an extension cord so it doesn't have to stick out from the machine).

What do you mean by the PCMCIA card being slicker? Why exactly would you prefer it?

FWIW, the everythingusb.com site says that USB adapters at 5V can burn more battery juice than 3V cardbus adapters. I don't know what to make of this - just relating it.

Thanks for all the info - I've learned a good deal.

[turtle777]

Originally posted by zigzag:

What do you mean by the PCMCIA card being slicker? Why exactly would you prefer it?

When travelling, I'd prefer a PCMCIA card sticking out 1/2" on the side of my laptop as compared to having a USB adapter dangling around...
The USB adapter just doesn't feel right when travelling...

-t