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PDFQ: Will my laptop computer work with ExpressCard MXI?
A: ExpressCard MXI expands your host computer’s PCI Express bus hierarchy. Most laptop computers will work with a single segment PXI chassis (8 slots or less).
Note: Computers that have Advanced State Power Management (ASPM) will not work with the PXI-1033 (PXI Chassis with Integrated MXI-Express Controller). This was a feature enabled in most Dell laptops but current BIOS updates fixes the problem. If youre computer has ASPM enabled, you can use a PXI-1036 chassis with the NI PXI-ExpressCard 8360 (Laptop control of PXI with ExpressCard). We are working on some design changes to support ASPM with the PXI-1033.
Q: When do I need to refer to the ExpressCard MXI compatibility list?
A: More complicated remote systems comprised of PXI Express chassis, multiple chassis, multi-segment chassis (more than 8 slots) or boards with PCI bridges can add additional PCI busses. Some host laptop computers may not enumerate these busses or assign resources as per the PCI Specification. The computer testing done by National Instruments is intended to test complex PXI remote system hierarchies to help ensure a given host will enumerate a large PXI system.
Q: What laptop computers have been tested with complex hierarchies?
A: The table below lists laptop computers that have been formally tested by National Instruments for functionality with the NI ExpressCard MXI host adapter and the PXI-8360 or PXIe-8360.
Q: What if the exact model of laptop computer isn’t listed here?
A: If you are using a simple PXI system, your laptop computer will likely work with ExpressCard MXI expansion solutions. Additionally, laptop computers by the same manufacturer and of the same family as those that are recommended below are likely to work with ExpressCard MXI. If you would like further explanation or have a system that you are interested in National Instruments testing, please contact National Instrument’s support group at ni.com/support. For additional information on MXI compatibility, see the KnowledgeBases linked below.
Note: To formally recommend a laptop or desktop computer, it must be thoroughly tested by National Instruments. For more information, see KnowledgeBase 3U7CI4D8: What PCs have been tested with National Instrument's PXI MXI products.This is the list of laptops that have been tested by National Instruments for functionality with the NI Expresscard MXI controller and the PXI-8360 and PXIe-8360. For additional information on MXI compatibility, see the Knowledgebases linked below.
| Brand | Model | Recommend for PXI? | Recommend for PXI Express? | Recommended for PXI-1033? | Notes |
| Dell | D830 | Yes | Yes | Yes | With BIOS A04 released 8/22/2007 |
| Dell | D820 | Yes | Yes | Yes | With BIOS A07 released 6/26/2007 |
| Dell | E1505 | Yes | Yes | Yes | With BIOS A07 released 7/17/2007 |
| Dell | 6400 | Yes | Yes | Yes | With BIOS A07 released 7/17/2007 |
| Dell | XPS M1210 | Yes | Yes | Yes | With BIOS A08 released 7/24/2007 |
| Compaq | Presario X6000 | Yes | Yes | Yes |  |
| HP | Pavilion zd8000 | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| HP | Compaq nx6325 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Does not boot if the ExpressCard is plugged-in without a chassis |
| Toshiba | Tecra M5-TS1412 | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| Acer | Aspire 5680 | Yes | Yes | Yes | I/O Space Limitation of 8 KB |
| Dell | E1405 | Yes | Yes | No | |
| Dell | Inspiron 640m | Yes | Yes | No | |
| Dell | Inspiron 630m | Yes | Yes | No | |
| Dell | XPS M140 | Yes | Yes | No | |
| HP | Pavilion dv1000t | Yes | Yes | No | |
| HP | Pavilion dv4000 | Yes* | No | Yes | * Only supported in 8-slot chassis or smaller |
| HP | Compaq nc6320 | Yes* | No | Yes | * Only supported in 8-slot chassis or smaller |
| Fujitsu | Lifebook E8210 | Yes* | No* | - | * You must disable onboard wireless LAN support and are limited to 10 PCI bus segments. |
| Fujitsu | Lifebook E8110 | - | - | Yes | |
| Acer | Aspire 5670 | No | No | Yes | |
| Acer | Aspire 9500 | - | - | Yes | |
| HP | zv6000 | No | No | No | |
| HP | Compaq nx6125 | No | No | No | |
| Toshiba | Qosmio G25 | No | No | No | |
| Toshiba | Techra A4 | No | No | No | |
| Fujitsu | N3510 | No | No | No | |
| Fujitsu | N6110 | No | No | No | |
| Fujitsu | E8020 | No | No | No | |
| IBM | R52 | No | No | No | |
| IBM | Thinkpad T43 | No | No | No | |
| IBM | ThinkPad T60 | No | No | No | |
To provide a more extensive list of computers used with MXI-Express, we have compiled a list of computers used in customer applications. This list provides both compatible and incompatible computers and explains the problems encountered with them. Please use this as a guide especially if you are using the same chassis or a smaller one.
Note: These computers have not been officially tested by National Instruments and you may still encounter some issues depending on your system setup. To find the official list of compatible computers please refer to the above table and for a desktop list please refer to the following document What Desktop Computers Have Been Tested with NI's MXI-Express for PXI and PXI Express?
Incompatibility problems are mainly a result of BIOS problems from the computer manufacturer. Please refer to KnowledgeBase 3U7CI4D8: What PCs have been tested with National Instrument's PXI MXI products for a description of the problem. It is possible that some of the problems stated below can be resolved with a BIOS update.
| Brand | Model | MXI-Express host board | Chassis | Notes |
| Dell | Latitude D820 | ExpressCard | PXI-1042 PXI-1044 PXI-1045 | |
| Dell | Latitude D820 | ExpressCard | PXI-1033 | |
| Dell | Inspiron 6400 | ExpressCard | PXI-1042 | |
| Dell | Inspiron 6400/1505 | ExpressCard | PXI-1033 |  |
| Dell | Precision M-90 | ExpressCard | PXI-1031 | |
| HP | Compaq nx6125 | ExpressCard | PXI-1033 | |
| Apple | MacBook | ExpressCard | PXI-1031 PXI-1033 | |
| Apple | MacBook Pro | ExpressCard | PXI-1033 | |
| Sony | VIAO VGN-SZ340P | ExpressCard | PXI-1033 | |
| HP/Compaq | dv8135NR | ExpressCard | 8-slot 3rd party chassis |
Related Links:
KnowledgeBase 3U7CI4D8: What PCs Have Been Tested with National Instrument's PXI MXI Products?
KnowledgeBase 3UQD1HD8: What is a PCI Bus and How Does it Relate to PXI?
Reader Comments | Submit a comment »
Dell M90 works with BIOS A07
Just recieved a PXI-1033 chassis with
expresscard. Plugged it into my Dell
Precision M90 and nothing happened. Upgraded
to Bios A07 and it worked fine. Hope this
helps someone.
- Jonathan Bowers, Simplicity AI Ltd. jonathan.bowers@simplicityai.co.uk - Jun 9, 2008
Where is this list?
"To provide a more extensive list of
computers used with MXI-Express, we
have compiled a list of computers used
in customer applications. This list
provides both compatible and
incompatible computers and explains
the problems encountered with them. "
If the table below this statement is
supposed to be the list, where are the
commenst??? Is this a list of
compatible components, or
incompatible components? Clarity
needed.
- Roy A. Kesmodel, Morgan, a Stanley Company. roy.kesmodel@stanleyassociates.com - Nov 18, 2007
List needs to be updated
Like everyone else has said, this list is
outdated. I need to buy a laptop to use as a
PXI controller via ExpressCard-MXI and I have
no idea which one to buy. You simply can't
buy any of these on this list anymore. I was
looking at a Thinkpad T61, but then I see the
T60 is not recommended, but it gives no
reason as to why. I do not have the time or
funds to purchase laptops simply to find out
if they're going to work through trial and error.
- Adam Truelove, Belcan Corporation. atruelove@belcan.com - Aug 30, 2007
Major Incompatibility Problems
We purchased Toshiba Tecra M5s
Laptops which are listed as compatible.
Ran into PCI Bridge Problems that
neither NI or Toshiba could solve, and
wasted 2 weeks. No one took
responsibility for the incompatibility.
- Christopher Cullen, Naval Surface Warfare Center. Christopher.Cullen@navy.mil - May 18, 2007
Please can you provide some 'hard' criteria to select a notebook?
We plan to buy new dual core noteboocks
which will be used with your NI Expresscard
MXI controller. Are there any 'hard' criteria
to select a notebook? 'Try and error' will
not work here ...
- Andreas Hergesell, MetaDAQ. Andreas.Hergesell@MetaDAQ.de - Jun 9, 2006
Out of date list
The computers listed here are no longer available from the
PC manufacturers. With out the required criteria there is no
information available to tell what laptops will work and what
will not. This is made even more confusing by the fact that
some laptops with ExpressCard interface are listed as being
not recommened with no explanation of why. Please provide
the required ExpressCard criteria so we can make an
informed purchase.
- Scott McMeekin, Glasgow Caledonian University. scott.mcmeekin@gcal.ac.uk - May 24, 2006
Your document needs to be enriched
As the list of laptops is quite short, I
suggest to add the list of criteria which
have to be checked in order to determine
whether the laptop will be compatible or not.
- Laurent SAIDANA, Schlumberger. lsaidana@yahoo.fr - Jan 31, 2006
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