# USB vs PCMCIA Networking **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 20, 2003, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usb-vs-pcmcia-networking/162901 "2003-03-20T21:27:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![caveman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/caveman/32/7242_2.png) [@caveman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/caveman)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usb-vs-pcmcia-networking/162901/1 "2003-03-20T21:27:49Z")
I have a 500mhz PIII laptop running Mandrake 9.0…for my coming broadband connection, should I go for a USB network interface, or a PC card adapter? ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usb-vs-pcmcia-networking/162901/2 "2003-03-20T21:32:38Z")
I’d go with the PC card ethernet adaptor. USB broadband connections have often caused problems in the setups I’ve dealt with. ---
**Author:** ![LordVor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/90ced4/32.png) [@LordVor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LordVor)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usb-vs-pcmcia-networking/162901/3 "2003-03-20T21:34:03Z")
PC card. More mature technology (fewer bugs), lower CPU overhead, etc. -lv ---
**Author:** ![Whiskey-Hotel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e68b1a/32.png) [@Whiskey-Hotel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whiskey-Hotel)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usb-vs-pcmcia-networking/162901/4 "2003-03-20T22:28:24Z")
Not to mention the inconvenience of having the USB dongle flopping around everytime you move your laptop. PC card all the way. ---
**Author:** ![Whiskey-Hotel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e68b1a/32.png) [@Whiskey-Hotel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whiskey-Hotel)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usb-vs-pcmcia-networking/162901/5 "2003-03-20T22:29:26Z")
Well, I guess technically it’s not a dongle, but you get my drift. ---
**Author:** ![spinky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@spinky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spinky)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usb-vs-pcmcia-networking/162901/6 "2003-03-20T23:07:35Z")
PCMCIA has higher bandwidth than USB (1.1 at least, and I’m assuming a 500MHz PIII laptop is old enough that it didn’t come with USB2.0), also, so if you want 100mbit ethernet, you should use PCMCIA. Granted, 100mbit is way more bandwidth than you’ll need to use your broadband connection to its fullest, but if you ever plan to network another computer in, you don’t want to be limited by USB 1.1 speeds. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2003, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usb-vs-pcmcia-networking/162901/7 "2003-03-20T23:57:13Z")
Either one works fine on modern notebooks. Most USB dongles are only 2 MPS or so speedwise (vs 10 + for PCCards) but this will scarely be noticable unless you are power downloading form one machine to the other. PC cards are cheap ( 40 or so), have higher bandwidth and don't hog a notebook USB slot. That's the direction I'd go unless you want to consider a router with a wired+ wireless option and a wireless PC card for max flexibility. No cable = freedom and no dongle wire to snap or damage the notebook if tripped over. Wireless router and card combo can be had for less than 200. ---
**Author:** ![sturmhauke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@sturmhauke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sturmhauke)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usb-vs-pcmcia-networking/162901/8 "2003-03-21T00:05:12Z")
Also, USB is inherently slower. It was designed for ease of use, not speed. ---
**Author:** ![caveman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/caveman/32/7242_2.png) [@caveman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/caveman)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usb-vs-pcmcia-networking/162901/9 "2003-03-21T03:04:41Z")
Thanks for all the great info…looks like a pc card for me!