Best PCMCIA NIC for notebook...

[Chinpoko_Mon]

any recommendations???

just got a notebook and I want to hook it up to my router for sharing my existing cable connection...

not sure which is the best choice... Thanks in advance!!!

[jarfykk]

if you only have 1 slot, like on my vaio sr7k, go for something with either an x-jack (xircom) or a dongled one (netgear 410tx).

if you have two slots (e.g. 2x type2, or 1x type3) i'd go for one of the many available realport solutions. xircom makes and excellent on as does 3com, etc. the reason for the realport is that there is a) no dongle to lose, b) no jack to break off, and c) it is way more convenient having an actual regular old port than some contraption out of frankenstein.

on my personal machine (the one slotted vaio) i use a netgear NIC with a dongle. for awhile i contemplated netgear USB ethernet adapter but after some research (e.g. requisitioning one for my dept to demo) i discovered some slight reliability issues, but it works well for the most part. that way my slot would be open for my cdrom or what have you.

jarfykk

[Blu]

For those laptops with one slot, I find that XJack devices from 3Com offer the same benefits as the RealPorts. The only issue is that they can break off. But from past experience, if you rip one out, 3com will fix it free.

Blu

[Chinpoko_Mon]

Thanks TheBluGuy and jarfykk the info was really helpful!

and yeah, after some research, I've found that a lot of people who bought the USB ones had problems....

Anyone else have any input??? =)

[Jeffbx]

Actually, I've just discovered that 3Com has redesigned their x-jacks to make them stronger. They will supposedly stand up to a 30-lb weight hanging off of the jack. While I haven't tried that, it is certainly much sturdier looking than the previous generation.

[Chinpoko_Mon]

so would you guys recommend 3Com? or Netgear? or other brands???

anyone know much about the new Type III cards from 3Com??

[Blu]

I don't know anything about the 3com Type III's, but I used the Xircom's (same as Intels) extensively, and they were great. The other 3com's I've used in the past have been relatively worry free...now you just have to get over the price.

Blu