Usages and advantages to dual expansion

[Gigi]

A lot of reviews I have read about the Axim mention that the advantage of the dual expansion slot is that the CF slot can be used for wi-fi, bluetooth cards, etc. while the remaining SD slot can be used just for memory. Can the reverse also be true (i.e., the CF slot used for memory and the SD used for wi-fi, etc.?) Is the CF slot ALWAYS associated with wireless access because it is only available on CF cards, or are CF wireless cards just cheaper than SD wireless cards?

Also, does the option of having one CF or SD card with BOTH memory and wireless capabilities exist? If so, is this the only alternative for those who want more memory at the same time as wireless access with PDAs such as the Palm Tungsten, which only has one SD slot but no built-in wireless access?

And another related question I have is: What is the difference between SD cards and MMC cards? They look like they are the same!

Thanks very much. I hope I have been clear in my questions.

Gigi :)

[Gigi]

Correction: I believe the Palm Tungsten has built-in Bluetooth capabilities.

[nomar05]

Q. Can the reverse also be true (i.e., the CF slot used for memory and the SD used for wi-fi, etc.?)
A. CF can be used for memory. There are no SD wi-fi cards on the market yet, but they are in the works.

Q. Also, does the option of having one CF or SD card with BOTH memory and wireless capabilities exist?
A. Currently being developed and will be on the market soon

Q. If so, is this the only alternative for those who want more memory at the same time as wireless access with PDAs such as the Palm Tungsten, which only has one SD slot but no built-in wireless access?
A. I guess so

Q. What is the difference between SD cards and MMC cards? They look like they are the same!
A. You are correct. They are the same.

more more info see:
http://www.sandisk.com/pressrelease/030109_wifi.htm

[Therigwin]

Should point this out - I have heard that the SD is only for memory as the Axim doesn't the other type of cards.

[commoved]

Therigwin is correct. The Ax does not support SDIO. The SD slot on the Ax is for memory only. Good thing we have the CF slot.

[Gigi]

Thanks to everyone for all their responses.

Do other PDAs support SDIO? or is this too new a technology right now?

Gigi

[WindWalker]

Originally posted by Gigi@Feb 11 2003, 09:13 PM
Thanks to everyone for all their responses.

Do other PDAs support SDIO? or is this too new a technology right now?

Gigi

There are other PPCs that support the SDIO standard, such as the Audiovox Maestro. There are others, but the SDIO functionality is not in use with the exception of coming WiFi cards and a Bluetooth card from Toshiba.

[Fritz]

Originally posted by nomar05@Feb 11 2003, 08:24 PM
Q. What is the difference between SD cards and MMC cards? They look like they are the same!
A. You are correct. They are the same.

Actually SD slot is backward compatible with MMC, but:

1) SD is actually 0.7 mm thicker so that ppl can't accidently stick it into an MMC slot, while allowing MMC to be used in an SD slot

2) MMC's speed is lower than SD

3) SD has a little mechanical 'write-protection' switch

As with SD/IO -- Ax does not currently support it, but our Xscale processor supposedly has the feature built-in. Whether Dell 'can' or 'will' implement it in future upgrades, anyone's guess is as good as mine =)

Cheers.