Next-gen PCMCIA: Expresscard

An anonymous reader writes "According to this article at WindowsForDevices, the PCMCIA trade association rolled out version 1.0 of its next-generation standard for modular mobile and desktop computer expansion at this week's Intel Developer Forum in San Jose, CA. Dubbed "ExpressCard", the new standard is "thinner, lighter, faster" than the group's previous PC Card standards, according to PCMCIA chairman Brad Saunders. ExpressCard achieves its space reduction by replacing the legacy parallel buses of the first and second generation PCMCIA card standards with state-of-the-art, high-speed serial connections, following a trend common in current computer system design."

Comments

Pointless

[phillymjs]

Today's laptops come standard with the stuff most people used to buy PC Cards for, i.e. modem/networking. What isn't built in already today, you can most likely just add via a USB peripheral, e.g. external hard drives, memory keys, and multi-format media card readers.

Sure, external devices are a little heavier/bulkier to carry around, but they're cheaper because they don't need super-miniaturized electronics to fit into the PC Card form factor. Also, you don't have to throw them out when you break or lose the chintzy dongle and find out that the asshole manufacturer doesn't sell replacement dongles, making your card useless. Another point in the favor of external USB devices is that you can use them on your desktop computer as well if you desire.

IMHO, the PC Card is an idea whose time has passed, and this "new, improved" thing will only serve to confuse people.
~Philly