The iPAQ Dual-Slot PC Card Expansion Pack

When Compaq first introduced the iPAQ Pocket PC and its unique Expansion Packs, some belittled the design because of the bulk it added to the slim and stylish iPAQ. But it seems that history and huge sales have proven that Compaq made the correct decision. One of the biggest perceived strengths of the iPAQ is its expansion capabilities.

When I first started used the iPAQ with the PC Card expansion jacket I thought I had died and gone to heaven. For the first time I was able to use a Pocket PC (with the iPAQ's PC Card Expansion Pack) to access my e-mail via wireless LAN adapter (802.11b) and wireless WAN (CDPD) modem. But then, in March of this year, Compaq started testing its "Dual-Slot PC Card Expansion Pack" (Compaq Part Number 216198-B21; $199 SRP; available online at www.compaq.com/products/handhelds/pocketpc/options.shtml). My first impression was, WOW this is big. The new jacket adds more bulk and weight to the iPAQ than the original, single slot PC Card Expansion Pack (see Screen 1). Both are about the width and length of the iPAQ Pocket PC, but the original PC Card Expansion Pack weighs 4.8 oz and is 1.31" thick and the Dual-Slot PC Card Expansion Pack weighs 7.0 oz. and is 1.74" thick.

Screen 1: Compaq's new Dual-Slot PC Card Expansion Pack adds bulk, weight, and functionality to the iPAQ Pocket PC. It is shown here next to the original single-slot PC Card Expansion Pack.

However, it also adds significant expansion capability to the iPAQ. After using the Dual-Slot PC Card Expansion Pack for a short while, I'm hooked on it. I can now use storage cards (Pocket ZIP drive, PC storage Cards, etc.) along with a LAN or WAN card. This combination lets me download my e-mail directly to my iPAQ and save it in the safe, non-volatile memory of a storage card. In addition, I've used the Dual-Slot PC Card Expansion Pack to combine the Socket In-Hand Scan Card (a bar code scanner) with a Compaq WL100 wireless LAN card (see Screen 2) for a data collection device. With this combination, I am able to feed scanned data directly to a server database.

Accepts two "Type II" or one "Type III" PC Card

The Dual-Slot PC Card Expansion Pack ships with a "Y" adapter cable for the iPAQ's AC power adapter. This allows you to charge the Expansion Pack separately from the iPAQ. The package also includes a Type II CF-to-PC Card adapter, which lets you insert Compact cards in the PC Card slots.

The Dual-Slot PC Card Expansion Pack accepts two Type II, or one Type III PC Card. The dimensions of the different "Types" of PC Cards differ only in thickness: Type I is 0.13"; Type II 0.196" and Type III 0.413". Since they all have the same kind of connector, the thinner cards will fit in slots designed for the thicker ones, but not vice versa. The Dual-Slot PC Card Expansion Pack provides two Type II PC Card slots. Taken together, they are thick enough (and have the necessary Type III guide "rails") to accept one Type III card. The added thickness and Type III guide rails also lets the Expansion Pack accept Iomega's PocketZip PC Card drive, which has the body of a Type II card but a guide area along its edges that is thicker than a standard Type II PC Card. Like the single-slot PC Card and CF Card Expansion Packs, the new Expansion Pack leaves the serial/USB connector exposed. This means you can use PC Cards while your iPAQ/Expansion Pack is in the synchronization cradle. For me, it means that I am now able to surf the Web with my Ricochet modem, save data on my PC storage card, and type away on my Targus Stowaway folding keyboard, which is connected to my iPAQ via the exposed serial/USB port.

Built-in batteries add play time