Laptop question

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specs

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If you have 1 pci slot in a laptop can't you use a soundcard with pci? Most new laptops claim to have pci slots available. Eventhough i bought a desktop yesterday i still can return it. If the laptop can use pci slot wouldn't that illiminate the slow usb connection?
 
I think you mean PC-Card interface. That is completely different from PCI.

You would know if it had a PCI interface - you're laptop would be at least twice as big is it is!
 
oh, I see. they advertise it as a pci slot, but the laptop isn't big. They say type II whatever that means. The problem I have is that the laptop seems so convenient if it could handle about 10 tracks(full duplex). But it seems it is almost impossible.


Thanks

Just in case, there are serial, parallel and someother inputs for tv.
I guess you can't get the speed with like a serial connected hardrive and a pcmcia card
 
Specs, you are right. Laptops are often advertised with "PC Card slots" but these mean PCMCIA card slots, NOT PCI card slots. To my knowage there have not been any laptops made with an actual card slot in a long, long, time.

If you are not in a hurry, you might want to return that laptop and wait a few months. Starting this summer laptops will be coming out with the new USB 2.0 ports instead of the older USB. The USB 2.0 is up to 40 times faster, and will make it MUCH easier to hook up external recording gear.
 
also...

there are also pci to pcmcia converters out there. with these you can stick your pci card in a box (they come in multiple slot varieties) which plugs into the pcmcia port. the biggest name i've seen with these is Magma, but they tend to be pretty pricey (500-1 grand, I think). There must be cheaper versions out there, but I couldn't find any.

Also, don't neglect firewire. It's about the same speed as USB 2.0. MOTU makes soundcards that plug into firewire. Even if you don't have firewire on your laptop you can get a pcmcia card for something like 60-70 bucks. These often come with 2 firewire ports too.

-Sal
 
Thx guys. I was going to return my Desktop for the Laptop but i change my mind. Now I have to find the right soundcard for pro recording. Most of them don't mention if the PCI card has ADAT Lightpipe. They just state the breakout has it. This would really tick me off, if I bought one without paying attention.

Specs
 
If your serious about recording than stick with your Desktop. It will give you a lot more flexibility and upgrade options in the long run.
 
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