SideCar notebook compatibility
Apple PowerBook compatibility
The SideCar Mac is certified for compatibility with all Apple PowerBook G4 notebooks, as long as the PowerBook has a PC Card slot. (Some recent 12-inch models do not.) Apple PowerBook G3 notebooks are also compatible.
Full compatibility is dependent upon the version of Mac OS. Mac OS 9.X is compatible, as is Mac OS X v10.2.2 and later. However versions of Mac OS X prior to v10.2.2 are incompatible. (Customers can easily upgrade their Mac OS if necessary.)
Windows notebook compatibility
Compatibility: a notebook CardBus controller question
The majority of corporate Windows XP / 2000 notebooks are compatible with our SideCar product line. However, some notebooks are incompatible, particularly "budget" consumer notebooks which are designed for casual use and do not use the industry's best CardBus controllers.
Our SideCar products connect to notebook computers via a CardBus interface card (PCMCIA Type II PC Card), with high-speed communication managed by the notebook's onboard CardBus controller chip.
- Compatible notebooks must have an available PC Card slot.
- The notebook motherboard must use a certified CardBus controller.
Years of testing has consistently shown that only CardBus controllers made by Texas Instruments or Toshiba have sufficient throughput to ensure SideCar compatibility and system stability.
Ricoh CardBus controllers have always been incompatible. ENE and O2Micro CardBus controllers are also not recommended, due to consistent problems with system stability during SideCar operation.
Texas Instruments controllers are premium devices and tend to be used by a majority of non-Toshiba corporate notebooks, such as Dell Precision notebooks. Toshiba controllers are also recommended, but are used only by Toshiba notebooks.
Digital Tigers can do nothing to improve compatibility with Ricoh, ENE and O2Micro. And since the CardBus controller is part of the motherboard, an incompatible notebook cannot be "fixed" or upgraded.
In summary:
- Compatible: Texas Instruments controllers, used by the majority of corporate notebooks
- Compatible: Toshiba controllers, used by most Toshiba notebooks
- Not recommended: ENE controllers, used by some consumer Windows notebooks
- Not recommended: O2Micro controllers, used by some consumer Windows notebooks
- Incompatible: Ricoh controllers, notably used by IBM ThinkPad "A" and "X" series notebooks.
Notebook compatibility examples
The following notebooks are currently tested and certified:
- Dell Precision M40, M50, M60 and M70
- Dell Latitude D800, D810, D505, D510, D610, D400, D410, C840, C800, C640 and C400 notebooks
- Toshiba Tecra notebooks (all)
- IBM ThinkPad T series up to T42; ThinkPad T60, ThinkPad G series, ThinkPad R series up to R51
- Toshiba Tecra M4 tablet
- HP zd8000 and dv8000-series notebooks (17" wide screen)
- Most Toshiba Qosmio models
- Most newer Sony Vaio notebooks
The following notebooks are incompatible:
- Dell Latitude D820, D600, D500, X300, X200 notebooks
- Dell Inspiron 2650 and 2600 notebooks
- Dell Precision M90 and Precision M65
- Older Sony VAIO notebooks (those with Ricoh CardBus controllers)
- All IBM ThinkPad A, X and Z series
For older notebooks, check our compatibility matrix for help determining the CardBus controller used by older industry notebooks and tablet PCs. (This Web matrix is not current for 2005 models.)
How to determine a notebook's CardBus controller
Windows customers should verify notebook compatibility prior to purchase. If in doubt, call Digital Tigers at 1-800-844-3721.
You can easily determine the make and model of your notebook CardBus controller. Go to the Windows Device Manager (right-click My Computer, click Properties, then Hardware tab, then Device Manager button). Expand the item "PCMCIA adapters." Note the brand and model of the controller (such as: Texas Instruments PCI-1410 CardBus Controller). Compare to the list above.
Tip: In some cases, notebooks with two PC Card slots are compatible only via one slot. The bottom slot seems to have higher compatibility with IBM ThinkPads, for example.
Digital Tigers will test compatibility with any notebook for a testing fee of $150, plus return shipping. Contact support for details.
