The format of the new card is dramatically different:
Apple has chosen to install an ExpressCard 34 in the MacBook Pro, the smallest one. So it will nto be possible to have removable 1.8"HD with this format; only the ExpressCard 54 allows it (it was in fact developed for this purpose)
The other new factor is the connectics: indeed, manufacturers will have the choice to use either USB2 or PCI-E, since the ExpressCard is managed natively and will be a hot-plug format.
It will then be very easy for manufacturers to launch compatible products. We should rapidly see TNT tuner, 3G modem or USB2 hub expansion card available in this format.
The speed of hte PCI-E bus will also open the door to other type of cards such as an FW800 expansion card to recycle your FW800 peripherals. Such products already exist (http://www.xterasys.com/e94b.htm) but are only available in ExpressCard 54 format.
An additional proof of the importance of FW800 for Mac users, it was reported to us by one of our readers (thanks Dana), that following MacBook Pro release, G-Technology, a company well-known for its FireWire RAID solutions, have announced the immediate release of a a FireWire 800 PCI-Express Adapter; New Adapter Compatible with Power Mac G5's with PCI-Express Slots. No doubt that notebook-dedicated similar cards will be available in a near future.
