Duel Systems Expresscard to PCMCIA adapter released today. Finally!

[jivetrky]

Duel Systems has finally come out with an Expresscard to PCMCIA adapter (http://www.duel-systemsadapters.com/). This means that those ppl that bought Dell laptops (and others probably) that only have Expresscard slots, can now buy the adapter and use the creative Audigy 2 ZS or any other PCMCIA card they want.

The only problem is the price. I think they are taking their "we're the only ppl that currently offer an adapter" typed attitude and jacking the price.

So until March 31st you can get it for the "Introductory" price of just $99.00! :) After that it will cost you $119.00



http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/9778/duelsystemsmain141bf3st6.jpg

Get the most out of your new notebook and PCMCIA card!
The DuelAdapter™ seamlessly converts input from PCMCIA cards designed for cellular broadband, wireless networking, video, audio and memory expansion to an ExpressCard compatible format.

Data can be transferred at rates up to the full speed supported by the ExpressCard interface — five times faster than USB 2.0!

The DuelAdapter is easy to set up — just install the driver, insert the adapter into your notebook’s ExpressCard slot and plug your PCMCIA card into the adapter.

$119.00 $99.00


Features

* Connects PCMCIA cards to ExpressCard-enabled notebook and desktop computers
* Fits in 34mm or 54mm ExpressCard slots
* Works with standard 32-Bit CardBus cards and 16-Bit PCMCIA cards
* Data transfer rate up to ExpressCard maximum, limited by PCMCIA card application
* Windows XP and Mac OS X compatible
* Easy driver installation and set up
* Convenient 2-part module with cable for easy desktop configuration
* Also works with CompactFlash, Memory Stick, Smart Media,
* MMC and SD cards using suitable adapter (available separately)

Specifications

System Requirements

* Windows XP, or Mac OS X 10.4.8
* 34mm or 54mm ExpressCard slot

Computer and ExpressCard Slot Compatibility
Works with computers equipped with a standard 34mm or 54mm ExpressCard slot

PCMCIA Card Compatibility

* 32-Bit CardBus PC Cards
* 16-Bit PCMCIA cards
* Wide Area Network cellular cards
* Memory cards
* 802.11a/b/g wireless LAN cards
* Ethernet LAN cards
* ATA cards
* Port expansion cards
* Modem cards

Power Requirements
Meets all PCMCIA and ExpressCard requirements

The DuelAdapter Package Contains

* PCMCIA to ExpressCard Adapter
* Driver CD-ROM
* Install Guide
* 1-year limited warranty and support card
* Product registration card


Notice to Customers Running Mac OS X: Due to a peripherals management limitation in Mac OS X, your MacBook Pro or other Apple computer must be restarted before inserting or reinserting the DuelAdapter into the ExpressCard card slot on your computer. We are actively working with Apple and expect to have this situation corrected in a future Mac OS X release. Please check the Drivers page on this web site for updates.

[ozzlo]

I have never liked pcmcia myself... I can't speak for others but nowadays unless you want a external soundcard or a card reader, there's not much going for pcmcia nowadays... USB devices have pretty much taken over...

[jivetrky]

I have never liked pcmcia myself... I can't speak for others but nowadays unless you want a external soundcard or a card reader, there's not much going for pcmcia nowadays... USB devices have pretty much taken over...

Well I know when I was interested in a device like this, the PCMCIA sound card was the only thing I was really interested in. I had a USB Audigy 2 NX sound card and didn't like it because it uses so many resources. on my Core Duo 1.83Ghz it would hover between 10 and 20% CPU usage when I was just playing MP3's!

I think most other things people would want to use are already available in Expresscard. But the soundcard is a big one IMO, so that's why I thought this was a great idea. Unfortunatley it's so expensive that I think it won't hardly sell. (Maybe just to the rich ppl that buy boutique or XPS systems)

I think if they were reasonably priced, they might sell a lot of them. But as I said, I don't think that would happen.

[ozzlo]

the expense makes it seem more reasonable to get a laptop that has a better sound card from the get-go... My xps1210 has got a step up from the ordinary laptop soundcard and suits my needs just fine.

[jivetrky]

the expense makes it seem more reasonable to get a laptop that has a better sound card from the get-go... My xps1210 has got a step up from the ordinary laptop soundcard and suits my needs just fine.


I'm pretty sure my E1705 had the same sound as the XPS's ...and yes it was good, but in my case, I needed a second sound card for the occasional DJing that I do. And I wanted a good one.