What is "cardbus"?

[DWW]

I see wireless cards for laptops called "Cardbus (PCMCIA sometimes on the end of it)" or just "PCMCIA" the cardbus seems a couple dollars cheaper and I'm confused what the difference is?

I heard that cardbus works in all 32bit PCMCIA slots? How many PCMCIA slots out there are only 16-bit? only 486 laptops?

thanks for any help
Big Wheezy

 

[DWW]

boost

 

[redbeard1]

Cardbus was support probably wasn't available until pentium mmx class systems, say 166 and above. It may be more to the "above" end of the scale.

 

[AndyHui]

Please read the AnandTech FAQ: What is the difference between CardBus and PCMCIA?

Generally, systems above Pentium MMX 233MHz had CardBus slots.

 

[WobbleWobble]

Good stuff Andy. I always interchanged the 3 words, PC Card, Cardbus and PCMIA. Now I know better 😉