how to use three slots on the W520?

[dsigrist]

I have a W520 and it has three types of extra input slots.

On the right side it appears to be a standard PCA card.

On the left two types of media cards.

Absolutely no idea how to use these.

Any help?

Dick.

[Q-Ball]

So assuming that you're looking into the ThinkPad's screen as you read this:

On the left:
Smart Card reader.
This device reads cards that are issued by IT departments in large agencies.
Think of them as keycards, because that's exactly what they are- you can then log on to a domain with them.


On the right:

Top: ExpressCard/34 slot.
It's a standard expansion slot.

Bottom: SD Card slot.
It, well, reads SD cards.


That should cover it.

[dsigrist]

OK, that sounds good, but lets go a bit deeper.

I have two digital cameras - on is a Cannon and the other is a Sony Handycam. Both use media cards, but they apper to be too small to insert in either of the two media slots.

Does this mean, that I have to locate a "holder" of some type? If so, what do I ask for - a Sony Duo Memory Stick to SD holder? Since one slot is bigger than the other, what EXACT media card types go in each?

On the right side, the card slot has a large plastic "dummy" card to fill the space. Is it a standard PCIA slot, a half slot, or what? Is this where you would insert a TV tuner card?

I am looking for information on how to actually used the two media slots on the left and the one slot on the right side.

[davidhbrown]

I don't think the left-hand SmartCard slot is suitable for "media." Didn't get it myself; can't say for sure.

The larger right-hand slot is for 34mm ExpressCards. It's a mobile variant on PCI used to connect peripherals or add-in devices. It supports the "2.0" speeds. Below it is the standard SD slot which includes support for SDHC/SDXC high capacity cards.

Sounds like your digital cameras use something other than standard SD. The Sony surely does; they refuse to give up entirely on their proprietary Memory Stick format. Cannon is usually a better citizen of the standards world, but perhaps it uses that xD picture card format that's sort of a half-height SD card.

Either way, try googling for "expresscard memory card reader" or "expresscard flash reader". You should be able to pick up a device that will fit in that right-hand 34mm express card slot and let you read these flash memory formats for about $30 US.