USB2.0 PCMCIA for scanner

December 12, 2006 10:23 AM

USB2.0 PCMCIA card recommendations - I would like to run a USB powered CanoScan LiDE 60 scanner on an X22 Thinkpad.

I have read mixed reviews of cards on NewEgg - does anyone have any recommendations?

posted by forallmankind to Computers & Internet (3 answers total)

I personally have had mixed success using bus-powered devices directly off of a PC card. Some cards will put out enough power for some devices, but not others. It's really hit or miss. Since I mostly only use peripherals when I'm sitting down at a desk (where there's AC power), I just carry around a cheap USB powered hub. I plug it into the PC card with a little 6" cable, and then put my powered devices into it. That way the devices are drawing their bus power from the hub, and not from the computer itself.
posted by Kadin2048 at 10:40 AM on December 12, 2006

Using a powered hub in between is definitely a smart thing to do. You could potentially smoke your computer otherwise.
posted by Steven C. Den Beste at 10:43 AM on December 12, 2006

I've done questionable things to PCMCIA ports on laptops w/ those PCMCIA cards and powered devices (those USB powered harddrives).

I would suggest a powered hub as well.
posted by SirStan at 5:18 PM on December 12, 2006