Upgrading and Expanding Upgrading and Expanding Portable ComputersPortable Computers

Expansion ports are common on notebooks, Expansion ports are common on notebooks, which allow the user to add external devices which allow the user to add external devices to the computer.to the computer.

USBUSB

USB stands for Universal Serial Bus and it USB stands for Universal Serial Bus and it is a very common expansion port on is a very common expansion port on desktop and portable computers.desktop and portable computers.

Mini USB is often found on portable Mini USB is often found on portable devices such as cellular phones, digital devices such as cellular phones, digital cameras, and portable gaming consoles.cameras, and portable gaming consoles.

Firewire IEEE1394Firewire IEEE1394

Firewire is similar to USB, but it generally Firewire is similar to USB, but it generally outperforms USB due to factors relating to outperforms USB due to factors relating to USB’s use of the CPU and total USB’s use of the CPU and total throughput.throughput.

Firewire is often used in professional video Firewire is often used in professional video settings to transfer data from a camera to settings to transfer data from a camera to a computer.a computer.

PCMCIA / PC CardPCMCIA / PC Card

PCMCIA stands for Personal Computer Memory Card PCMCIA stands for Personal Computer Memory Card International Association and the PC Card slot was often International Association and the PC Card slot was often referred to as PCMCIA.referred to as PCMCIA.

PC Card slots are found on virtually all notebooks and, PC Card slots are found on virtually all notebooks and, along with USB, they are one of the most common types along with USB, they are one of the most common types of peripheral devices used with notebooks.of peripheral devices used with notebooks.

PC Cards are available in three standard types (sizes) PC Cards are available in three standard types (sizes) known as type I, type II, and type III.known as type I, type II, and type III.

Express CardExpress Card

Express Card slots are found on many Express Card slots are found on many notebooks and they were designed to notebooks and they were designed to replace PC Card slots.replace PC Card slots.

Express Card sots are available in two Express Card sots are available in two sizes, 34mm and 54mm.sizes, 34mm and 54mm.

Mini PCIMini PCI

Mini PCI is a smaller form of the PCI Mini PCI is a smaller form of the PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) (Peripheral Component Interconnect) expansion slot used on desktop expansion slot used on desktop motherboards.motherboards.

Mini PCI slots are normally accessible on Mini PCI slots are normally accessible on the bottom of notebooks and they accept the bottom of notebooks and they accept components such as wireless networking components such as wireless networking adapters.adapters.

UnderstandingUnderstanding

Portable computers can be configured Portable computers can be configured very differently in terms of expansion ports very differently in terms of expansion ports and upgradeability. Be sure to research and upgradeability. Be sure to research your specific device before purchasing your specific device before purchasing new components.new components.