ExpressCard/34?

[ptantra]

I'm looking to buy a gadget that uses an ExpressCard/34 interface. I have an X61T and according to the TABook, the X61T has a PC Card slot that accepts "One Type I or one Type II, CardBus Plus (34mm ExpressCard via adapter)."

I don't have the box with me, but was there a 34mm ExpressCard adapter shipped with the laptop? or is this something I need to special order?

Thanks in advance.

[jketzetera]

I'm looking to buy a gadget that uses an ExpressCard/34 interface. I have an X61T and according to the TABook, the X61T has a PC Card slot that accepts "One Type I or one Type II, CardBus Plus (34mm ExpressCard via adapter)."

I don't have the box with me, but was there a 34mm ExpressCard adapter shipped with the laptop? or is this something I need to special order?

Thanks in advance.

A real ExpressCard slot gives access to both USB and PCI-E interfaces to the ExpressCards inserted in it. I have a very faint memory that the ExpressCard adapter in an X61 with the adapter you mentioned, an ExpressCard would only get access to the USB interface.

I do need to emphasize that I am not certain of this and you would do well to look into it further, rather than relying completely on my bad memory.

[loyukfai]

The adapter isn't included in the box... At least in my case so...

And as jketzetera mentioned, (it's also my understanding that) with such a PC card -> ExpressCard/34 adapter, only the USB connection will be provided. (a "true" ExpressCard slot provides both PCIe and USB interfaces)

So it seems that, in essential, the adapter is just a PC card to USB adapter with a physical slot to fit a ExpressCard/34.

Over at Wikipedia you can see the photo of such an adapter (scroll a bit lower)... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ExpressCard

Sorry that I have no first-hand experience in this... The above information I just cobbled together from various sources on the Net.

What's the gadget you mentioned...? Anyway, better to ask the manufacturer/distributor/reseller if that particular gadget will work using such adapters.

Cheers.

[ptantra]

What's the gadget you mentioned...? Anyway, better to ask the manufacturer/distributor/reseller if that particular gadget will work using such adapters.

I was looking at the Villagetronic ViDock (www.villagetronic.com) which would've allowed the laptop to run two external monitors at a more reasonable price. I finally got a hold of someone in their sales department and they said the ViDock is their ExpressCard product and that ExpressCard to PC Card adapters won't work with the ViDock.

Their PC Card product is the VTBook, which has been out for years.

Guess I have to give that a shot now...

[loyukfai]

FYI, in the sales brochure it's also mentioned that the host interface is "2.5Gbps ExpressCard/34 connection". The "2.5Gps" figure means it utilizes the PCIe instead of the USB interface.

Besides ViDock and VTBook, have you looked at Matrox's DualHead2Go...? Also, since the machine can drive 1 external monitor by itself, you may, for cost sake, use an USB display adapter...?

But I'm not sure the pricing for Villagetronic's ViDock and your detail requirement (e.g. resolution, display quality)... So the above mentioned may not be useful and/or suitable to your needs...

BTW, there's a previous thread about dual-monitor here as well.

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?p=383517

[ptantra]

Besides ViDock and VTBook, have you looked at Matrox's DualHead2Go...? Also, since the machine can drive 1 external monitor by itself, you may, for cost sake, use an USB display adapter...?

I'm trying to run two external 1600x1200 monitors with one in landscape mode and the other in portrait mode. From the other tread, I got the impression the Matrox DualHead won't support different monitor orientations.

I haven't looked into USB Display adapters. I just thought it was a way of hooking up monitors to the laptop. I'll try investigating those too.

Thanks.