PCMCIA introduces ExpressCard Standard 2.0
updated 11:15 pm EDT, Tue June 9, 2009
ExpressCard Standard 2
PCMCIA has introduced the next-generation ExpressCard technology, Standard 2.0, which is claimed to support transfer rates ten times faster than the current Standard 1.2 protocol utilized in a wide range of notebooks. Devices that could potentially benefit from the increased speed include eSATA adapters for external hard drives, streaming media and video adapters, or high-performance storage modules such as SSDs.
The new protocol will support the latest PCI Express and USB 3.0 specifications, with transfer rates up to 5Gb/s. The technology is backwards-compatible with earlier products and does not diverge from the existing ExpressCard/34 and ExpressCard/54 module sizes. Standard 2.0 still retains plug-and-play compatibility, hot-swap abilities and support for Mac, Windows and Linux systems.
PCMCIA claims the adoption rates for its technology are increasing faster than projected. Several manufacturers, however, have eliminated ExpressCard ports from notebook models. Apple's new 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pros provide an SD card slot, USB ports and FireWire connections instead.
ExpressCard Standard 2.0 is now available, with products expected in 2010.
But of course
06/10, 01:04am reply
This is worthless news to anyone who buys a new Macbook or 13/15 Macbook Pro.
lamewing
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2004
But of course
06/10, 01:04am reply
This is worthless news to anyone who buys a new Macbook or 13/15 Macbook Pro.
lamewing
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2004
Obsolete
06/10, 01:43am reply
Apple has just declared it obsolete. Probably because it took so freaking long for these guys to approve the standard. Apple has moved on with this.
slapppy
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Mar 2008
Typical Apple
06/10, 03:12am reply
Apple included the ExpressCard/34 slot in the 15" MBP but really never advertised or pushed the technology. Sure, it appeared in the list of specs, but that's it.
Their excuse was that fewer than 10% of owners used the slot. DUH. Who knew it was there or what to do with it? The old PC Card (PCMCIA) slot suffered essentially the same fate.
There's ONE ExpressCard/34 card in the Apple Store (an eSATA card). There are various card readers and solid state storage available... NONE in the Apple Store. What does Apple expect?
I guess this is the downside of "lifestyle" vs. substance advertising.
JeffHarris
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Oct 1999
Worthwhile for speed...
06/10, 06:50am reply
...vs the convenience of FW800 although drivers especially for booting off external drives on the mac have proven challenging - seeming especially suitable for cost effective external RAID it can easily push the limits of MBP bus speed when an SSD is too small...
bobolicious
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2002
Tell Apple
06/10, 12:21pm reply
Seriously... Don't just vent here, let them know that we want our Pro laptops to be Pro and not just "Pro".
http://www.apple.com/feedback/macbookpro.html
jwdsail
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jun 2000