PCMCIA Announces NEWCARD Format

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

PCMCIA Announces NEWCARD Format

Posted by michael on Friday February 21, 2003 @11:56AM from the that's-the-best-name-they-could-come-up-with dept.

schnoz writes "Found this over at DPReview: "The PCMCIA technology association has today announced the 'NEWCARD' format. This new format makes use of PC Card, PCI Express and USB 2.0 technologies. The NEWCARD format is also aimed at both Mobile and Desktop PCs". Check out the rest of the article here."

29 of 184 comments (clear)

A bit short on the info, long on the ass kissing by Michalson · 2003-02-21 12:03 · Score: 5, Interesting

Is it just me, or did that article seem to be more toward executives who want to see their companies name than people who want to know what is going on? While I see a bunch of stuff about how this will "revolutionize" the industry, I could just barely get the info on what IT actually was. It would have been nice to actually see some info like how this USB2/PCMCIA/PCI connection is going to work or what it will look like? Is it something where you buy an adapter cable depending on which of the three you're plugging it into?
The photo by Tri0de · 2003-02-21 12:05 · Score: 3, Interesting

shows a unit labled 'Single Wide'. I wonder what that implies for the future, and if it refers to physical size or data bus size

--
"Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts."
What I figured by hackwrench · 2003-02-21 12:07 · Score: 3, Interesting

Its just a way for manufacturers who make USB format devices to quickly retool their devices to work in a PCMCIA format.
Card-based computer by Pyrosophy · 2003-02-21 12:09 · Score: 4, Interesting

I've always thought it would be really neat if someone could make a basically PCMCIA based computer. No PCI slots, no need to open up your computer -- just a slot in the front of the computer where you could insert a new card that gets automatically plugged in, enabling pre-existing ports on the back of one's box.

Instead of having to make users deal with a modem PCI card, a network PCI card, sound card, etc, all they would need to do to upgrade is eject one of the old PCMCIA cards and load a new one like one loads a video tape.

I'm not saying this would be easy or compatible with existing OSs, but it sure would be cool.
1. Re:Card-based computer by Ducky · 2003-02-21 12:21 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  I've always wanted something like this. PCI is nice, but the whole edge card + screw mounting design carried over from the ISA days always bothered me. Not necessarily PCMCIA, but some end-user friendly form factor that I wouldn't need a static bag and a screew driver for.
  
  The problem with PCMCIA is it's slow compared to PCI and AGP. It was designed for reduced size, not raw performace. But a PCMCIA based machine would at least be a start.
  
  Hard drives are just now starting to lose the ribbon cable in consumer models (Serial ATA), so I'm not going to hold my breath or anything for something only the 2 of us want. =D
  -Ducky
2. Re:Card-based computer by infiniti99 · 2003-02-21 12:22 · Score: 4, Informative
  
  Actually, I don't see why it wouldn't be compatible with current software. Most OSs already can handle hot-swapping of PCMCIA / USB devices, certainly they could easily handle an entire system of similar devices.
  
  I could swear I read something about an entirely card-based computer maybe 6 years ago. I remember retelling what I had read to friends over and over, about the possibility of easily installing all of your hardware by just sliding it into some external slot.
  
  Everytime I install hardware into current PCs, I always end up losing screws or cutting my hands on those metal spikes that line the bottom of PCI cards. If I dread installing hardware into my own PC, how could anyone expect normal folks like my mom to be able to do it? It's clear we have a long way to go. Everything should be as easy as PCMCIA.
3. Re:Card-based computer by rcw-home · 2003-02-21 12:24 · Score: 5, Informative
  
  The problem with PCMCIA is it's slow compared to PCI and AGP.
  PCMCIA is ISA. Cardbus is PCI.
4. Re:Card-based computer by red_dragon · 2003-02-21 12:44 · Score: 5, Interesting
  
  IBM once made a PCMCIA-based desktop computer, the PS/2E, which was basically a Thinkpad built into a pizza box chassis. The machine was designed as a "green computer", meaning that it'd consume as little power as possible. It came with four PCMCIA slots built into the back, but the rest was pretty middle-of-the-road: XGA2 graphics, 486SLC2 processor, and an IDE disk interface. As you might imagine, they didn't sell too well.
  
  --
  In Soviet Russia, Jesus asks: "What Would You Do?"
Re:A bit short on the info, long on the ass kissin by Anonymous Coward · 2003-02-21 12:10 · Score: 3, Insightful

Umm, well it IS just a press release, so...
Re:So small by baxissimo · 2003-02-21 12:10 · Score: 3, Informative

Read the article. They've made it possible to cram 2 cards in one slot by making a half-width card. Standard size cards aren't being eliminated.
Newcard by SILIZIUMM · 2003-02-21 12:14 · Score: 4, Funny

Thanks 'Newcard' is just the codename. Imagine if it would have been the actual name... the next version of the product would have been called 'Newer Card', the following 'Even newer card' and so on.
picture of it by adpowers · 2003-02-21 12:15 · Score: 4, Interesting

Here is a picture of it in an actual computer.
I find this very good... by zoloto · 2003-02-21 12:18 · Score: 4, Interesting

...if companies support it widely enough. It would be nice to slip this into a dumb terminal, and presto! instant user desktop with our personal info on it. Then take it out and carry your stuff with you.

this is just one of the possibilities
It's not the size, but how you lose it by Kaz+Riprock · 2003-02-21 12:19 · Score: 5, Insightful

No, that's not a typo. The picture shows how this thing is barely bigger than a pair of quarters edge-to-edge. Great. You know how often I lose change?

There's a certain advantage to having small media/cards/devices. For example, having a 128 MB SD disk in my digicam is nice. I don't have to have a backpack to store more than 100 pictures at a time. But some of these things aren't even big enough to fit your initials on them, let alone some sort of recovery info if you *were* to lose what amounts to not much more in size than pocket lint.

It's nice that I can take my entire mp3 collection anywhere I want to go in a thimble. That's a real advance in computer technology. But are these guys banking on the idea that I'll lose one out of every 10 to 20 of these things that I'll buy?

I hope any NEWCARDs that I might need or buy come with a carrying case that's about as big as a floppy or CD. I'm still finding jelly beans, pen caps, and AA batteries under the furniture that have probably been there since Reagan was in office....oh..there's my entire work portfolio...

--
Mordor...a magical, mythical land where women are more rare than dragons--but where every man would rather find a dragon
1. Re:It's not the size, but how you lose it by kfg · 2003-02-21 15:15 · Score: 3, Insightful
  
  Everything has an ideal size. For portable computer devices it's about the size of a 3 1/2" floppy.
  
  That's the real reason they became popular, and have refused to die off. It has nothing to do with technical merits or storage capacities. They're simply the *exact* right size and thickness for comfortable human handling.
  
  Big enough to hold onto. Thick enough not to fold or break. Small enough to fit in a shirt pocket. The media itself protected by a shell.
  
  CD's fit none of these parameters. Mini disks would if you didn't have to worry about scratching them.
  
  You don't need the smallest card possible, you need the *right* sized card.
  
  KFG
Excuse me Sir... by greymond · 2003-02-21 12:24 · Score: 3, Funny

"Hi I wanted to get a NEWCARD for my computer."

"Sure, what kind of new card did you want to get, a modem, video card, etc...?"

--
Ave Molech Setting
what does it stand for? by fermion · 2003-02-21 12:27 · Score: 5, Funny

does anyone remember what PCMCIA stands for.
I think I head it was People Can't Memorize Complicated Industry Acronyms?
Any want to confirm/correct this?

--
"She's a scientist and a lesbian. She's not going to let it slide." Orphan Black
Re:A bit short on the info, long on the ass kissin by Dr.Enormous · 2003-02-21 12:28 · Score: 5, Insightful

Never trust a press release that uses "leverage" as a verb three times in less than a page. Unless it's a press release about levers.
that's what most people say by SweetAndSourJesus · 2003-02-21 12:33 · Score: 4, Informative

It's Personal Memory Card International Association, but nobody cares.

No, I don't know where that extra C came from.

--

--
the strongest word is still the word "free"
1. Re:that's what most people say by SweetAndSourJesus · 2003-02-21 12:35 · Score: 5, Informative
  
  Guh, read the first sentence, self.
  
  Personal Computer Memory Card International Association.
  
  It's been one of those days, sorry.
  
  One of those days where you miss entire words in sentences, yes.
  
  --
  
  --
  the strongest word is still the word "free"
Why USB 2.0: such a slow standard? by adzoox · 2003-02-21 12:36 · Score: 3, Interesting

Isn't USB 2.0 already slower than the PCI Express or cardbus i/o?
Why didn't they choose FireWire 800 or something like an AGP type i/o so that video card PC cards could be ultrafast?

--
Yell & scream & rant & rave... it's no use... you need a shaaaave ~ Bugs Bunny
1. Re:Why USB 2.0: such a slow standard? by g4dget · 2003-02-21 13:01 · Score: 5, Insightful
  
  Probably for the same reason why you aren't driving a Formula 1 race car to work: it's not necessary, and it's not cost effective.
  In different words, with PCI, they have communications at bus-speed covered for the few applications that need it. But for almost all PCMCIA applications (networks, modems, storage, etc.), USB 2.0 is already much faster than what is needed. And USB 2.0 is cheaper and more widely supported than any serial bus alternative.
It's just a refinement by Anonymous Coward · 2003-02-21 12:40 · Score: 5, Interesting

Typical press release doubletalk. Based on the "single-wide" (which implies double-wide) and the quotes which refer to two cards in the same form factor as one PCMCIA, I'd bet a dollar or two that:

1) NEWCARD is simply specs for a new version of PCMCIA that allows for two NEWCARDs in the place of one PCMCIA. This allows notebook manufactures to keep their dies the same and just swap out the card bay. If they get cute, they might even be able to make a hybrid version that takes either 1 old or 2 new cards--depends on connector pinouts).

2) Since they will be restricted in connector pin space, they're using a USB2.0 serial bus for communication rather than PCMCIAs parallel bus/bizarre IDE disk protocol. Fewer pins, better reliability and speed.

3) This is nothing more than a packaging standard. PCMCIA is just worried about impingement from Compact Flash cards for network/serial/bluetooth/everything else. Note the emphasis on "mobile" computing. Subtext: don't buy Flash, we're better.

4) (Personal opinion). Unclear to me why they'd trumpet any sort of connection to USB, given the incredibly bad compatibility story it has.
The IBM PS/2 E was exactly this. by isaac · 2003-02-21 12:49 · Score: 3, Interesting

IBM made such a machine - the PS/2e was a low-power (fanless!) machine with a single ISA slot. This slot was almost always filled with a pcmcia adapter that put 4 PCMCIA slots on the front panel (behind the lil' door.)

It didn't sell well, on account of it was way overpriced ($5000+ with a 10.4" VGA TFT, IIRC) - ultimately, it ended up at closeout places.

This type of "slimtop" machine is moderately popular in Japan where space & power efficiency are more highly valued than in the US.

-Isaac

--
I am not a lawyer, and this is not legal advice. For Entertainment Purposes Only.
less PR, more info by Turadg · 2003-02-21 12:58 · Score: 5, Informative

Good summary from the BBC

Techie details from EE Times
Cooling and speed by foldedspace · 2003-02-21 13:45 · Score: 3, Interesting

You guys thinking you can just upgrade the entire computer with a closed up little plastic card, forget it. Gigabit ethernet outruns the 32 bit/33 MHz PCI bus. Video cards, gigabit network cards and even some sound cards have heatsinks and (some even have) fans. I'm having a hard time imagining exactly what this will be good for.
Great just what we need.... by los+furtive · 2003-02-21 14:17 · Score: 3, Insightful

...more dongles in our future. Most if not all recent laptops have built in 10/100 ethernet and 56K modem, as well as USB/firewire ports...there is less and less need for PCMCIA/PCCards of any size at all.

--
I'm a writer, a poet, a genius, I know it. I don't buy software, I grow it.
Speaking of stupid names... by ediron2 · 2003-02-21 15:18 · Score: 4, Funny

Hey, laugh it up about 'newcard'.

Seriously.

Have fun. All I know is any name beats the everloving s**t out of PCCard. I can't count
all the times I've had to break out of a conversation to make sure whoever I was doing
a support call for was talking about a PC-CARD (like a credit card) and not a PC card (like
one you open up the PC and install inside).

Oh god. I just channeled my own voice from the future: "No, is that a *NEW* card you've installed, or is it..."
Old vs. New by DarwinDan · 2003-02-21 15:41 · Score: 3, Funny

So now they're gonna call the older PCMCIA standard OLDCARD?

--
$DEITY bless $NATION