Want to add USB 3.0 and eSATA ports to old laptop w/PCMCIA slot - how?
I have two laptops, a newer one with an Expresscard 34 slot and an older one with a PCMCIA slot. I bought two USB 3.0 Expresscard 34s, thinking that both computers had Expresscard 34 slots (should have checked first).
I'm not sure how to proceed to add the USB 3.0 ports to my old laptop (I also want to add eSATA ports to my laptops - I'm pretty sure an eSATA Expresscard 34 adapter will work with my newer laptop, as the USB 3.0 Expresscard 34 adapter has for the most part, outside of the one HDs giving me a little bit of trouble, mentioned more below). I'm thinking of one of two ways:
1. I can purchase an item like this - SYBAUSA - SD-EXP-PCB >> Converts PCMCIA (CardBus 54mm) slot for Expresscard 34mm Devices, NEC Chipset - that will convert the PCMCIA bus port into an Expresscard 34 port, to which I can insert the USB 3.0 or eSATA ExpressCard 34 adapter into it and add the ports.
OR
2. I can purchase an item like this - PCMCIA Port USB3.0 CardBus Card adapter for win XP/ME | eBay - that will add the USB 3.0 or eSATA (I'm showing a USB 3.0 in that link) ports directly via the PCMCIA adapter?
Questions:
1. Will either method work or will only 1 work? If so, which one?
I already have an additional USB 3.0 adapter card from thinking that the old laptop had an Expresscard port, so I was leaning towards #1, but the more I read and think about it, I'm starting to think that #2 is the better option.
2. I'm not sure if USB 3.0 is possible on the old laptop (again, I already have the card, so I might as well give it a shot). From what i have read, it sounds like eSATA would be faster than USB 2.0 via Cardbus, even if it's not the full eSATA speed - more like 2-3 times faster rather than up to 6 times faster from what I hear, which would still be useful for transferring much data off of that laptop onto external hard drives that can utilize USB 3.0 or eSATA speeds.
3. With this old laptop, would the USB 3.0 or eSATA adapter need their own power sources or not? Some of the hard drives I plan to use have their own power supply, but others don't. If a power supply is needed, do you know of a reasonably priced, good option for either or both of #1 and #2 that has a power supply included or that can be had for minimal cost?
I know with working with the USB 3.0 adapter on my newer laptop, a power supply is a must for portable hard drives, as two won't work together without additional power, and one of the HDs (an Iomega 1TB eGo USB 3.0 portable hard drive) doesn't want to work at all at USB 3.0, either with or without the power supply.
I'd appreciate any and all advice you can provide on this, as I'm not sure which option is better or the right choice, and I'd hate to spend money on the one option, then find out it was the wrong option and have to spend again on the right option. Thank you.
Please take care and have a great day!
Joe Chengery III
My free ebook on pancreatic cancer: http://ow.ly/nPVhm Let's help my friend Courtney Reagan strike out cancer!
Are you WORRIED about what wheat is doing to your waistline and your health? You SHOULD be! http://ow.ly/jSIY9 Internet marketer, copyeditor, copywriter, content creator, author - http://www.joechengery.com
My free ebook on pancreatic cancer: http://ow.ly/nPVhm Let's help my friend Courtney Reagan strike out cancer!
Are you WORRIED about what wheat is doing to your waistline and your health? You SHOULD be! http://ow.ly/jSIY9 Internet marketer, copyeditor, copywriter, content creator, author - http://www.joechengery.com