The Industry’s First PCMCIA and Cardbus to ExpressCard™ Adapter
Duel Systems, a business unit of Methode Electronics, Inc., announces the launch of its DuelAdapter™ with a new e-commerce website, http://www.duel-systemsadapters.com. The DuelAdapter is the industry’s first PCMCIA and Cardbus to ExpressCard™ adapter. The new adapter allows customers who have purchased laptops with 34mm or 54mm ExpressCard ports to continue to use existing PCMCIA and Cardbus cards.
The DuelAdapter converts data from PCMCIA and Cardbus cards designed for cellular broadband, wireless networking, video, audio and memory expansion to the new ExpressCard format. The adapter works with laptops running Windows XP™ and Mac OS X™ operating systems. A new Windows Vista™ driver is in development and will be available via download from the website in the near future.
The DuelAdapter provides the highest throughput speed for current PCMCIA and Cardbus cards, such as WLAN (802.11x), wireless modem cards, Panasonic P2 and most other current cards. The adapter uses a new Texas Instruments chipset to convert PCMCIA and Cardbus input to an ExpressCard compatible signal at transfer rates up to the full 2.5Gbit/sec supported by the ExpressCard interface. The adapter ensures the highest possible throughput rate for whichever PCMCIA or Cardbus card is used. The DuelAdapter is certified to FCC, CE, UL and RoHS requirements.
Rob Zajac, general manager of Duel Systems, states, “We have had a very positive and active response to our Beta program which reflects the growing demand for this adapter because of the large number of new ExpressCard enabled laptops shipping today.”
Duel Systems has launched a new e-commerce website at http://www.duel-systemsadapters.com and is taking advance orders for the DuelAdapter starting March 7, 2007. The DuelAdapter has a suggested retail price of $119.00. For a limited time only, Duel Systems is offering a special introductory price of $99.00 on advance orders placed through March 31, 2007. The DuelAdapter will also be available through select re-sellers in North America and Europe.
Duel Systems is a leader in the design, development, and application of sonically welded metal and plastic frame kits used in telecommunications, data communications, and various other industries. Products include ExpressCard, PCMCIA, compact flash, adapters, miniature cards, and cost-effective, highly reliable customer-specific packaging designs. The company is a pioneer in the use of sonic welding to assemble PC Cards and continues to hold the original patents on this key process. Duel Systems is located in San Jose, California and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Methode Electronics, Inc. Further information can be found at Duel’s website: http://www.duel-systems.com.
Methode Electronics, Inc. (NASDAQ: METH) is a global manufacturer of electronic component and subsystem devices. Methode designs, manufactures and markets devices employing electrical, electronic, wireless, sensing and optical technologies. Methode’s components are found in the primary end markets of the automotive, communications (including information processing and storage, networking equipment, wireless and terrestrial voice/data systems), military, aerospace, rail and other transportation industries; and the consumer, safety, medical, and industrial equipment markets. Further information can be found at Methode’s website: http://www.methode.com.
