| Yeeeah... That's A Problem | | | | EVDO, EDGE, or GSM cellular internet PCMCIA |
| You just got paid and it's time to get that new | | | | cardbus cards. |
| laptop you've been dreaming of. So you head off | | | | EVDO Wireless Router |
| to the store, pick up your new (insert brand | | | | There are several potential solutions to this issue. |
| name here) laptop and bring it home to check out | | | | The first would be to buy a specially designed |
| your spoils. You're thrilled when everything works | | | | stand-alone router with a cardbus slot specifically |
| great, until you try to plug in your cellular internet | | | | intended for a wireless internet card. This router |
| PCMCIA card. Then you realize that the card | | | | takes the cellular signal from the aircard and |
| won't fit! What's to be done? | | | | converts it into a WiFi signal that can be picked up |
| ExpressCard Muscling In | | | | by a standard 802.11b/g wireless adapter. The 3G |
| This is a scenario that is becoming more and | | | | Phoebus is in this class of router. |
| more common as computer manufacturers roll | | | | ExpressCard to PCMCIA |
| out new laptops using the newer, faster | | | | Another solution is to use an ExpressCard to |
| ExpressCard standard. And along with the advent | | | | PCMCIA adapter. This adapter plugs into your |
| of this new technology comes the demise of the | | | | available ExpressCard slot, and allows you to |
| PCMCIA standard, which will become more and | | | | connect your wireless aircard (via an attached |
| more rare. Although the ExpressCard offers | | | | cable and receiver) to your laptop. |
| significantly faster speeds and a more compact | | | | USB to Cardbus Adapter |
| form, which will help to keep laptop design slim, | | | | The best available solution for this problem is to |
| the rapidity of the rollout has caught ExpressCard | | | | use a USB to PCMCIA adapter. This adapter |
| manufacturers struggling to keep up with demand | | | | consists of a USB cable that is attached to an |
| as consumers seek ExpressCards to replace their | | | | adapter that is designed to allow you to insert |
| existing PCMCIA cards. Perhaps the most | | | | your cellular PCMCIA card. Simply plug the USB |
| prevalent issue is that while there are now | | | | port into your computer and do a simple install to |
| ExpressCard versions of most PCMCIA cards, | | | | take advantage of wireless internet with your |
| there are few, if any, viable alternatives for | | | | new ExpressCard laptop. |