4. Using the Notebook PC
PC Card (PCMCIA) Sockets
The Notebook PC has two PC Card (or sometimes referred to as PCMCIA) sockets located behind a
hinged cover to allow expansion just like desktop computer expansion slots. This allows you to customize
your Notebook PC to meet a wide range of application needs. The sockets can interface with two Type I or
Type II PC cards or one Type III PC card. PC cards are about the size of a few stacked credit cards and
have a 68-pin connector at one end. The PC Card standard accommodates a number of function, commu-
nication, and data storage expansion options. PC cards come in memory/flash cards, fax/modems, net-
working adapters, SCSI adapters, MPEG I/II decoder cards, and even wireless modem or LAN cards. The
Notebook PC supports PCMCIA 2.1, and 32bit CardBus standards.
The three different PC Cards actually have different thicknesses. Type I cards are 3.3mm, Type II cards
are 5mm, and Type III cards are 10.5mm thick. Type I and Type II cards can be used in either the lower
or upper socket. Type III cards take up both sockets and must be inserted from the lower socket.
TIP: A PCMCIA MPEG I / II decoder card is recommended for slower Notebook PCs
that experience frame skips during DVD playback. It is also great for the power user
who wishes to work while watching a DVD movie.
Upper Socket
Lower Socket
32-bit CardBus Support
CardBus support allows PC Cards and their hosts to use 32-bit bus mastering and operate at speeds of
up to 33MHz, transferring data in burst modes comparable with PCI's 132MB/sec. By comparison, the
standard 16-bit PC Card bus can handle only 20MB/sec. Since the Notebook PC is equipped with
CardBus broader and faster data pathway, it can handle bandwidth-hungry operations, such as 100Mbps
Fast Ethernet, Fast SCSI peripherals, and ISDN-based video conference. The CardBus peripherals
support plug and play.
The CardBus socket is backward-compatible with 16-bit PC Cards serving at 5 volts operation while
CardBus operates at 3.3 volts to reduce power consumption.
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Eject Button
Upper Socket Supports:
Type I, Type II, CardBus
Lower Socket Supports:
Type I, Type II, Type III,
CardBus
Eject Button