12/14/07 - While many new laptops use the ExpressCard expansion slot, most older note and some new ones still use the older Cardbus PC card design. These same notebooks still provide USB ports and maybe even a FireWire, but if you are missing or don't have enough of these ports for your peripherals, a USB and FireWire combo PC card may be the answer. Here are some of the cards that I feel are the best available based on my research and experience.
1. SIIG USB 2.0+FireWire Cardbus DV Kit
©SIIG Inc.
Most people are probably looking to add a FireWire port to their laptop PC in order to download video from a digital camcorder to edit. The SIIG USB 2.0+FireWire Cardbus DV kit is a complete package that allows one to do just that and then some. The card itself features two FireWire 400 and tow USB 2.0 ports. It also comes with the accessories one might need to hook it all up and edit the video together. A 6-pin to 4-pin FireWire adapter cable is included along with a power supply so that devices can be properly run off the interface card. In terms of software, SIIG includes the Ulead VideoStudio Deluxe software package that is a step up from the limited versions included with most peripheral cards.
2. IOGEAR USB 2.0/FireWire Combo Cardbus
Image Courtesy PriceGrabber
If you are looking to hook up a notebook to a digital camcorder for video editing because you are missing a FireWire port but don't need the software for video editing, then the IOGEAR USB 2.0/FireWire Combo card is probably the answer. The card itself features two USB 2.0 ports and two FireWire 400 ports (one 6-pin and one 4-pin). This allows it to connect with most FireWire and USB peripherals on the market. A power supply is included with the package to properly provide power for the ports with necessary peripherals requiring powered ports.
3. ADS Tech Dual Link Cardbus
©ADS Tech Inc.
ADS Tech's Dual Link Cardbus is very similar to the other offerings on this list. It features two USB 2.0 ports and two FireWire (one 6-pin and one 4-pin) ports just list the previous offerings. This let's it connect a wide variety of peripherals to an older notebook computer. The package does include the Ulead VideoStudio 7.0 SE software package. This isn't as complete as the Deluxe version offered from the SIIG card but should be sufficient for most basic video editing and mastering. The card is a bit more difficult to find and is likely being phased out by ADS Tech.
4. Rosewill RC-603 USB/FireWire Combo
©Rosewill
Those looking for an extremely low cost solution for adding USB or FireWire ports to a laptop with an older Type II PCMCIA slot will be well served by the Rosewill RC-603 USB/FireWire combo. It features the very standard two USB 2.0 and two FireWire (one 6-pin and one 4-pin) ports found on most combo I/O cards. Rosewill even includes a Ulead VideoStudio software with this extremely affordable card. So why is it lower on the list? The card does not include the power supply that is necessary for connecting it to a number of peripheral devices. That has to be ordered from Rosewill and adds to the cost.
5. ByteCC USB 2.0/FireWire Combo Cardbus
©ByteCC
The ByteCC USB 2.0/FireWire combo cardbus adapter is another low cost option available for those to expand an older notebook via a Type II slot. It comes with two USB 2.0 and two FireWire 400 (one 6-pin and one 4-pin) ports. This is pretty much a no frills card as it does not include any additional software packages for video editing or the power supply adapter to supply sufficient power for those devices requiring a powered interface port.
